Easy Christmas Pinwheel Cookies: Festive Holiday Treat!

INGREDIENTS You’ll Need:

• 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour: Provides the structure for our cookies. For a slightly healthier twist, try using half whole wheat flour.
• 1 teaspoon baking powder: Helps the cookies rise and become tender.
• ½ teaspoon salt: Enhances the flavors of all the other ingredients.
• 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened: Adds richness and flavor. I sometimes use coconut oil for a dairy-free option in my Christmas Pinwheel Cookies.
• ¾ cup granulated sugar: Sweetens the cookies. You can reduce this slightly and add a tablespoon of honey for a touch more nutrients.
• 1 large egg: Binds the ingredients together.
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract: Adds a warm, comforting flavor.
• Red food coloring: To create one of the festive swirls. I prefer using natural food coloring derived from beets for a healthier option in our Christmas Pinwheel Cookies.
• Green food coloring: For the other festive swirl. Again, natural food coloring from spinach or matcha powder works great!
• Peppermint extract: Adds a festive and delicious flavor to the dough. Check out Christmas Pinwheel Cookies Recipe to learn more about peppermint extract.
• 1/4 cup peppermint candies, crushed (optional): Enhances the flavor and adds a festive touch to holiday swirl cookies.

Let’s Make it Happen!

1. Combine Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside. This ensures that the baking powder is evenly distributed.
2. Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter and sugar until light and fluffy. This step is important for achieving a tender cookie.
3. Add Egg and Vanilla: Beat in the egg and vanilla extract until well combined.
4. Gradually Add Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined. Be careful not to overmix the dough.
5. Divide the Dough: Divide the dough in half. In my busy kitchen, this nutritious Christmas Pinwheel Cookies recipe usually takes about an hour from start to finish, including chilling time.
6. Color the Dough: Add red food coloring and peppermint extract to one half of the dough and mix until evenly colored. Add green food coloring to the other half and mix until evenly colored. Don’t worry if your Christmas Pinwheel Cookies dough looks a little sticky at this point.
7. Chill the Dough: Wrap each half of the dough in plastic wrap and chill in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes. This makes the dough easier to roll out. Perfect time to prep tomorrow’s lunch!
8. Roll Out the Dough: On a lightly floured surface, roll each half of the dough into a 9×12-inch rectangle. Aim for a uniform thickness for even baking.
9. Layer the Doughs: Carefully place the red dough rectangle on top of the green dough rectangle.
10. Roll into a Log: Starting from one of the long sides, tightly roll the dough into a log.
11. Chill Again: Wrap the log in plastic wrap and chill in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour. This helps the cookies hold their shape while baking. While your Christmas Pinwheel Cookies dough is chilling, take a moment to appreciate nourishing your family!
12. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
13. Slice the Cookies: Cut the log into ¼-inch thick slices. Arrange the slices on the prepared baking sheets, leaving some space between each cookie. Your Christmas Pinwheel Cookies should smell nourishing by now.
14. Bake: Bake for 8-10 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden brown. Here’s where I used to struggle with my Christmas Pinwheel Cookies – learn from my experience: watch them closely, as they can burn quickly.
15. Cool: Let the cookies cool on the baking sheets for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. Then enjoy these red and green cookies with your family.

How We Love to Eat This!

FAQs: Your Questions Answered

Is this Christmas Pinwheel Cookies recipe really nutritious enough for growing kids?
Absolutely! By using whole wheat flour, natural food coloring, and reducing the amount of sugar, you’re making a much healthier treat than store-bought options.

What if my picky eater won’t try this healthy Christmas Pinwheel Cookies recipe?
Start by letting them help you make the cookies! Kids are more likely to try something they’ve helped create. You can also add a small amount of sprinkles or chocolate chips to make them more appealing.

Can I meal prep this Christmas Pinwheel Cookies recipe for busy weeks ahead?
Yes! The dough can be made ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. You can also freeze the sliced cookies before baking and bake them directly from frozen. For more simple nutrition ideas for busy families, check out Christmas Cookies with Orange Juice.

Can I make these Christmas Pinwheel Cookies gluten-free?
Yes, you can substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free blend. Just make sure to add a binder like xanthan gum to help with the texture.

What if I don’t have natural food coloring?
No worries! You can use regular food coloring, but just be mindful of the ingredients and try to use it sparingly.

Can I add other flavors to these Christmas Pinwheel Cookies?
Of course! Feel free to experiment with different extracts like almond, lemon, or orange. You can also add spices like cinnamon or nutmeg for a warmer flavor. Get inspired by browsing Christmas Pinwheel Cookies with Video • Bread Booze Bacon at Christmas Pinwheel Cookies with Video • Bread Booze Bacon.

How do I prevent the cookies from spreading too much while baking?
Make sure your butter is softened but not melted, and chill the dough thoroughly before baking. Also, avoid overmixing the dough, as this can develop too much gluten.

Final Thoughts:

1. Use natural food coloring derived from beets and spinach.
2. Reduce the amount of sugar and add a tablespoon of honey.
3. Add a tablespoon of flaxseed meal for extra fiber and nutrients.

1. Chocolate Chip Christmas Pinwheel Cookies: Add ½ cup of mini chocolate chips to the dough for a chocolatey twist.
2. Cinnamon-Sugar Christmas Pinwheel Cookies: Sprinkle the rolled-out dough with cinnamon sugar before rolling it into a log.
3. Nutella-Swirl Christmas Pinwheel Cookies: Spread a thin layer of Nutella on the rolled-out dough before layering the colored dough on top.

 
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Christmas Pinwheel Cookies

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Pin Recipe

These festive Christmas Pinwheel Cookies are a delightful treat to bake and share during the holiday season. Their colorful swirls and buttery flavor make them a guaranteed crowd-pleaser.

• Author: Juliette
• Prep Time: 30 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Total Time: 40 minutes
• Yield: 36 cookies
• Category: Dessert
• Method: Baked
• Cuisine: American

Ingredients

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• 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1 large egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 teaspoon almond extract
• 2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• Red food coloring
• Green food coloring

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Instructions

1. In a large bowl, cream together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract.
2. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined.
3. Divide the dough in half. In one half, knead in red food coloring until evenly distributed. In the other half, knead in green food coloring until evenly distributed.
4. Wrap each half of the dough in plastic wrap and chill for at least 1 hour.
5. On a lightly floured surface, roll out each dough into a 9×12 inch rectangle.
6. Place the red dough rectangle on top of the green dough rectangle.
7. Starting from one of the long edges, tightly roll up the dough into a log. Wrap in plastic wrap and chill for at least 2 hours, or overnight.
8. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
9. Slice the chilled dough log into 1/4-inch thick rounds.
10. Place the cookies on the prepared baking sheets, about 1 inch apart.
11. Bake for 8-10 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden brown.
12. Let the cookies cool on the baking sheets for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.

Notes

For a festive touch, sprinkle the cookies with sanding sugar before baking.