Description

Bring the magic of the holidays to your kitchen with these eye-catching Christmas Cookie Pinwheels. Perfect for festive gatherings, cookie exchanges, or simply as a cheerful treat for your family, these cookies are as joyful to look at as they are to eat. The vibrant red and green swirls in every bite-sized cookie evoke all the festive vibes, while the buttery sugar cookie base keeps things classic and comforting.

Whether you’re looking for quick Christmas dessert ideas, easy baking projects for kids, or new additions to your list of holiday food ideas, this is a recipe that delivers. With a balance of soft texture and rich flavor, plus an optional dusting of powdered sugar and decorative icing, these cookies are made to impress without being complicated. A must-try for your next winter baking day!

Ingredients

2 ¾ cups all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon baking powder

½ teaspoon salt

1 cup unsalted butter, softened

1 cup granulated sugar

1 large egg

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Red gel food coloring

Green gel food coloring

White icing (for outlining swirls)

Powdered sugar (for dusting)

Optional: sprinkles or edible glitter

Instructions

In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt.
In a large mixing bowl, cream together butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
Add the egg and vanilla extract; beat until smooth.
Gradually add the dry ingredients into the wet mixture to form a soft dough.
Divide the dough into three equal parts.
Leave one part plain, color the second red, and the third green using gel food coloring.
Wrap each portion in plastic wrap and chill for 30 minutes.
Roll each dough color into a rectangle about 1/4 inch thick.
Stack the layers: white, red, then green. Lightly roll to press together.
Roll into a tight log, wrap, and chill for 1 hour.
Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheet with parchment paper.
Slice dough log into 1/4-inch cookies. Place on baking sheet.
Bake for 10–12 minutes or until edges are lightly golden.
Cool completely. Decorate with white icing and dust with powdered sugar or sprinkles.

Prep Time: 25 minutes (plus chilling time)
Cook Time: 10–12 minutes per batch
Category: Dessert