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Classic Christmas Pinwheel Cookies: Easy Slice and Bake Recipe

Close-up of several festive red, green, and white pinwheel cookies coated in sparkling sugar.
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Make these impressive, festive red, white, and green swirl cookies. This slice and bake recipe uses simple sugar cookie dough, making it perfect for holiday baking and cookie exchanges.

Ingredients

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  • 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 3 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • Red food coloring (gel preferred)
  • Green food coloring (gel preferred)
  • Extra granulated sugar for rolling

Instructions

  1. In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter and 1 cup of sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the egg and vanilla extract until combined.
  2. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until a soft dough forms.
  3. Divide the dough evenly into three separate bowls. Leave one bowl plain (this will be white). Add red food coloring to the second bowl and mix until the color is uniform. Add green food coloring to the third bowl and mix until the color is uniform.
  4. Take the white dough and flatten it slightly into a rectangle on plastic wrap. Repeat this process with the red dough and the green dough, making three rectangles of similar size.
  5. Place the red rectangle on top of the white rectangle, and then place the green rectangle on top of the red one. Gently press the layers together.
  6. Roll the layered dough into a tight log, about 1.5 to 2 inches in diameter. Wrap the log tightly in plastic wrap. Chill the dough in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours, or until firm enough to slice.
  7. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
  8. Pour extra granulated sugar onto a plate. Unwrap the chilled dough log and roll the outside surface in the sugar until fully coated.
  9. Use a sharp knife to slice the log into rounds about 1/4 inch thick. Place the slices onto the prepared baking sheets, leaving about 2 inches between them.
  10. Bake for 8 to 10 minutes, or until the edges are lightly set. Do not overbake; the centers should remain soft.
  11. Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.

Notes

  • For the best swirl, use gel food coloring instead of liquid, as it adds less moisture to the dough.
  • You can make and freeze the dough logs up to one month ahead of time for easy holiday baking.
  • If you prefer chocolate swirls, replace 1/4 cup of flour in one portion of the dough with 1/4 cup of unsweetened cocoa powder.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://daisyrecipe.com/pinwheel-cookies-easy-slice-and-bake-recipe/