Name: Festive Holiday Pinwheel Cookies Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 12 min
Total time: 2 h 25 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 3/4 cup salted butter softened to room temperature; 3/4 cup (150g) granulated sugar; 3/4 cup (150g) powdered sugar; 2 large eggs; 2 teaspoons vanilla extract; 2 1/2 cups (353g) all-purpose flour; 1/2 teaspoon baking powder; 1/2 teaspoon salt; Optional: 1/2-1 teaspoon additional flavoring extracts or lemon zest; Red gel food coloring; Green gel food coloring; Holiday colored nonpareils

Jump to Recipe· 3.9 from 28 reviews

If you’re looking to bring a burst of color, joy, and the sweet aroma of buttery sugar cookies to your holiday celebrations, the Festive Holiday Pinwheel Cookies Recipe is just what you need. These cookies are a charming swirl of red, green, and classic white dough, rolled into delightful pinwheels and adorned with crunchy holiday-colored nonpareils, making them as fun to look at as they are to eat. Perfect to share at holiday parties, gift to friends and family, or simply enjoy with a cup of warm cocoa, these festive cookies bring the spirit of the season straight to your taste buds.

Ingredients You’ll Need

The image shows baking ingredients on a white marbled surface. There are four brown eggs on the left side, arranged close to each other. To their right, there is a small white bowl filled with white sugar, and above it, another white bowl with a creamy, smooth, off-white spread. Below the sugar bowl, there is a white bowl filled with fine white flour. To the right of the flour, a small bowl holds dark chocolate chips, and below that, another small bowl contains colorful round sprinkles in red, blue, white, and orange. There is a small bowl with a dark liquid, likely vanilla extract, near the chocolate chips. The items are neatly arranged in a grid-like pattern. The photo was taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Every ingredient in this recipe is simple and familiar, but they each play a vital role in creating the tender texture, bright colors, and sweet festive flavor that define the Festive Holiday Pinwheel Cookies Recipe. From the creamy butter that forms the base to the flavorful vanilla and pops of color from the food coloring, these ingredients come together to make holiday magic.

3/4 cup salted butter softened: Provides richness and tenderness to the dough while balancing sweetness with a hint of saltiness.
3/4 cup granulated sugar: Gives the classic sweetness and helps create a slight crispness on the cookie edges.
3/4 cup powdered sugar: Adds a silky smooth texture and delicate sweetness, making the cookies wonderfully soft.
2 large eggs: Bind the dough and contribute to the soft, chewy texture of the cookies.
2 teaspoons vanilla extract: Enhances the flavor with warm, comforting notes essential for any sugar cookie.
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour: The flour forms the sturdy structure needed for slicing and rolling into pinwheels.
1/2 teaspoon baking powder: A subtle leavening agent that keeps your cookies tender and light.
1/2 teaspoon salt: Grounds all the flavors, offsetting the sweet for balance.
Red and green gel food coloring: These concentrated, vibrant colors bring the holiday spirit to life without watering down the dough.
Holiday colored nonpareils: Decorative sugar pearls that add festive color and a satisfying crunch to the outer layer.

How to Make Festive Holiday Pinwheel Cookies Recipe

Step 1: Cream the Butter and Sugars

Start by combining the softened salted butter with the granulated sugar and powdered sugar in your mixer. Beat everything together until the mixture is light, fluffy, and pale in color—this should take about 3 to 5 minutes. This step is crucial because successfully creaming the butter and sugars incorporates air, which helps give your cookies a tender crumb that melts in your mouth.

Step 2: Add the Eggs and Flavorings

Next, crack in your eggs along with the vanilla extract. If you want, this is the moment to add additional flavorings or a touch of lemon zest to brighten things up. Make sure to scrape the sides and bottom of the bowl to mix everything evenly. This will blend the flavors perfectly and ensure a smooth dough.

Step 3: Mix Dry Ingredients and Form the Dough

In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add this dry mixture to your wet ingredients. Mix just until the dough comes together—you don’t want to overwork it, or your cookies may turn out tough. Once combined, divide the dough evenly into three portions. This tripartite division is key to creating those festive colored layers.

Step 4: Color the Dough Portions

Return one third of the dough to your mixer and add about 5 to 10 drops of red gel food coloring. Mix until the color is uniform and vibrant. Repeat this process with another third of the dough using green gel food coloring. Leave the final portion plain, which will serve as your lovely white middle layer. These colors give you those classic holiday pinwheels that scream festive cheer.

Step 5: Chill the Dough

To make the dough easier to work with and to preserve the shape of your pinwheels, flatten each colored dough portion into a disc. Wrap each one tightly with plastic wrap, then chill them in the freezer for 20 minutes or the refrigerator for at least an hour. This helps the dough firm up, making the rolling and layering process much easier.

Step 6: Roll Out and Layer Dough

Roll each chilled dough disc into a rectangle of the same size on parchment paper. This uniform sizing is important for an even swirl. Stack the doughs with the white layer sandwiched between the red and green layers. Trim the long edges of your layered stack for clean, even sides—this creates beautiful pinwheels when sliced.

Step 7: Roll the Dough Log

Using the bottom parchment paper as a guide, carefully roll the layered dough stack into a tight log. Wrap it snugly in plastic wrap and chill again for 1 to 2 hours. This chilling step is essential to firm the log so your slices hold their swirl pattern during baking.

Step 8: Coat with Nonpareils

After chilling, unwrap the dough log and gently roll it on a bed of holiday-colored nonpareils placed on a baking sheet. Press the dough lightly so the sprinkles adhere well, creating a festive, crunchy coating that adds delightful color and texture.

Step 9: Slice the Cookies

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Place parchment paper on your baking sheets. Trim any uneven ends from the dough log to get neat slices. Using a sharp knife, cut the log into 1/4-inch thick cookies. Arrange the cookies on the baking sheet, spacing them about 1 to 2 inches apart because they spread slightly while baking.

Step 10: Bake and Cool

Bake the cookies for 12 minutes or until they are set but have not browned. This timing keeps the cookies tender and soft. Once out of the oven, transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely before enjoying or packaging for gifting. These final moments let the cookies firm up just right, preserving their perfect texture and eye-catching swirls.

How to Serve Festive Holiday Pinwheel Cookies Recipe

The image shows several stacks of round cookies with a spiral design. Each cookie has two colors in the swirl: a green inner spiral and a white outer spiral, all surrounded by a red outer edge. The red edge is covered with small round sprinkles in white, green, and red, giving a textured look. One stack is broken in front, showing the spiral pattern clearly from the side. The cookies are placed directly on a white marbled surface, and the background is softly blurred, keeping the focus on the cookies. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Garnishes

These pinwheel cookies are so festive on their own, but if you want to elevate the presentation, consider dusting lightly with powdered sugar or pairing them with tiny sprigs of fresh rosemary or pine to echo the holiday vibes. A drizzle of melted white chocolate can also add a deliciously sweet, decorative touch that complements the colorful sprinkles beautifully.

Side Dishes

The Festive Holiday Pinwheel Cookies Recipe pairs wonderfully with warm beverages like hot cocoa topped with marshmallows or a spiced chai latte. For an adult twist, they’re delightful alongside a glass of mulled wine or eggnog. These side options make the cookie experience feel even more cozy and celebratory.

Creative Ways to Present

Try arranging your cookies stacked on a tiered cake stand surrounded by holiday greenery and ornaments for a show-stopping dessert table centerpiece. You can also package them in clear cellophane bags tied with festive ribbons—perfect for last-minute gifts or party favors. Another creative idea is to serve the cookies alongside a DIY hot chocolate bar for guests to mix and match flavors.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

If you have any leftovers from the Festive Holiday Pinwheel Cookies Recipe, store them in an airtight container at room temperature. They will stay fresh and flavorful for up to one week, maintaining their delightful texture and colorful charm.

Freezing

For longer storage, these cookies freeze beautifully. Arrange baked and cooled cookies in a single layer inside an airtight container or freezer bag, with parchment paper between layers to prevent sticking. They can be frozen for up to three months without losing any of their taste or texture.

Reheating

To enjoy your cookies freshly baked from the freezer, simply let them thaw at room temperature for about 30 minutes. If you prefer a warm treat, pop them into a preheated 300°F oven for 5 minutes—this will refresh the crisp edges while keeping the center soft and chewy.

FAQs

Can I use natural food coloring for the pinwheel dough?

Yes, you can opt for natural food coloring like beet juice or spinach powder, but keep in mind these might slightly affect the dough’s moisture and flavor. Gel food coloring is preferred for its vibrant hues and minimal impact on dough consistency.

What can I substitute for nonpareils in the coating?

If you don’t have nonpareils, colored sugar crystals or finely chopped candy canes also work wonderfully. They offer festive colors and textures that complement the pinwheel design beautifully.

How thin should I slice the cookie dough log?

Slicing into 1/4-inch thickness is ideal because it ensures the cookies bake evenly and maintain a lovely balance of crisp edges and soft centers. Thinner slices might burn, and thicker ones may bake unevenly.

Can I make this dough ahead of time?

Absolutely! The dough can be prepared, divided, colored, and even formed into logs in advance. Just keep it well wrapped and chilled. It’s a great way to streamline holiday baking for those busy days.

Are these cookies suitable for sharing as gifts?

Definitely! The Festive Holiday Pinwheel Cookies Recipe makes for an eye-catching and delicious gift. Just package them in decorative tins or boxes with festive ribbons, and they’re ready to wow family, friends, or coworkers.

Final Thoughts

I truly hope this Festive Holiday Pinwheel Cookies Recipe inspires you to add a splash of color and sweetness to your holiday festivities. They’re a joy to make, fun to eat, and guaranteed to bring smiles around your table. So roll up your sleeves and bake a batch—you’ll be creating holiday memories with every swirl!