Christmas Pinwheel Cookies – Festive, Fun, and Perfect for Holiday Baking
If there is one cookie that instantly brings holiday cheer, it’s the classic Christmas Pinwheel Cookie. With their whimsical red-and-green swirls, soft sugar cookie texture, and perfectly festive appearance, these cookies have become a cherished favorite in holiday baking traditions around the world. Whether you’re preparing treats for cookie exchanges, gifting to neighbors, or building a dazzling platter for Christmas Eve, pinwheel cookies always steal the show.
What makes these Christmas pinwheel cookies special is their simplicity disguised behind a stunning design. Even though they look intricate, they are surprisingly easy to make. Built from a soft sugar cookie dough, tinted with vibrant holiday colors, and rolled into a tight spiral, the cookies slice beautifully into perfect swirl designs. They bake up tender, buttery, and full of vanilla flavor — the kind of cookie both kids and adults adore.
The dough begins like any classic sugar cookie: creaming together butter and sugar until fluffy, then adding vanilla and a touch of almond extract if you want something extra special. Flour, baking powder, and salt come together to form a smooth dough that rolls easily and holds its shape well during baking. It’s a reliable dough you can work with even if you’re new to holiday cookie baking.
Once the dough is divided, each portion gets dyed its traditional Christmas color — often one part red, one part green, and sometimes a third left plain for a three-color swirl. Gel food coloring is best here because it produces intense colors without changing the dough’s texture. After tinting, each dough is rolled into a rectangle, then layered on top of one another. A quick roll with the rolling pin helps them adhere before you roll the dough tightly into a log.
Chilling is the secret to crisp edges and clean spirals. When the dough firms up, it’s easy to slice into perfect cookies that bake evenly. A sprinkle of holiday sugar or nonpareils on the outside creates a gorgeous border of crunchy, sparkling color.
While they bake, your kitchen fills with that nostalgic sugar cookie aroma — buttery, sweet, and comforting. They puff slightly, keeping their lovely swirl pattern, and come out soft but sturdy enough for gift bags and cookie tins.
Christmas pinwheel cookies aren’t just about appearance; they’re a joy to customize. Add peppermint extract for a candy-cane flavor, use gold sprinkles for an elegant look, or incorporate chocolate dough for a festive twist. They’re also freezer-friendly, meaning you can prep the dough ahead of time and bake fresh cookies whenever needed throughout the season.
For families with children, these cookies create a perfect holiday activity — little hands love rolling dough, sprinkling sugar, and slicing the colorful swirls. They make for magical memories, delicious baking sessions, and beautiful holiday treats that look professionally made.
Whether you’re hosting a cookie exchange, attending a holiday party, or simply preparing cozy treats for your home, Christmas pinwheel cookies are that dazzling recipe everyone asks for. They’re bright, buttery, soft, sweet, festive, and impossibly fun to make. One bite into these spirals transports you right into the heart of the holiday season.
Ingredients:
- 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon almond extract (optional)
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- Red gel food coloring
- Green gel food coloring
- Holiday sprinkles or sanding sugar (for rolling)
Instructions:
- In a mixing bowl, cream the butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
- Add the egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract (if using). Mix well.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients into the butter mixture until a dough forms.
- Divide dough into two or three equal sections depending on how many colors you want.
- Tint one section red and another green using gel food coloring.
- Roll each dough section into a rectangle between parchment sheets.
- Layer the rectangles on top of each other and gently press with a rolling pin.
- Starting from one long side, tightly roll the dough into a log.
- Roll the log in holiday sprinkles for a festive crust.
- Wrap the dough log in plastic wrap and chill for at least 2 hours.
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Slice the dough into ¼-inch thick cookies and place on baking sheets.
- Bake 9–11 minutes, until cookies are set but not browning.
- Cool on a wire rack before serving.
- Store in airtight containers for up to one week.
Christmas Pinwheel Cookies
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
- Add egg, vanilla, and almond extract.
- Whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt, then add to wet mixture.
- Divide dough into two or three portions and tint with red and green gel food coloring.
- Roll dough into rectangles and layer together.
- Roll into a log, coat with sprinkles, and chill for 2 hours.
- Slice into ¼-inch cookies and bake at 350°F (175°C) for 9–11 minutes.
- Cool on wire racks before serving.
Notes
Tips & Tricks
- Use gel food coloring for vibrant colors without over-softening dough.
- Chill the dough log thoroughly to get perfect spirals when slicing.
- If dough cracks while rolling, warm it slightly with your hands.
- Roll cookies in festive sugar for extra sparkle and crunch.
Variations
- Peppermint Pinwheels: Add ¼ teaspoon peppermint extract.
- Chocolate Swirl: Replace one dough section with cocoa powder.
- Glitter Edges: Use gold or silver sprinkles for a luxury look.
- Three-Color Swirl: Add a plain-white dough layer for a triple swirl.
Serving Suggestions
- Add to holiday cookie trays.
- Package in clear holiday bags for gifting.
- Serve with hot cocoa or peppermint lattes.
- Use as edible ornaments or stocking stuffers.
Storage Information
- Store at room temperature for 7 days.
- Freeze baked cookies for up to 3 months.
- Freeze dough logs for advance holiday prep.
FAQ
Can I freeze the dough?
Yes — freeze the log up to 3 months, then slice and bake.
Why did my spirals smear?
Dough wasn’t chilled long enough — chill until very firm.
Can I make these gluten-free?
Yes, use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend.
History / Fun Facts
Pinwheel-style cookies originated from classic rolled sugar cookie methods dating back to the early 1900s. Their festive swirl colors became especially popular in the 1950s as food coloring gained popularity. Today, they are one of the most photographed Christmas cookies thanks to their striking design and joyful holiday appearance.
