Day 4 of the 12 Days of Christmas Cookies:
As the holiday season approaches, the warm scent of freshly baked cookies fills the air, creating a cozy atmosphere that beckons families and friends to gather together. Among the array of festive treats, Christmas Pinwheel Cookies stand out not only for their delightful taste but also for their vibrant, eye-catching appearance. Made using a simple blend of dough colored with festive hues of green, white, and red, these swirl cookies bring a playful twist to traditional holiday baking. But what makes these cookies truly special is their versatility; with a change in colors, they can effortlessly transition from festive Christmas treats to delightful goodies for any celebration throughout the year.
In this article, we will delve into the delicious world of homemade Christmas Pinwheel Cookies, exploring their origins, the joy they bring to holiday festivities, and how you can easily whip up your own batch to share with loved ones. So, preheat your oven, gather your sprinkles and holiday cheer, and prepare to embark on a journey that captures the essence of festive baking with a colorful, delectable flair.
Ingredients:
- 3 cups (370 grams) all-purpose flour
- ¾ teaspoon baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 cup (226 grams) unsalted butter, room temperature
- 1¼ cups (250 grams) granulated sugar
- 1½ teaspoons pure vanilla extract
- ½-1 teaspoon green food color
- ½-1 teaspoon red food color
- red (or green) decorating sugar to roll dough in
Instructions:
1. In a large mixing bowl whisk flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt until combined.
2. In the bowl of a stand mixer cream together butter and sugar on medium/ high speed for 3-4 minutes (until light and fluffy). Add eggs one at a time, and beat until incorporated after each addition. Add vanilla and mix until combined.
3. With the mixer on low speed add the flour mixture and beat just until combined. Scrape the dough onto a lightly floured surface, and divide into 3 pieces. Shape one of the dough pieces in a small rectangle and wrap in plastic wrap.
4. Place each of the other 2 remaining dough pieces in two seperate bowls. Add red food coloring to one bowl, red food coloring to the other. Stir each until completely combined. Wrap red and green dough seperately in wrap in plastic. Try to make all three rectangles close in size. This will makeit easier later when you have to roll and stack the dough before rolling into a log. Refrigerate dough for an hour.
5. Sprinkle the decorating sugar on a large rimmed surface (such as a baking tray or large plate). Set aside.
6. Roll out each rectangle into a rectangle about 12″ x 7″.
7. Starting with the white dough, stack the dough (white on the bottom, green in the middle, red on top). Compress slightly by rolling over the dough a few times with a rolling pin. This will make the rectangle a little larger. With a sharp knife or a pizza cutter. Cut the rolled dough into a 13″ x10″ rectangle (give or take a little bit).
8. Start rolling the log from the long side. Roll the stack of dough tightly making a long log. Place the log on the tray with the colored sugar and roll in the sugar to coat the log. Wrap the sugar coated log in plastic and refrigerate at least 4 hours (or up to overnight). Turn the dough a few times to keep it from becoming flat on any one side.
9. Preheat oven to 350°F. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment or silicone pads.
10. Cut the log into ¼” slices. Be sure to use a very sharp knift to do this. Put 15 slices on each baking sheet. Bake for 12-14 minutes. Refrigerate the remainging dough in the refrigerator until you are ready to bake. Remove cookies from the oven and allow them to cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes, then transfer to a cooling rack to cool completely. Enjoy!!
I hope you make these fun and festive cookies, and if you do, please tag me on Instagram @goodeatsbymimi. I would love to hear from you and see your photos!