Save to Pinterest Festive, buttery sugar cookies with vibrant red and green swirls, perfect for holiday celebrations and cookie exchanges.
This recipe has become a seasonal favorite in our family, sparking joy every holiday with its beautiful appearance and delicious taste.
Ingredients
- 2 1/2 cups (315 g) all-purpose flour: For the dough
- 3/4 teaspoon baking powder: For leavening
- 1/4 teaspoon salt: Balance flavor
- 1 cup (225 g) unsalted butter: Softened for creamy texture
- 1 cup (200 g) granulated sugar: Sweetness
- 1 large egg: Binding agent
- 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract: Flavor enhancer
- Red gel food coloring: For coloring
- Green gel food coloring: For coloring
- 1/3 cup (65 g) colored sanding sugar (red and green): Optional decoration
Instructions
- Step 1:
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
- Step 2:
- In a large bowl, beat the butter and sugar together until light and fluffy (about 2-3 minutes).
- Step 3:
- Add the egg and vanilla extract, and beat until combined.
- Step 4:
- Gradually add the flour mixture, mixing just until incorporated.
- Step 5:
- Divide the dough into three equal portions. Leave one plain. Tint one portion with red food coloring and the other with green, mixing each until the color is even.
- Step 6:
- Roll each dough portion between two sheets of parchment paper into rectangles about 9x6 inches (23x15 cm), to roughly the same size and thickness. Chill for 20 minutes.
- Step 7:
- Carefully stack the colored dough rectangles, placing the plain layer on the bottom, followed by red, then green. Trim edges to align.
- Step 8:
- Tightly roll up the dough from the long side into a log, peeling away the parchment as you go. If desired, roll the log in colored sanding sugar for a festive edge.
- Step 9:
- Wrap the log in plastic wrap and chill for at least 2 hours, until firm.
- Step 10:
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Step 11:
- Slice the chilled log into 1/4-inch (0.6 cm) rounds and place on prepared baking sheets spacing 2 inches apart.
- Step 12:
- Bake for 9-11 minutes until just set but not browned. Cool on the sheet for 3 minutes then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
Save to Pinterest Sharing these cookies has become a cherished family tradition, bringing everyone together during the holidays.
Required Tools
Electric mixer mixing bowls measuring cups and spoons rolling pin parchment paper plastic wrap sharp knife baking sheets wire rack
Allergen Information
Contains wheat (gluten) eggs and dairy (butter) Colored sugars and food coloring may contain allergens check labels if sensitive
Nutritional Information (per cookie)
Calories 90 Total Fat 4.5 g Carbohydrates 12 g Protein 1 g
Save to Pinterest These holiday pinwheel cookies add color and flavor to any occasion, making them an irresistible treat for your celebrations.
Recipe FAQs
- → How do I achieve vibrant red and green colors?
Use gel food coloring for rich, vivid hues without altering dough texture. Mix evenly into separate dough portions for consistent color.
- → Can I prepare the dough in advance?
Yes, dough can be frozen up to one month. Slice and bake directly from frozen, adding a couple of extra minutes to baking time.
- → Why is chilling the dough important?
Chilling solidifies layers, making clean slices possible and preserving the swirl pattern during baking.
- → What alternatives exist for decorating the edges?
Colored sanding sugar enhances festive appeal, but you can also use crushed nuts or omit decoration for a simpler look.
- → How do I keep cookies tender without browning?
Bake at moderate temperature and monitor carefully; removing cookies as soon as edges set prevents overbaking.