Ingredients: 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour 1 teaspoon baking powder 1/4 teaspoon salt 1/2 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, at room temperature 3/4 cup sugar 3 large eggs, beaten 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 8 (6-inch) pinwheel cookies, cut into small pieces Directions: Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder and salt. In the bowl of your electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Add vanilla and mix until well combined. Add the pinwheel cookies to the batter; mix until evenly coated. Bake for 12 minutes or until golden brown on top. Let cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.

If you’ve never made pinwheel cookies before, don’t worry. They’re a lot easier to make than you may think! The gorgeous red and white swirl in these cookies is pretty simple to achieve with my wonderfully easy-to-follow steps. These Christmas cookies aren’t just pretty, either. They’re also deliciously sweet, buttery, and festive with just a touch of pure peppermint extract. Made with just 7 inexpensive ingredients, pinwheel cookies are a stunning AND budget-friendly cookie recipe!

How to Make Christmas Pinwheel Cookies

Beat the butter and powdered sugar together. Mix in the flour, peppermint, and salt until smooth. Divide the dough in half. Add red food coloring to one-half of the dough. Roll the white dough into a rectangle on top of a sheet of plastic wrap. Carefully press the red dough on top of the white dough and roll it out. Roll the dough into a log. Chill the dough log. Preheat the oven and prepare a baking sheet,Slice the dough into ½-inch thick cookies. Bake. Cool, then enjoy!

Awe everyone at the cookie exchange when you bring these pinwheel cookies with you! They’re gorgeous, delicious, and usually disappear in minutes. Consider making a double batch if there will be a large crowd where you’re headed! Be warned – if you make these pinwheel cookies this year for your family, they’ll expect them next year, and the year after that, and… Well, you get the idea.

Can I use more than 2 colors of dough?

Yes! These cookies would be just as festive with green food coloring or even a combination of red, green, and white. For pinwheel cookies with 3 colors, simply split the dough into 3 sections (color 1 section red, 1 section green, and keep 1 section plain) and layer the dough in whichever order you desire.

What food coloring is best for pinwheel cookies?

I’ve found that gel food coloring yields the best results. It creates a wonderful vibrant color, and you don’t have to use a lot.

Can I make a chocolate version of these pinwheel cookies?

You sure can! Instead of having a plain white layer, add a tablespoon or two of cocoa powder to create a rich chocolatey flavor.

Can I add sprinkles to these cookies before baking?

Yes, just roll the log in sprinkles (like nonpariels) before slicing and baking the cookies. Make sure they’re festive colors like green, red, and white. This holiday season, make these festive pinwheel cookies that will have every elf in your house smiling from ear to ear! If you make this recipe be sure to leave us a comment or rating. Enjoy!