Dessert

Christmas Pinwheel Cookies Recipe

ByEthan Lark February 24, 2026February 24, 2026

Introduction

Christmas Pinwheel Cookies are festive, colorful treats perfect for holiday gatherings. With swirls of red, green, and vanilla dough, these buttery cookies are as delightful to look at as they are to eat.

A white plate holds several round pinwheel cookies stacked in a casual pile. Each cookie shows three swirling layers: a sparkling red outer layer, a grainy green middle layer, and a smooth light beige inner layer. The sugar crystals on the red and green layers catch the light, giving the cookies a slightly rough texture, while the beige dough looks soft and smooth. The background is softly blurred with a white marbled texture barely visible underneath the plate, and warm, soft lights add to the cozy feeling. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

2/3 cup unsalted butter (softened)
2/3 cup sugar
1 egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
Red gel food coloring
Green gel food coloring
Red sanding sugar (to garnish)

Instructions

Step 1: Beat the softened butter and sugar together in a stand mixer until creamy. Add the egg and vanilla extract, then mix well to combine.
Step 2: In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, kosher salt, and baking soda. Gradually add this dry mixture to the mixer on low speed until just combined.
Step 3: Divide the dough into three equal parts. Color one-third with red gel food coloring and another third with green gel food coloring, leaving the last portion plain. Wrap each in plastic wrap and refrigerate for 1 hour.
Step 4: Roll each dough portion between pieces of parchment paper into a 7-inch square. Refrigerate again for 15 minutes to firm up.
Step 5: Stack the dough layers with red on the bottom, green in the middle, and plain on top. Gently roll the stacked layers into a 12×8-inch rectangle, then roll tightly into a log shape. Freeze the log for 1 hour.
Step 6: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
Step 7: Slice the frozen log into 1/3-inch thick cookies. Roll the edges of each slice in red sanding sugar, then place them on the prepared baking sheets.
Step 8: Bake the cookies for 8-10 minutes. Allow them to cool on the baking sheets for 1 minute before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.

Tips & Variations

For more vibrant colors, add a few drops of gel food coloring at a time until you reach the desired shade.
Use different colored sanding sugars or sprinkles to customize for other holidays or themes.
If the dough becomes too soft while rolling, chill it again briefly to make handling easier.

Storage

Store cooled cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week. For longer storage, freeze baked cookies in a sealed container for up to three months. Thaw at room temperature before serving. These cookies are best eaten fresh but still hold their texture well after reheating slightly in the oven.

How to Serve

A white plate filled with round pinwheel cookies, each cookie featuring a three-layer spiral pattern of red, white, and green sugar-coated dough. The outer layer is white and smooth, the middle spiral is green with a slightly grainy texture from the sugar, and the inner spiral is red with the same sugary texture, all layers tightly rolled. The plate is set on a white marbled surface, with soft natural light creating a warm and inviting atmosphere. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use regular food coloring instead of gel?

Yes, but gel food coloring provides more vibrant colors without altering the dough’s consistency. Using regular liquid food coloring may make the dough too soft.