Save Festive buttery cookies swirled in vibrant red and white with a hint of peppermint—a perfect holiday treat thats as beautiful as it is delicious.
I first baked these pinwheel cookies for a neighborhood holiday exchange and they completely stole the show—the delightful pattern and sweet aroma brought instant smiles.
Ingredients
- All-purpose flour: 2 1/2 cups (315 g)
- Baking powder: 1/2 teaspoon
- Salt: 1/2 teaspoon
- Unsalted butter: 1 cup (225 g), softened
- Granulated sugar: 1 cup (200 g)
- Egg: 1 large
- Vanilla extract: 1 teaspoon
- Peppermint extract: 1/2 teaspoon
- Red gel food coloring: For tinting dough
- Crushed candy canes: 1/2 cup (70 g), optional, for rolling
Instructions
- Mix dry ingredients:
- Whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
- Cream butter and sugar:
- Beat butter and sugar until light and fluffy (2-3 minutes).
- Add egg and extracts:
- Beat in egg, vanilla, and peppermint extracts until combined.
- Combine mixtures:
- Gradually add dry ingredients to wet mixture. Mix until just incorporated.
- Divide and tint:
- Split dough into two. Knead red gel food coloring into one half, leaving the other plain.
- Roll out dough:
- Roll each into 9x13 inches (23x33 cm) rectangles about 1/4 inch (6 mm) thick between parchment.
- Chill:
- Refrigerate both rectangles for 30 minutes.
- Layer doughs:
- Peel parchment, layer red dough over plain, align edges. Press together gently.
- Shape into log:
- Use parchment to tightly roll up from long end. Wrap and chill at least 1.5 hours.
- Roll in candy canes:
- Optional: Coat chilled log in crushed candy canes for decorative edges.
- Slice and prepare:
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment. Slice log into 1/4-inch (6 mm) rounds, space 1 inch apart.
- Bake and cool:
- Bake 10-12 minutes, until edges turn golden. Cool 5 minutes on baking sheets, transfer to wire racks.
Save Making these cookies has become a beloved family tradition—the swirled colors and minty aroma are a festive signal that the holidays have truly arrived.
Required Tools
Mixing bowls, electric mixer, measuring cups and spoons, parchment paper, rolling pin, chefs knife or sharp serrated knife, baking sheets, wire racks
Allergen Information
Contains wheat (gluten), egg, milk (dairy). Store-bought candy canes may have soy or nut traces.
Nutritional Information
Per cookie: 110 calories, 6 g fat, 14 g carbohydrates, 1 g protein
Save Enjoy these pinwheel cookies fresh on a snowy afternoon, or box them up for memorable homemade holiday gifts.