Festive Christmas Pinwheel Cookies: A Delightful Holiday Treat
Looking for a fun and festive cookie recipe to brighten up your holiday season? These Christmas Pinwheel Cookies are not only visually stunning but also incredibly delicious! Perfect for gifting, cookie exchanges, or simply enjoying with your loved ones, this recipe combines the classic sweetness of sugar cookie dough with a vibrant red swirl and a crunchy sprinkle coating. Follow this easy step-by-step guide to create these festive treats that are sure to impress!
Ingredients
- Best Ever Sugar Cookie Dough (or your favorite recipe)
- Red food coloring (gel preferred for vibrant color)
- Christmas nonpareil sprinkles (the tiny ball sprinkles)
Preparation
- Color the Dough: Divide the sugar cookie dough into two equal halves. Add red food coloring to one half, mixing thoroughly in a stand mixer or by hand until the desired shade is achieved.
- Roll Out the Dough: Place the red dough on parchment paper and roll it into a 1/4-inch thick rectangle. Repeat with the plain dough, creating another 1/4-inch thick rectangle.
- Stack and Roll: Stack the red and plain dough sheets on top of each other, with parchment paper on the outside. Remove the top parchment and gently roll over the dough with a rolling pin to help the layers adhere. Starting from one end, tightly roll the dough into a log, removing the remaining parchment as you go. If the dough is too soft, refrigerate for 30 minutes before proceeding.
- Chill the Log: Wrap the dough log tightly in plastic wrap and refrigerate for 1 hour to firm up.
- Coat with Sprinkles: Pour Christmas nonpareil sprinkles onto a cookie sheet. Unwrap the dough log, roll it in the sprinkles to coat evenly, then rewrap and refrigerate for an additional 3 hours or overnight.
- Bake the Cookies: Preheat your oven to 350°F. Slice the chilled dough log into 1/4-inch thick cookies and place them on a baking sheet, about 1 inch apart. Bake according to your sugar cookie recipe instructions or until the edges are set, typically 10-12 minutes.
- Cool and Enjoy: Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. Serve and enjoy these festive pinwheel cookies!
These Christmas Pinwheel Cookies are a delightful addition to any holiday celebration. Their eye-catching design and sweet flavor make them a favorite among both kids and adults. Happy baking!
