Christmas Pinwheel Cookies 

Christmas Pinwheel Cookies 

Colorful, buttery, and festive, these pinwheel cookies are perfect for holiday parties or cookie exchanges. The buttery sugar cookie dough is dyed, layered, rolled, and sliced into cheerful swirls.

Ingredients:

For the Sugar Cookie Dough:

• 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1 large egg
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• Red and green gel food coloring

For Decoration (optional):

• Extra granulated sugar or colored sugar for rolling

Instructions:

1. Make the Dough:
   • In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
   • In a large bowl, beat softened butter and sugar together until light and fluffy.
   • Add egg and vanilla extract, mixing until combined.
   • Gradually add the dry ingredients, mixing until a soft dough forms.
2. Divide and Color:
   • Divide the dough into three portions: one left plain, one dyed red, and one dyed green using gel food coloring. Knead until the colors are even.
3. Shape the Pinwheels:
   • Roll each colored dough portion into a rectangle of roughly equal size.
   • Stack the dough rectangles (plain, red, green) on top of each other.
   • Gently press together and roll the stacked dough into a tight log. Wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour to firm up.
4. Slice and Prepare:
   • Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
   • Slice the chilled dough log into 1/4-inch thick rounds. Place cookies about 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheet.
   • Optional: Roll the slices in granulated sugar or sprinkle colored sugar on top for extra sparkle.
5. Bake:
   • Bake for 10–12 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden.
   • Remove from the oven and allow cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.

Tips:

• For sharper pinwheels, make sure the dough is well-chilled before slicing.
• Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week, or freeze for longer storage.
• Experiment with different colors to match your holiday theme!