Be sure not to miss any of my Christmas cookies recipes! If you love these pinwheel cookies, you might also want to try my chocolate crinkle cookies, and Mexican wedding cookies as well! Pinwheel cookies can be enjoyed any time of the year and can be colored with any color you like to match the season or occasion. But we think they are especially perfect at Christmas because they look just like something from the imagination of Dr. Seuss. I can just imagine these pinwheel cookies in a Who-ville bakery window display case! While these are essentially just a sugar cookie, they are delightfully fun to make and less work than cutting out and decorating individual cookies. You just make one dough, then divide it into thirds and color two of them. After rolling out each color layer, they get stacked and rolled up cinnamon roll-style to get the swirly look that is characteristic of pinwheel cookies.
What are Slice-and-Bake Cookies
I love slice-and-bake cookies for the holidays because you make the dough in advance and can leave it chilling in the fridge until you are ready to bake. Then you just remove the roll of cookie dough and slice off as many cookies as you like, rather than rolling and cutting them out like typical sugar cookies. Some of my other favorite slice-and-bake cookies are Toffee Pecan Shortbread Cookies and Double Chocolate Nutella Sandwich Cookies.
How to Make Pinwheel Cookies
Make the Dough Color the Dough Assemble & Bake
How to Store Pinwheel Cookies
Store baked pinwheel cookies in an airtight container on the counter for up to 1 week. They also freeze well for up to 3 months. Just let them thaw on the counter for a few hours before serving.
Pinwheel Cookie Flavor Variations
These cookies have a nice, light classic sugar cookie flavor that is buttery and sweet with a hint of vanilla as written. But you can use your favorite extracts to change things up. I’ve added ½ to 1 teaspoon of peppermint, anise, coconut, and rum extracts before with good results, although if I’m being honest, the classic sugar cookie flavor is my favorite. You could also use fresh lemon zest and a tablespoon or two of lemon juice for lemon flavored pinwheel cookies.
More fun Christmas Cookies
Hazelnut Lingonberry Linzer Cookies are quite possibly the prettiest cookie ever with a wonderful nutty crunch and jam-filled center. These Chocolate Thumbprint Turtle Cookies are rolled in pecans, filled with caramel, and drizzled with chocolate! Double Chocolate Crinkle Cookies are the perfect choice for chocolate lovers! Mexican Wedding Cookies [aka Russian Tea Cakes] are a classic powdered sugar covered cookie with a melt-in-your-mouth texture. Crescent-shaped Cinnamon Walnut Raisin Rugelach is a fun traditional Jewish cookie that is really unique! Lime Meltaway Shortbread Cookies have a wonderful citrus flavor! Everybody loves a sugar cookie at Christmas! My Best Cut-Out Sugar Cookies hold their shape and taste delicious! Fresh Cranberry Shortbread Bars make use of seasonal fresh cranberries. Soft & Chewy Gingerbread Men Cookies are another Christmas classic!
This recipe first appeared on The Salty Marshmallow where I am a contributor. Let me know what you thought with a comment and rating below. You can also take a picture and tag me on Instagram @houseofnasheats or share it on the Pinterest pin so I can see.
