Swirled Twirled Classic Holiday Pinwheel Cookies

Holiday Pinwheel Cookies Recipe 14 Swirled Christmas Magic

By Emily CollinsSeptember 23, 2025

Table of Contents

Recipe Introduction

Quick Hook

Ever feel like your holiday baking needs a little pizzazz? These Holiday Pinwheel Cookies Recipe #14 are not only yummy but look super impressive! They're buttery, with a delicious vanilla chocolate swirl that's perfect for festive cheer.

Brief Overview

These Christmas Sugar Cookie Pinwheels have been around for ages, conjuring up nostalgic Christmases past. This recipe is rated easy and takes about an hour and a half, including chilling time.

It yields around 36 cookies, perfect for sharing or keeping all to yourself no judgement here!

Main Benefits

One of the great things about this holiday cookie recipe is that it’s not overly sweet. Plus, festive holiday baking like this just boosts your mood! These cookies are ideal for Christmas parties, cookie exchanges, or just a cozy night in.

These cookies will be the star of your Easy Christmas cookie recipes . What makes them special is the fun, swirly pattern and the homemade taste that beats anything you can buy in the shops, hands down.

Ready to dive into the ingredients and learn How To Make Peppermint Pinwheel Cookies or Vanilla chocolate pinwheel cookies by tweaking the recipe to your liking?

Ingredients & Equipment for Your Holiday Pinwheel Cookies Recipe #14

Okay, so you wanna make some Holiday Pinwheel Cookies Recipe #14 , right? Awesome choice! These Swirled Christmas cookies are always a hit.

Here's what you'll need. It's all pretty straightforward, and you might already have most of this stuff. Honestly, this holiday cookie recipe is so much easier than it looks!

Main Ingredients Let's Get Specific!

First off, the dough. This is where the magic starts for these Classic Christmas cookie recipes .

2 1/4 cups (281 g) all-purpose flour, plus a bit extra for dusting. Make sure it's nice and fresh; old flour can give a weird taste.
1 tsp baking powder don’t skip this, it helps with that nice, light texture.
1/2 tsp salt just a pinch to balance the sweetness.
1 cup (226g) unsalted butter, softened. Super important it's soft, otherwise, you'll have a heck of a time creaming it!
3/4 cup (150g) granulated sugar.
1 large egg.
1 tsp vanilla extract. Get the good stuff; it makes a difference!

Now, for that yummy chocolate swirl, because who doesn’t love a Vanilla chocolate pinwheel cookies ?

2 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder. high-quality cocoa really shines here.
1 tbsp milk. Any kind will do!

Seasoning Notes Flavor Boosters!

We’re keeping it simple but impactful.

A good vanilla extract is key. Seriously, splurge a little! You can substitute with a vanilla bean paste. The aroma is heavenly!

For the chocolate, play around! A pinch of espresso powder in the chocolate dough enhances the flavor.

You can add peppermint extract if you wanna make some How To Make Peppermint Pinwheel Cookies .

Equipment Needed Keep It Simple!

You don't need fancy gadgets to pull off this Pinwheel Cookies Recipe .

Mixing bowls two large ones should do the trick.
Stand mixer or hand mixer. If you’re using a hand mixer, just be prepared for a bit of an arm workout.
Measuring cups and spoons. Gotta be precise.
Parchment paper or silicone baking mat. These are lifesavers. The parchment paper avoids sticking.
Rolling pin. You probably already have one of those.
Sharp knife or pizza cutter. A pizza cutter makes slicing the dough so much easier, trust me!
Baking sheets.

That's it. This Easy Christmas cookie recipes is totally doable with basic equipment. Now get ready for some seriously Festive holiday baking ! These Red And Green Pinwheel Christmas Cookies will be stunning!

Baking Holiday Pinwheel Cookies Recipe #14: Let's Get Swirling!

Alright, lovelies, let's dive headfirst into making some seriously festive Holiday Pinwheel Cookies Recipe #14 ! Honestly, who can resist those gorgeous swirls? These aren't just any cookies; they're Swirled Christmas cookies memories in the making.

Get ready for some festive holiday baking ! I always loved baking these with my nan, good old times.

Prep Steps: Mise en Place Magic!

First things first, let's get organised. It's all about the essential mise en place , darlings. Get your 2 1/4 cups (281 g) flour, 1 tsp baking powder, and 1/2 tsp salt whisked together.

Cream your 1 cup (226g) softened butter and 3/4 cup (150g) sugar until it's light and fluffy. Beat in one large egg and 1 tsp vanilla.

Then, cocoa powder and milk for the other half! Honestly, prepping makes the whole Pinwheel Cookies Recipe process so much smoother.

Swirling into Action: The step-by-step

Combine the dry ingredients into the wet.
Divide the dough. Mix one half with 2 tablespoons cocoa powder and 1 tablespoon milk.
Flatten each half into a disc, wrap in plastic, and chill for at least 1 hour . You know, this is where patience is key! Don't skip the chilling, or you'll end up with a sticky mess.
Roll each disc into a 12x8 inch rectangle on a floured surface.
Layer the chocolate dough on top of the vanilla. Roll it up tightly into a log. Wrap it well and chill for 30 minutes .
Preheat your oven to 375° F ( 190° C) . Slice the log into 1/4 inch thick cookies. Place them on a baking sheet.
Bake for 8- 10 minutes until lightly golden.
Cool on a rack.

Pro Tips for Pinwheel Perfection

Want that extra oomph? Try these!

Chill, chill, chill! If the dough gets too soft while you're rolling, pop it back in the fridge for a bit.
Don't overbake! They should be just lightly golden around the edges.
You can totally make the dough ahead of time and keep it in the fridge for a couple of days. It's a lifesaver if you're doing lots of Easy Christmas cookie recipes . I find that chilling the dough overnight gives the flavors a chance to really meld together. Honestly, it makes a difference! Classic Christmas cookie recipes for the win!.

So, there you have it! Go forth and bake some red and green pinwheel christmas cookies – they're perfect for Christmas Sugar Cookie Pinwheels or any Holiday cookie recipe !

Recipe Notes for Your Holiday Pinwheel Cookies Recipe #14

Right then, let's chat about these Pinwheel Cookies Recipe , shall we? Baking isn't always a walk in the park.

I swear, the first time I tried making these, I almost binned the whole thing. But don’t you worry, I've got some tips to help you avoid my mishaps.

Serving Those Swirls: Plating & Pairings

Think these Christmas Sugar Cookie Pinwheels look good on their own? Oh, you're in for a treat! Plating is everything.

Picture this: arrange them on a festive platter alongside other Classic Christmas cookie recipes , maybe some gingerbread men and shortbread.

They look fantastic with a dusting of icing sugar.

As for drinks, a classic cuppa always works. Hot chocolate or a cheeky glass of mulled wine if you're feeling fancy. They're also nice served with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

Storing Secrets: Keeping Them Fresh

Nobody wants stale biscuits, right? These Red And Green Pinwheel Christmas Cookies keep well if stored properly. Once they're completely cool, pop them in an airtight container.

They'll stay fresh at room temperature for up to 3 days. If you want to keep them longer, you can freeze them for up to 2 months.

Just wrap them tightly in cling film first.

Reheating? Nah, they're best enjoyed at room temperature.

Mix It Up: Variations on a Theme

Fancy a twist on the Vanilla chocolate pinwheel cookies ? Easy peasy. For a gluten-free version, use a good quality gluten-free flour blend.

It might be a bit crumbly, so handle with care.

Or, you could add peppermint extract to the vanilla dough for How To Make Peppermint Pinwheel Cookies . Crush some candy canes and sprinkle them on top before baking for extra Festive holiday baking flair.

This makes it a Holiday cookie recipe that's just divine. Swapping flavours is totally a blast.

Nutrition: A Little Treat

Alright, let's be honest, these are cookies. But a little bit of what you fancy does you good, right? Each cookie has roughly 75 calories, 1g of protein, 4g of fat, and 8g of carbs.

Remember, this is just an estimate!

And that's your lot! These Easy Christmas cookie recipes are all about having fun. Don't be afraid to experiment and make them your own! Happy baking, and have a fab Christmas!

Frequently Asked Questions

Why are my Holiday Pinwheel Cookies Recipe #14 spreading too much in the oven?

Cookie spreading can be a common baking woe, a bit like soggy bottoms on Bake Off! There are a couple of reasons why your pinwheels might be flattening out. Firstly, make sure your oven temperature is accurate. Secondly, ensure your butter wasn't too soft. If it was practically melted, that can lead to spreading.

Pop your dough back in the fridge to firm up and try again!

Can I make the Holiday Pinwheel Cookies Recipe #14 dough ahead of time?

Absolutely! Making the dough in advance is a great way to break up the baking process, especially during the busy holiday season. You can store the wrapped dough log in the refrigerator for up to 2-3 days. Or, for longer storage, freeze the dough for up to a month.

Just be sure to thaw it in the refrigerator overnight before slicing and baking.

My chocolate swirl is crumbly and not sticking to the vanilla dough. What did I do wrong?

A crumbly chocolate swirl can be a bit of a pain, like a flat soufflé! This usually happens when the cocoa powder hasn't been fully incorporated or the dough is too dry. Try adding a tiny bit more milk (1/2 teaspoon at a time) to the chocolate dough until it becomes a bit more pliable.

Also, make sure you’re not overworking the dough after adding the cocoa.

How do I store Holiday Pinwheel Cookies Recipe #14 to keep them fresh?

To keep your delightful pinwheels fresh and prevent them from going stale, store them in an airtight container at room temperature. They should last for about 3-5 days. For longer storage, you can freeze the baked cookies. Just make sure they are completely cooled before freezing.

When ready to serve, thaw them at room temperature.

Can I add nuts or other mix-ins to my Holiday Pinwheel Cookies?

Of course, feel free to get creative like it's your showstopper week! Adding finely chopped nuts, like pecans or walnuts, to either the vanilla or chocolate dough can add a nice texture and flavor. Other options include dried cranberries, chocolate chips, or even a sprinkle of festive sprinkles on top before baking.

Just be mindful of the amount, as too many mix-ins could affect the dough's consistency.

Are there any healthier substitutions I can make in this Holiday Pinwheel Cookies Recipe #14 to cut down on sugar or fat?

While these are meant to be a treat, you can certainly make some tweaks! Try using unsweetened applesauce to replace half of the butter, and consider using a sugar substitute like Stevia or Monk Fruit keeping in mind this might alter the texture slightly.

You could also swap out some of the all-purpose flour for whole wheat pastry flour for added fiber. Just remember, these changes might slightly affect the overall taste and texture, but it's all about finding what works for you!