Name: Holiday Pinwheel Cookies Recipe
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 4 h 40 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 3 cups (420 g) all-purpose flour; 1/2 teaspoon baking powder; 1/2 teaspoon salt; 1 1/4 cup (250 g) white granulated sugar; 1 cup (225 g or 2 sticks) unsalted butter, at room temperature; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; 1 large egg; 1/2 teaspoon liquid red food coloring; 1/2 teaspoon raspberry extract

If you’re looking for a cookie that’s as fun to make as it is to eat, this Holiday Pinwheel Cookies Recipe is your new go-to. I absolutely love how these cookies come together with their swirled red and vanilla dough—it’s festive, eye-catching, and tastes like a classic buttery sugar cookie with a hint of raspberry. When I first tried this recipe, I was amazed at how easy it was to roll out the dough and create those perfect spirals that everyone oohs and ahs over. Keep reading and I’ll share all my best tips so you can nail these beauties on your first try!

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Eye-Catching Design: The iconic pinwheel swirl makes these cookies a festive showstopper for holiday gatherings.
Delicious Flavor Combo: A buttery vanilla base paired with raspberry adds a subtle twist that everyone loves.
Make-Ahead Friendly: The dough logs freeze beautifully, so you can prep in advance and bake fresh whenever you want.
Beginner Friendly: Easy rolling and slicing techniques make this perfect even if you’re new to cookie baking.

A long roll of dough with two colors is placed on a wooden cutting board; the outer layer is creamy white and the inner spiral layer is bright pink, creating a swirl pattern in the slices. Several evenly cut round slices lie on the right side of the roll, showing the clear swirl design. A large knife with a silver blade and black handle is placed above the roll, partially visible. The scene is simple with natural light highlighting the smooth texture of the dough and the sharp edges of the slices. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7 - Holiday Pinwheel Cookies, festive cookie ideas, swirl cookie recipe, easy holiday cookies, colorful cookie desserts

Ingredients You’ll Need

This recipe calls for simple pantry staples that work wonderfully together to create tender, flavorful cookies with that classic holiday look. When shopping, pick the freshest butter you can find and a good-quality raspberry extract to really make the flavors pop.

Flat lay of a small mound of white granulated sugar, two sticks of pale yellow unsalted butter at room temperature, a single large brown egg with a smooth shell, a small white ceramic bowl of clear vanilla extract, a small white ceramic bowl with fine white baking powder, a small white ceramic bowl of fine white salt, a pile of all-purpose flour, a small white ceramic bowl of vibrant liquid red food coloring, and a small white ceramic bowl of clear raspberry extract placed evenly and symmetrically on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997 - Holiday Pinwheel Cookies, festive cookie ideas, swirl cookie recipe, easy holiday cookies, colorful cookie desserts

White Granulated Sugar: Gives just the right sweetness and helps create a tender crumb.
Unsalted Butter: Room temperature butter ensures fluffy creaming with the sugar for that perfect cookie texture.
Vanilla Extract: Adds warmth and depth to the vanilla dough portion.
Baking Powder: A bit of leavening to keep the cookies light and soft, not flat and dense.
Salt: Balances the sweetness and enhances flavor.
Egg: Provides structure and richness to hold the dough together.
All-Purpose Flour: The base of your dough that creates that traditional cookie texture.
Liquid Red Food Coloring: For that vibrant holiday red swirl. You can adjust based on how deep you want the color.
Raspberry Extract: Brings a subtle fruity note that pairs perfectly with vanilla—don’t skip this if you want that special twist.

Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Variations

One of my favorite things about this Holiday Pinwheel Cookies Recipe is how easy it is to customize. You can swap out flavors or colors depending on the festivities or your family’s tastes. Don’t be afraid to get creative!

Chocolate and Peppermint: I swapped raspberry extract for peppermint and added cocoa powder to one dough half, making the perfect combo for Christmas parties.
Food Coloring Alternatives: Natural food colorings like beet juice or powdered matcha also work great if you want to avoid artificial dyes.
Gluten-Free Version: Using a gluten-free all-purpose blend gave me nearly the same texture—just be gentle when rolling out the dough.
Mini Pinwheels: For kid-friendly parties, I roll the dough thinner and slice into smaller rounds that bake faster and disappear instantly!

How to Make Holiday Pinwheel Cookies Recipe

Step 1: Cream the Butter and Sugar

Start by placing the sugar, softened butter, vanilla extract, baking powder, and salt into your stand mixer with a paddle attachment. Beat them on medium speed for about 2 minutes until the mixture is creamy, pale, and clings nicely to the bowl sides. This gives the cookie a light texture. Don’t rush this part—it makes all the difference!

Step 2: Incorporate the Egg

Scrape down the bowl sides, then add the egg and mix until fully incorporated. This adds richness and moisture to your cookie dough.

Step 3: Add Flour and Form Dough

On low speed, slowly add the flour until the dough just comes together with no visible flour streaks. Avoid overmixing here, or your cookies could turn out tough. Scrape the dough onto your counter and divide it in half.

Step 4: Color and Flavor One Half

Put one half of the dough back into the mixer bowl and add the liquid red food coloring and raspberry extract. Mix until the dough turns a vibrant pinkish-red and is evenly colored. This step is so satisfying watching the color swirl.

Step 5: Chill and Roll the Dough

Cut each dough half into two balls, so you have four—two plain, two raspberry. Shape each ball into a square or rectangle, wrap tightly in plastic wrap, and chill at least 30 minutes (or up to a day). When chilled, unwrap one dough piece, sandwich it between two sheets of parchment, and gently roll to a 6 x 12-inch rectangle. If it’s tough to roll, just let it rest a couple minutes to soften slightly. Repeat with the remaining dough pieces, stacking the rolled rectangles on a baking sheet, then freeze for 15 minutes to firm up.

Step 6: Assemble and Roll the Pinwheels

Remove one plain and one raspberry dough sheet from the freezer. Peel the top parchment off both, then carefully flip the raspberry dough onto the plain so they’re perfectly aligned. Peel off the remaining paper and trim the edges so it’s neat. Starting from the long edge, roll tightly into a 12-inch log, peeling the parchment as you roll to avoid wrinkles. Repeat this again flipping the colors so you get two pinwheels with opposite swirl directions. Wrap the logs tightly in parchment or plastic wrap and chill for at least 2 hours or overnight.

Step 7: Slice and Bake

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a sheet with parchment or a silicone mat. Take the chilled dough logs out and gently roll them on the counter to smooth flat spots from chilling. Slice into 1/4- to 1/2-inch thick rounds and place on the baking sheet about an inch apart. Bake for around 10 minutes or until the cookie edges just start to turn golden. Cool on wire racks and enjoy!

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Pro Tips for Making Holiday Pinwheel Cookies Recipe

Use Room Temperature Butter: This helps the creaming process and makes your dough smooth and fluffy, which is key for easy rolling.
Keep Dough Cool but Pliable: If your dough is too hard straight from the fridge, let it sit for a few minutes before rolling to avoid cracks.
Flip and Reapply Parchment: Rolling the dough between parchment papers and flipping occasionally prevents stickiness and wrinkles that can mess with your final swirl.
Chill the Dough Logs Properly: Don’t skip this! It keeps the dough firm making slicing clean and hassle-free.

How to Serve Holiday Pinwheel Cookies Recipe

A white plate with a thin red rim filled with about a dozen round cookies that have red and white spiral patterns on top, showing smooth and slightly raised texture. Next to the plate is a white square napkin with three similar spiral cookies resting on it. In the top left corner, there is a small glass of milk with a creamy white color, all placed on a white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7 - Holiday Pinwheel Cookies, festive cookie ideas, swirl cookie recipe, easy holiday cookies, colorful cookie desserts

Garnishes

I like to dust just a tiny pinch of powdered sugar over these cookies for a delicate snowy look, perfect for holiday tables. For parties, adding a few festive sprinkles sparingly can add extra cheer without overwhelming the elegant swirl.

Side Dishes

These pinwheel cookies pair wonderfully with a warm cup of spiced tea, hot cocoa, or coffee. I often serve them alongside a cheese and fruit platter to balance the sweetness with savory and fresh flavors during holiday gatherings.

Creative Ways to Present

For gift-giving or special events, I stack the cookies in a clear jar or a decorative tin layered with wax paper and tied with a ribbon. You can also arrange them on a festive platter, alternating swirls facing different directions for a cool visual effect.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store leftover baked cookies in an airtight container at room temperature and they stay soft and delicious for about three days. If you notice they lose a bit of softness, a quick 10-second zap in the microwave helps revive their fresh-baked warmth.

Freezing

This Holiday Pinwheel Cookies Recipe is fantastic for freezing! After rolling into logs, wrap them tightly and freeze for up to a month. When you’re ready, just slice and bake straight from the freezer—adding a minute or two to baking time.

Reheating

If you have baked cookies left over, warming them in a preheated oven at 300°F for 3-5 minutes refreshes their softness without drying them out. I usually avoid microwaving baked cookies too long, as they can get rubbery.

FAQs

Can I make these pinwheel cookies without food coloring?

Absolutely! The food coloring is just to give that traditional holiday red look. You can skip it and keep the dough plain or use natural colorings like beet juice powder for a red tint.
How thick should I slice the cookie logs?

Slicing about 1/4 to 1/2 inch thick works best. Thinner slices bake crispier, while thicker slices stay soft and chewy. I prefer around 3/8 inch for a nice balance.
Can I use these dough logs for a ready-to-bake gift?

Yes! Wrapped tightly, the dough logs freeze well and make an awesome homemade gift. Include the baking instructions so your giftee can slice and bake fresh cookies whenever they want.
What’s the best way to prevent the dough from cracking while rolling?

Make sure your dough is cold but not rock solid. If it feels stiff, let it sit at room temp for a few minutes before rolling. Rolling between parchment paper and flipping the sheets occasionally also helps keep the dough smooth.

Final Thoughts

This Holiday Pinwheel Cookies Recipe holds a special place in my heart because it combines simplicity with that classic festive wow factor. Every time I pull out those perfectly spiraled cookies, I get the same excited smiles from family and friends. I hope you’ll love making and sharing them just as much as I do—there’s nothing like a homemade cookie to warm up your holiday season. Give this recipe a try your next baking day and let me know how your pinwheels turned out!