Pinwheel Cookies are simple and easy-to-make treats with a delicious combination of vanilla and chocolate. These are the best and most festive cookies to try for Christmas.
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Recipe card
Pinwheel Cookies | Christmas Cookies
Equipment
- Baking pan
Ingredients
- 2 ⅔ cups All purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon Baking powder
- ½ teaspoon Salt
- 1 cup Butter softened to room temperature
- 1 cup Sugar
- 1 Egg
- 1 teaspoon Vanilla extract
- 4 tablespoon Cocoa powder
- 1 tablespoon Hot water
- 1 teaspoon Coffee powder Instant
Instructions
Make the vanilla dough
- Mix flour, baking powder, and salt together in a bowl and keep it aside.2 ⅔ cups All purpose flour, 1 teaspoon Baking powder, ½ teaspoon Salt
- In a bowl, mix butter and sugar until smooth and creamy.1 cup Butter, 1 cup Sugar
- Add egg and vanilla extract and mix until well combined, scraping the sides of the bowl as needed.1 Egg, 1 teaspoon Vanilla extract
- Add the flour mixture to the wet ingredients and mix until combined. This will be thick and sticky.
- Divide this dough into two equal portions. Shape one portion into a rectangle, cover it in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for 30 minutes.
Make the chocolate dough
- Dissolve coffee powder in 1 tablespoon of water.1 tablespoon Hot water, 1 teaspoon Coffee powder
- Add this to another half of the dough along with the cocoa powder and mix until combined. Shape into a rectangle, cover in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for 30 minutes.4 tablespoon Cocoa powder
Roll into rectangle
- Transfer the vanilla dough onto wax paper or parchment paper. If the dough is sticky, you may sprinkle flour.
- Place another piece of wax paper on top of it and roll it into a rectangle of approx 10 inches by 8 inches. Peel off the top sheet.
- Next, transfer the chocolate-flavored portion of the dough onto another clean wax paper sheet. Place a wax paper sheet on top and roll it to an approximately 10-inch by 8-inch rectangle. Peel off the top sheet.
Roll into log and chill
- Invert the chocolate rectangle over the vanilla rectangle as evenly as possible. Peel off the wax paper from the chocolate layer.
- Starting with the longest edge closer to you (10-inch side), roll this tightly so there is no space at the center by using the wax paper as an aid.
- Cover this dough log in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 3 to 4 hours so it firms up. I keep it overnight.
Bake chocolate pinwheel cookies
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line the baking sheet with parchment paper and keep it aside.
- Using a sharp knife, cut the log into ⅓-inch to ½-inch thick slices and place these on a baking sheet inches apart.
- Bake for 12 to 14 minutes or until the cookies are set. Allow it to cool down completely.
- Holiday Pinwheel cookies are ready. Serve and enjoy.
Notes
- This dough is comparatively sticky. If you find it difficult to roll, either refrigerate or sprinkle some extra flour.
- You can store these cookies at room temperature in an airtight container for one week.
- Make ahead instructions for a holiday: You can roll the dough into logs and keep it in the refrigerator for up to 5 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months. When ready to bake, thaw, slice, and follow the baking instructions.
- You can also add a drop of red or green color to the plain vanilla layer to make it look more festive.
Nutrition
Christmas pinwheel cookies
Pinwheel cookies, similar to shortbread, are popular for their beautiful spiral patterns. These spiraled cookies with two different flavors are not only festive but also easy to make and delicious to eat.
The vanilla makes the cookie sweet, and the butter and chocolate add richness and depth of flavor. So, every single bite of this holiday cookie is satisfying.
Add this to your holiday dessert plate or Christmas dessert charcuterie board and give it in the form of gift boxes to your family and friends.
Also, check out our veggie pinwheels using puff pastry sheets for a savory pinwheel version.
Ingredients
Baking powder: Helps the cookies rise.
Flour: I have used regular plain all-purpose flour.
Butter: Unsalted butter at room temperature. Provides flavor and texture.
Cocoa powder: Using cocoa over melted chocolate makes the dough easier to roll.
Egg: Add moisture to the dough.
Step-by-step instructions
Make the vanilla dough
- Mix flour, baking powder, and salt together in a bowl and keep it aside.
- In a bowl, mix butter and sugar until smooth and creamy.
- Add egg and vanilla extract and mix until well combined, scraping the sides of the bowl as needed.
- Add the flour mixture to the wet ingredients and mix until combined. This will be thick and sticky.
- Divide this dough into two equal portions. Shape one portion into a rectangle, cover it in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for 30 minutes.
Make the chocolate dough
- Dissolve coffee powder in 1 tablespoon of water.
- Add this to another half of the dough along with the cocoa powder and mix until combined. Shape into a rectangle, cover in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for 30 minutes.
Roll into rectangle
- Transfer the vanilla dough onto wax paper or parchment paper. If the dough is sticky, you may sprinkle flour.
- Place another piece of wax paper on top of it and roll it into a rectangle of approx 10 inches by 8 inches. Peel off the top sheet.
- Next, transfer the chocolate-flavored portion of the dough onto another clean wax paper sheet. Place a wax paper sheet on top and roll it to an approximately 10-inch by 8-inch rectangle. Peel off the top sheet.
Roll into log and chill
- Invert the chocolate rectangle over the vanilla rectangle as evenly as possible. Peel off the wax paper from the chocolate layer.
- Starting with the longest edge closer to you (10-inch side), roll this tightly so there is no space at the center by using the wax paper as an aid.
- Cover this dough log in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 3 to 4 hours so it firms up. I keep it overnight.
Bake chocolate pinwheel cookies
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line the baking sheet with parchment paper and keep it aside.
- Using a sharp knife, cut the log into ⅓-inch to ½-inch thick slices and place these on a baking sheet.
- Bake for 12 to 14 minutes or until the cookies are set. Allow it to cool down completely.
- Holiday Pinwheel cookies are ready. Serve and enjoy.
Tips
- This dough is comparatively sticky. If you find it difficult to roll, either refrigerate or sprinkle some extra flour.
- You can store these cookies at room temperature in an airtight container for one week.
- Make ahead instructions for a holiday: You can roll the dough into logs and keep it in the refrigerator for up to 5 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months. When ready to bale, thaw, slice, and follow the baking instructions.
- You can also add a drop of red or green color to the plain vanilla layer to make it look more festive.
Recipe FAQs
For the plain dough, you can use festive flavors like peppermint, lemon zest, orange zest, etc.
Keep the dough chilled when not in use. For example, when working with vanilla dough, place the chocolate dough in the refrigerator. Once you slice the log, you can place the cookies on a baking sheet and refrigerate for an extra 15 minutes before baking.
While making pinwheel cookies, always have patience, and when the dough turns sticky, place them in the refrigerator till you can handle it easily. If the dough is cracking, let it rest for a few minutes before you roll.
More Christmas cookies
Did you like this recipe? Please leave a star ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ rating below and/or a review in the comments section. You can also stay in touch with us through social media by following us on Pinterest, Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.
Note: We originally posted this Christmas pinwheel cookies recipe in Dec 2016. It has now been modified in Dec 2023 with Expert Chef Tips, FAQs, Storage Instructions, etc.
Emma @ Bake Then Eat
Wow I wish I was your neighbour 🙂
Smitha
Love these cookies. Perfect for gift. Will try these soon
Anu - My Ginger Garlic Kitchen
These pinwheel cookies look so pretty, festive and delicious, Kushi. Perfect for this time of the year.
karrie @ Tasty Ever After
My Mom used to make these every Christmas when I was younger! Thanks for the memory 🙂
puja
Lovely cookies Kushi. Would love to try with a hot cup of tea. Awesome share.. 🙂