Christmas Pinwheel Cookies

Looking for a festive, show-stopping treat that’s as fun to make as it is to eat? Christmas Pinwheel Cookies are the perfect holiday dessert. These colorful, swirled sugar cookies are rolled in cheerful nonpareil sprinkles and baked to buttery perfection. Right after the first bite, you'll understand why they’re a favorite at cookie swaps, holiday parties, and family baking nights. The classic sugar cookie base is soft, sweet, and full of vanilla flavor, while the bold red and green swirls make them the star of any dessert platter.

this recipe

These cookies may look fancy, but they’re surprisingly easy to make. The best part? You can prep them ahead and keep a roll in the fridge or freezer to slice and bake whenever the holiday mood strikes.

Jump to:

• Why You'll Love These Christmas Pinwheel Cookies
• Ingredients and Substitutions
• How to Make Christmas Pinwheel Cookies
• Expert Tips for Success
• How to Store and Serve
• Flavor Variations and Customizations
• More Delicious Christmas Cookie Recipes
• Final Thoughts
• Christmas Pinwheel Cookies

Why You'll Love These Christmas Pinwheel Cookies

Easy to Prep Ahead

This is a slice-and-bake recipe, which means the dough is made in advance and stored as a log. When you're ready to bake, just slice and pop into the oven. It’s stress-free holiday baking at its best.

Festive and Fun

With red, green, and white swirls plus a crunchy sprinkle coating, these cookies are a visual delight. Kids love to help roll the dough and coat them in sprinkles.

Buttery Sugar Cookie Flavor

Each cookie is soft in the center with crisp edges and a melt-in-your-mouth texture. The vanilla base is simple and delicious, but you can also add extracts like peppermint or almond for a twist.

Great for Gifting and Sharing

Because they hold their shape so well, these cookies are perfect for cookie tins, gifts, or holiday dessert boards.

Ingredients and Substitutions

What You’ll Need

• ¾ cup salted butter, softened
• ¾ cup granulated sugar
• ¾ cup powdered sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 2½ cups all-purpose flour (353g)
• ½ teaspoon baking powder
• ½ teaspoon salt
• Red and green gel food coloring
• Holiday nonpareils (sprinkles)
• Optional: ½ to 1 teaspoon of peppermint, almond, lemon, or coconut extract

Ingredient Notes

Use room-temperature butter for a smooth, well-blended dough. Gel food coloring is the best choice for bright, vibrant colors without adding excess moisture. Be sure to measure flour accurately; if you're using a scale, 1 cup of flour equals 141 grams in this recipe.

Substitution Ideas

• Use unsalted butter and add an extra pinch of salt.
• Swap the vanilla for peppermint or almond extract for a new flavor.
• Gluten-free flour blends work well as a 1:1 replacement.
• For a natural color option, try beet or matcha powder.

How to Make Christmas Pinwheel Cookies

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Make the Dough
   In a large bowl, cream together butter, granulated sugar, and powdered sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs and vanilla extract, mixing well. Stir in flour, baking powder, and salt until combined.
2. Divide and Color
   Split the dough into three equal parts. Leave one plain. Tint one red and one green using gel food coloring. Flatten each into a disc and chill for 1 hour in the fridge or 20 minutes in the freezer.

3. Roll and Stack the Layers
   Roll each disc into a rectangle about the same size, using parchment paper. Stack the layers (green, white, then red), peeling off the parchment as you go. Trim edges for clean lines.
4. Roll into a Log
   Starting from a long edge, tightly roll the stack into a log. Use the parchment to help guide and prevent cracking. Wrap in plastic and chill for 2 hours or until very firm.

5. Add Sprinkles
   Roll the chilled dough log in nonpareils. Press gently so the sprinkles stick well.
6. Slice and Bake
   Preheat the oven to 350°F. Slice the dough into ¼-inch rounds. Place on a parchment-lined baking sheet and bake for 10 to 12 minutes until set. Cool completely on a wire rack.

Expert Tips for Success

Best Practices

• Chill thoroughly before slicing for clean swirls.
• Press firmly into the sprinkles to ensure even coating.
• Roll the dough evenly to avoid a lopsided log.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Overmixing the dough can make cookies tough.
• If your dough cracks, let it warm slightly before rolling.
• Don’t skip chilling — warm dough won’t slice well.

Time-Saving Tips

• Make the dough days ahead and refrigerate or freeze.
• Prep two logs at once so you have extra for later.
• Use a ruler to trim straight edges for uniform cookies.

How to Store and Serve

Storing Leftovers

Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week. They freeze beautifully too—store in a zip-top freezer bag for up to 3 months.

Reheating

These cookies are best served at room temperature. If you prefer a soft center, microwave for 5 seconds before eating.

Flavor Variations and Customizations

Make It Your Way

• Use only two colors for a simpler swirl.
• Add lemon zest and extract for a citrus twist.
• Try pastel colors for spring or red, white, and blue for the Fourth of July.

Dietary Adjustments

• For a vegan version, use plant-based butter and flax eggs.
• Replace flour with a gluten-free 1:1 baking blend.

More Delicious Christmas Cookie Recipes

If you love these Christmas Pinwheel Cookies, you’ll want to try these too:

• Chewy Snickerdoodle Cookies – Soft, tangy, and rolled in cinnamon sugar, these are perfect year-round.
• Best Italian Christmas Cookies – A colorful variety that brings tradition and flavor to your holiday table.
• Soft Christmas Thumbprint Cookies – Filled with jam or chocolate, these are always a crowd-pleaser.

You can find even more inspiration for your holiday baking on our Pinterest page: Bake with Lina on Pinterest

Final Thoughts

Christmas Pinwheel Cookies are a delightful mix of festive fun and buttery sugar cookie goodness. They look impressive, but the process is simple enough for beginner bakers and kids to enjoy. Whether you’re baking ahead for a party, gifting a homemade treat, or simply making memories in the kitchen, these cookies are a perfect choice.

Try them this season and let us know how they turned out. Share your creations and tag us on Pinterest—we love seeing your holiday baking come to life.

Print