Name: Festive Holiday Pinwheel Cookies Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 12 min
Total time: 2 h 25 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 3/4 cup salted butter softened to room temperature; 3/4 cup (150g) granulated sugar; 3/4 cup (150g) powdered sugar; 2 large eggs; 2 teaspoons vanilla extract; 2 1/2 cups (353g) all-purpose flour; 1/2 teaspoon baking powder; 1/2 teaspoon salt; Optional: 1/2-1 teaspoon additional flavoring extracts or lemon zest; Red gel food coloring; Green gel food coloring; Holiday colored nonpareils

Jump to Recipe·5 from 24 reviews

If you’re searching for a show-stopping cookie to wow your friends and family this season, you’re in the right place. This Festive Holiday Pinwheel Cookies Recipe is one of my all-time favorites because it’s colorful, fun to make, and tastes like a perfect holiday treat—crispy on the edges, tender in the center, and covered in cheerful sprinkles. Trust me, once you try these, they’ll quickly become a staple on your holiday cookie tray!

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Why This Recipe Works

Striking Visuals: The red, green, and white layers create a classic holiday pinwheel that’s as festive as it is delicious.
Simple Ingredients: You don’t need any fancy or hard-to-find supplies—just pantry staples and food coloring.
Versatile Dough: The dough is easy to work with, rolls out smoothly, and holds its shape well during baking.
Fun to Make: Rolling and slicing these cookies feels like a mini holiday craft project that anyone can enjoy.

Festive Holiday Pinwheel Cookies, holiday cookie recipes, Christmas cookie ideas, easy holiday cookies, colorful pinwheel cookies - The image shows a stack of round pinwheel cookies with three visible layers spiraled inside each cookie: a red outer layer, a white middle layer, and a green inner layer. The edges of the cookies are covered with red, white, and green small round sprinkles that spill onto a white marbled surface. Some cookies are stacked neatly, while others lie flat beside the stack, showing the swirl pattern clearly. The cookies look festive and colorful, arranged in a tall stack with scattered sprinkles around them. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

Every ingredient in this Festive Holiday Pinwheel Cookies Recipe plays a part in creating that perfect balance of buttery richness, tender crumb, and festive look. Plus, I’ll share some tips on picking the best versions for the tastiest results.

Festive Holiday Pinwheel Cookies, holiday cookie recipes, Christmas cookie ideas, easy holiday cookies, colorful pinwheel cookies - Flat lay of a small mound of softened salted butter, a small white bowl filled with granulated sugar, another small white bowl with powdered sugar, two whole uncracked brown eggs, a small white bowl of vanilla extract, a heaping pile of all-purpose flour, a small white bowl containing baking powder, a small white bowl with salt, a small white bowl holding vibrant red gel food coloring, a small white bowl with rich green gel food coloring, and a small white bowl filled with colorful holiday nonpareils, all arranged 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

Salted butter: Room temperature butter gives the dough richness and helps it cream perfectly with sugar for a smooth texture.
Granulated sugar: Adds sweetness and helps create a lightly crisp edge.
Powdered sugar: Keeps the dough tender and aids in a soft bite inside the cookie.
Eggs: Act as a binder and add moisture for a smooth, pliable dough that’s easy to roll.
Vanilla extract: Brings warmth and depth to the cookie’s flavor.
All-purpose flour: The base of the dough that provides structure without making the cookies tough.
Baking powder: Adds a slight lift so your cookies aren’t too dense.
Salt: Balances sweetness and enhances all the other flavors.
Red & green gel food coloring: Perfect for the intense, bright swirls without watering down your dough like liquid colors might.
Holiday colored nonpareils: The festive finishing touch adds crunch and that irresistible sparkle you want in holiday treats.
Optional flavoring or lemon zest: I love adding a touch of almond extract or lemon zest for a subtle twist that makes these cookies uniquely mine.

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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.

Tweak to Your Taste

This recipe is like a blank holiday canvas for me. Sometimes I stick to the classic combo of vanilla and a pinch of almond extract, other times I swap in lemon zest or a splash of peppermint extract to really channel that seasonal vibe. You should feel free to make it your own too—you can’t really go wrong!

Flavor Variation: Try adding a teaspoon of peppermint extract instead of vanilla for a refreshing, Christmas-y twist—I swear it’s magical when paired with the red and green.
Dietary Modifications: If you want to make these gluten-free, swap the all-purpose flour with a high-quality gluten-free blend and add a tablespoon of xanthan gum for structure.
Color Play: Feel free to swap the traditional red and green food coloring for any colors that match your holiday palette, like blue and silver for winter wonderland vibes.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Festive Holiday Pinwheel Cookies Recipe

Step 1: Cream Butter and Sugars Until Fluffy

Start by letting your butter come to room temperature—this makes all the difference in creaming. Use a mixer to beat the butter, granulated sugar, and powdered sugar together until the mixture looks pale and fluffy, about 3-4 minutes. This step introduces air, giving your cookies a lovely melt-in-your-mouth texture.

Step 2: Add Eggs and Flavors

Next, beat in the eggs one at a time, followed by the vanilla and any extra flavoring you like—lemon zest or almond extract are my favorites here. Remember to scrape down the sides of your bowl to keep everything evenly mixed.

Step 3: Combine Dry Ingredients and Divide Dough

Mix together the flour, baking powder, and salt separately, then gradually add to the wet ingredients until just combined. Be careful not to overmix or your cookies might turn out a bit tough. Divide the dough evenly into three balls—these will be your white, red, and green cookie layers.

Step 4: Color the Dough

Return one ball to the bowl and add about 5-10 drops of red gel food coloring. Mix just until the color is even. Repeat this process with another portion using green gel food coloring, and leave the third ball white. Gel coloring is key—it won’t make your dough too sticky or liquidy.

Step 5: Chill and Roll Out Each Dough Layer

Flatten each dough ball into a disc, wrap tightly in plastic, and chill in the freezer for 20 minutes or fridge for 1 hour. When chilled, roll each disc out on parchment paper into rectangles roughly the same size and shape. This keeps the layers neat and “pinwheel-perfect.”

Step 6: Assemble, Roll, and Chill the Log

Stack your rolled-out dough like a sandwich: green on the bottom, white in the middle, and red on top. Trim the long edges so they’re even, then carefully roll the dough into a snug log using the parchment paper—it helps avoid cracks. Wrap it tightly and chill in the fridge for at least 1-2 hours. This step is crucial for clean, neat slices later on.

Step 7: Add the Sprinkles and Slice

Once chilled, unwrap your dough log and roll it across a baking sheet covered in holiday-colored nonpareils. Press gently so the sprinkles stick well—this is the part that adds that extra sparkle and texture. Then trim the ends, slice into ¼-inch thick cookies, and space them on a parchment-lined baking sheet.

Step 8: Bake and Cool

Pop the cookies in a preheated 350°F oven and bake for 10-12 minutes, until the edges are set but still soft. Don’t overbake—they’ll firm up as they cool. Let them cool completely on a wire rack before diving in, I promise it’s worth the wait!

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Pro Tips for Making Festive Holiday Pinwheel Cookies Recipe

Keep Dough Chilled: Rolling the dough firm helps maintain crisp pinwheel edges and prevents spreading during baking.
Use Sharp Knife: A sharp, slightly warmed knife helps create clean cookie slices without squishing the dough.
Press Sprinkles Well: Gently but firmly press the dough into the sprinkles so they coat evenly and don’t fall off after baking.
Don’t Skip the Resting Time: Allow the rolled log to chill overnight if possible—this makes slicing much easier and the pattern sharper.

How to Serve Festive Holiday Pinwheel Cookies Recipe

Garnishes

I like to serve these with a light dusting of powdered sugar right before guests arrive—it adds a snowy holiday touch without overpowering the colorful sprinkles on the outside. If you’re feeling extra fancy, a tiny drizzle of white or dark chocolate makes them feel extra special.

Side Dishes

These cookies pair beautifully with hot beverages like spiced cider, peppermint hot chocolate, or a rich cup of coffee. I’ve also served them alongside a small cheese board for a sweet and salty contrast at holiday gatherings.

Creative Ways to Present

For a festive gift, I stack these pinwheel cookies in a clear jar with colors alternating in layers—it looks almost too pretty to eat! For parties, arrange them on a white platter with some fresh evergreen sprigs or cranberries for that extra holiday flair.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I like to keep any leftover baked cookies in an airtight container at room temperature. They stay fresh and delicious for up to a week—though rarely that long in my house! If you notice they start to lose that crisp edge, you can pop them in the oven for a few minutes to refresh them.

Freezing

The dough rolls freeze wonderfully, which I love for holiday prep. Roll the log, wrap it tightly in plastic, and freeze for up to 3 months. When you’re ready to bake, just thaw it overnight in the fridge, slice, and bake as usual—fresh cookies anytime!

Reheating

If your cookies soften after storing, a quick 3-5 minute toast in a 300°F oven crisps them right back up. Just watch closely so they don’t overbake. This little trick makes your pinwheel cookies taste like they just came out of the oven.

FAQs

Can I use liquid food coloring instead of gel for this Festive Holiday Pinwheel Cookies Recipe?

While you can use liquid food coloring, I recommend gel coloring because it provides more vibrant colors without adding extra moisture that can make the dough too sticky or soft. Gel colors maintain the perfect dough consistency needed for rolling and slicing.
How do I prevent the pinwheel dough from cracking when rolling?

Make sure the dough is well chilled before rolling, and don’t roll it too thin. Using parchment paper to help roll the log gently keeps the layers tight without cracks. If cracks start to appear, refrigerate the dough a little longer before proceeding.
Can I add other types of sprinkles besides nonpareils?

Absolutely! I’ve used festive sugar crystals and even small holiday-themed confetti sprinkles. Just pick something that will stick well when pressed onto the chilled dough and won’t melt or run during baking.
What’s the best way to slice the cookie dough log?

Use a sharp, non-serrated knife, and if you find it tough to cut cleanly, warm the knife slightly under hot water and dry it before slicing. Slice gently in a single smooth motion to keep the pinwheel shape crisp and intact.
Can these cookies be made ahead for holiday parties?

Yes! The dough log freezes beautifully and can be sliced and baked fresh when you’re ready, or you can bake the cookies in advance and store them in an airtight container. Either way, they stay tasty and festive.

Final Thoughts

This Festive Holiday Pinwheel Cookies Recipe truly brings me joy every time I bake it—it’s like a little burst of holiday cheer in cookie form. I love how approachable it is but still looks impressive on a plate or cookie tray. Whether this is your first time trying pinwheel cookies or you’re a seasoned holiday baker, I promise this recipe will become one of your favorites to make again and again. So go ahead, gather your ingredients, roll up your sleeves, and create some delicious memories with these sweet, colorful treats!