Pinwheel Cookies Recipe

If you’ve been searching for a charmingly delightful treat that catches the eye and satisfies your sweet tooth, let me introduce you to the magic of Pinwheel Cookies. These pretty little spiraled delights aren’t just a feast for the eyes but a perfect balance of buttery flavor and melt-in-your-mouth texture. With their playful swirl of classic vanilla dough and a splash of pink, topped with sprinkles, Pinwheel Cookies bring a lovely pop of color and whimsy to any cookie plate. Whether you’re baking for a special occasion or just craving a sweet pick-me-up, these cookies are guaranteed to bring smiles and warm feelings.

Ingredients You’ll Need

The beauty of Pinwheel Cookies lies in their simplicity. Each ingredient plays a crucial role, from the richness of the butter and shortening that give the cookies their tender crumb to the flour and salt providing structure and balance. The splash of pink food coloring and sprinkles add that irresistible touch of fun and festivity.

• Butter (½ cup, room temperature): Adds creamy richness crucial for soft, tender cookies.
• Butter-flavored shortening (½ cup): Helps create a moist texture with a subtle buttery taste.
• Powdered sugar (1 cup): Provides smooth sweetness and contributes to the delicate crumb.
• Egg (1 large): Binds ingredients together and adds moisture.
• Vanilla extract (2 teaspoons): Infuses the dough with warm, classic flavor.
• All-purpose flour (2 ½ cups): The base that holds the cookie together with just the right chew.
• Salt (1 teaspoon): Enhances all the other flavors, balancing sweetness beautifully.
• Pink food coloring: Gives the second dough portion its playful pastel swirl.
• Pink sprinkles: Adds crunch and festive flair to the cookie’s outer edges.

How to Make Pinwheel Cookies

Step 1: Cream the butter, shortening, sugar, egg, and vanilla

Begin by bringing together the room-temperature butter, butter-flavored shortening, powdered sugar, egg, and vanilla extract in a large mixing bowl. Use an electric mixer to blend these ingredients until everything is well incorporated and the mixture turns creamy and fluffy. This step creates the silky base that will hold your Pinwheel Cookies together and give them that tender, melt-in-your-mouth texture.

Step 2: Add dry ingredients and combine

Next, stir in the all-purpose flour and salt into your butter mixture. Keep mixing until the dough begins to pull away from the sides of your bowl, forming a cohesive, soft dough. This is where structure meets softness, ensuring your cookies will hold their pretty pinwheel shape when baked.

Step 3: Divide and color the dough

Divide your dough evenly into two portions. Leave one plain, then add a few drops of pink food coloring to the other. Knead gently with a spatula or your hands until the color is evenly distributed and you’ve achieved a lovely pink shade. This contrast is what creates the signature swirl effect of your Pinwheel Cookies, making them instantly charming.

Step 4: Roll the dough into rectangles

On a lightly floured surface, roll each dough portion into a rectangle about ¼ inch thick. Try to get both rectangles roughly the same size for even layering. This step makes the rolling process smooth and helps your cookie dough layers line up perfectly for that iconic spiral look.

Step 5: Layer and roll the dough

Carefully place the pink dough sheet on top of the plain dough, aligning edges as best as possible. Starting at one edge, roll the layered dough tightly into a cylinder, like you’re making a jelly roll. This rolling action creates the beautiful pinwheel swirl at the heart of these cookies.

Step 6: Coat with sprinkles and chill

Pour pink sprinkles onto a flat plate and roll your dough cylinder on top, covering all sides evenly. Once coated, wrap the dough roll tightly in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 3 hours, or ideally overnight. Chilling firms the dough so that when you slice the rolls, they hold their shape perfectly and bake into neat, stunning spirals.

Step 7: Slice and bake

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Slice the chilled dough roll into disks about ¼ inch thick. Arrange them spaced about an inch apart on the sheet to allow for slight spreading. Bake for approximately 11 minutes until the edges just begin to turn golden. Resist the urge to overbake; these cookies should stay light and tender.

How to Serve Pinwheel Cookies

Garnishes

While the pink sprinkles already add a fabulous pop of color, you can further dress up your Pinwheel Cookies with a light dusting of powdered sugar for a gentle wintery look. A drizzle of white or dark chocolate can add a touch of decadence and gorgeous contrast if you want to impress guests.

Side Dishes

These cookies pair wonderfully with a cozy cup of hot cocoa or a fragrant vanilla chai latte. The warmth and spice from the drinks highlight the delicate vanilla flavors of the cookies beautifully. For a fun twist at gatherings, try serving alongside colorful fruit-infused sparkling water or a refreshing mint lemonade.

Creative Ways to Present

Lay your Pinwheel Cookies out on a pastel-colored plate or tiered dessert tray for a charming party centerpiece. You can also stack them with ribbons tied around the stacks for gift-giving during holidays or birthdays. For kids’ parties, arrange cookies upright in a clear vase or glass, turning them into edible pinwheel bouquets that are just too cute to eat (but you will want to!).

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Once baked and completely cooled, store your Pinwheel Cookies in an airtight container at room temperature. They stay fresh and tender for up to a week, making them a perfect make-ahead treat for busy days or unexpected guests.

Freezing

You can freeze the prepared dough roll before slicing, wrapped tightly in plastic wrap and tucked into a freezer bag for up to 3 months. When you’re ready, thaw overnight in the refrigerator, slice, and bake fresh cookies. Leftover baked cookies freeze well too; just store them in a freezer-safe container with parchment between layers.

Reheating

To enjoy your Pinwheel Cookies warm, pop them in a preheated 300°F oven for 5 minutes or microwave individually for 10 seconds. This brings out their buttery softness and enhances the vanilla aroma without drying them out.

FAQs

Can I use regular shortening instead of butter-flavored shortening?

Absolutely! While butter-flavored shortening adds a subtle buttery note, regular shortening works perfectly well if that’s what you have on hand. Your Pinwheel Cookies will still come out tender and delicious.

How important is chilling the dough roll?

Chilling is key to success. It firms up the dough so when you slice the rolls, the cookies hold their perfect pinwheel shape and don’t spread too much in the oven. Patience here pays off with stunning cookies.

Can I make these cookies gluten-free?

Yes, you can substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend designed for baking. Make sure your blend contains xanthan gum or another binding agent to help with texture.

What if I want a different color swirl?

Feel free to get creative with the food coloring! Blue, green, or even rainbow swirls can make these cookies perfect for any holiday or party theme. Just mix the color into one half of the dough as directed.

Are these cookies suitable for freezing after baking?

Definitely. Baked Pinwheel Cookies freeze well and can last up to 3 months. Just be sure to layer with parchment paper to prevent sticking and thaw at room temperature before serving.

Final Thoughts

Baking Pinwheel Cookies is like crafting little edible works of art that taste as wonderful as they look. The combination of buttery dough, playful pink hues, and crunchy sprinkles makes these cookies a delightful treat that’s perfect for any occasion. I can’t wait for you to try making these yourself — they bring such joy with every swirl and bite, and trust me, once you do, they’ll become a beloved favorite in your baking rotation!

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