Festive Pinwheel Cookies

Follow our step-by-step guide on how to make Festive Pinwheel Cookies.

1. Step 1

   Start by sifting together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt into a bowl. For an extra light texture, resift the mixture into another bowl. This step ensures that all the dry ingredients are well combined and aerated, setting the stage for a perfect cookie dough.

2. Step 2

   In a separate mixing bowl, beat the butter with both the brown and white sugars until the mixture is light and fluffy. This process is crucial as it incorporates air into the butter, giving your cookies a delightful texture. Next, add the beaten eggs and vanilla extract, mixing until everything is smooth and well combined.

3. Step 3

   Gradually stir in the flour mixture, blending until the dough comes together. Once combined, gather the dough into a ball and divide it into two equal parts. Place one half in a separate bowl. Now comes the fun part: add a drop of red food coloring to one bowl and a drop of green to the other. Use a fork or wooden spoon to mix the colors into the dough until you achieve a vibrant hue. Feel free to add more drops if you desire a deeper color!

4. Step 4

   Roll out the red dough to about 1/4 inch thick on a lightly floured surface. Then, do the same with the green dough, placing it directly on top of the red. Starting from one edge, carefully roll the two layers together to form a log, creating a beautiful spiral effect. Once rolled, wrap the log in waxed paper and then in a cotton towel. Refrigerate for at least 8 hours, or overnight if you can wait! This chilling time helps the flavors meld and makes slicing easier.

5. Step 5

   When you're ready to bake, preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and lightly grease two baking sheets. Unwrap the chilled dough log and place it on a clean, lightly floured surface. Slice the log into rounds about 1/8 inch thick, and arrange them on the prepared baking sheets, giving them a little space to spread.

6. Step 6

   Bake in the preheated oven for 5 to 6 minutes, keeping a close eye to prevent the edges from browning. Once set, remove the cookies from the oven and let them cool on racks. Enjoy the festive colors and flavors of your homemade pinwheel cookies!