Holiday Pinwheel Sugar Swirls

Featured in: Sweet Prairie Treats

These festive holiday pinwheel cookies feature a buttery, tender dough with vibrant red and green swirls, creating a visually appealing treat for seasonal celebrations. The dough is divided, colored, and layered before being rolled into a log and chilled for firm slicing. Baking yields delicate cookies with a soft texture and sweet vanilla notes, enhanced optionally by sanding sugars for a festive finish. Ideal for sharing at holiday gatherings or cookie swaps, these buttery delights bring a cheerful touch to any occasion.

Updated on Fri, 21 Nov 2025 08:17:00 GMT
Swirling red and green Holiday Pinwheel Cookies, ready to be sliced, perfect for Christmas treats. Save to Pinterest
Swirling red and green Holiday Pinwheel Cookies, ready to be sliced, perfect for Christmas treats. | honeyprairie.com

Festive, buttery sugar cookies with vibrant red and green swirls, perfect for holiday celebrations and cookie exchanges.

I have always enjoyed making these cookies with my family during the holidays; the colorful swirls bring joy to everyone.

Ingredients

  • For the Dough: 2 1/2 cups (315 g) all-purpose flour, 3/4 teaspoon baking powder, 1/4 teaspoon salt, 1 cup (225 g) unsalted butter softened, 1 cup (200 g) granulated sugar, 1 large egg, 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
  • For Coloring and Decoration: Red gel food coloring, Green gel food coloring, 1/3 cup (65 g) colored sanding sugar (red and green) optional

Instructions

Step 1:
In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour baking powder and salt Set aside.
Step 2:
In a large bowl beat the butter and sugar together until light and fluffy (about 2 3 minutes).
Step 3:
Add the egg and vanilla extract and beat until combined.
Step 4:
Gradually add the flour mixture mixing just until incorporated.
Step 5:
Divide the dough into three equal portions Leave one plain Tint one portion with red food coloring and the other with green mixing each until the color is even.
Step 6:
Roll each dough portion between two sheets of parchment paper into rectangles about 9x6 inches (23x15 cm) to roughly the same size and thickness Chill for 20 minutes.
Step 7:
Carefully stack the colored dough rectangles placing the plain layer on the bottom followed by red then green Trim edges to align.
Step 8:
Tightly roll up the dough from the long side into a log peeling away the parchment as you go If desired roll the log in colored sanding sugar for a festive edge.
Step 9:
Wrap the log in plastic wrap and chill for at least 2 hours until firm.
Step 10:
Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
Step 11:
Slice the chilled log into 1/4 inch (0.6 cm) rounds and place on prepared baking sheets spacing 2 inches apart.
Step 12:
Bake for 9 11 minutes until just set but not browned Cool on the sheet for 3 minutes then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
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| honeyprairie.com

Making these cookies together creates memorable holiday moments for my family every year.

Required Tools

Electric mixer Mixing bowls Measuring cups and spoons Rolling pin Parchment paper Plastic wrap Sharp knife Baking sheets Wire rack

Allergen Information

Contains wheat (gluten) eggs and dairy (butter) Colored sugars and food coloring may contain allergens check labels if sensitive

Nutritional Information

Calories 90 Total Fat 4.5 g Carbohydrates 12 g Protein 1 g per cookie

Close up of freshly baked Holiday Pinwheel Cookies, showing vibrant colors and delightful cookie texture. Save to Pinterest
Close up of freshly baked Holiday Pinwheel Cookies, showing vibrant colors and delightful cookie texture. | honeyprairie.com

These festive cookies will brighten your holiday table and become a family favorite for years to come.

Holiday Pinwheel Sugar Swirls

Buttery sugar treats with red and green swirls, perfect for festive celebrations and holiday exchanges.

Prep duration
30 minutes
Cook duration
10 minutes
Overall time needed
40 minutes
Recipe by Honey Prairie Abigail Greene


Skill Level Medium

Cuisine type American

Makes 36 Number of portions

Diet specifications Meatless

What You'll Need

Dough

01 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
02 3/4 teaspoon baking powder
03 1/4 teaspoon salt
04 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
05 1 cup granulated sugar
06 1 large egg
07 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract

Coloring and Decoration

01 Red gel food coloring
02 Green gel food coloring
03 1/3 cup colored sanding sugar, optional

How to Make It

Step 01

Mix dry ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.

Step 02

Cream butter and sugar: In a large bowl, beat butter and sugar until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes.

Step 03

Add egg and vanilla: Incorporate egg and vanilla extract into the butter mixture until combined.

Step 04

Combine dry and wet mixtures: Gradually add the flour mixture, mixing just until incorporated without overworking.

Step 05

Divide and color dough: Separate dough into three equal portions; leave one plain, tint one with red gel coloring and another with green gel coloring until evenly colored.

Step 06

Roll dough sheets: Roll each dough portion between parchment sheets into rectangles approximately 9 by 6 inches; chill for 20 minutes.

Step 07

Stack dough layers: Layer the dough sheets with plain on bottom, red in the middle, and green on top; trim edges to align.

Step 08

Form the log: Roll the stacked dough tightly from the long edge into a log, removing parchment as you roll; optionally roll log in colored sanding sugar.

Step 09

Chill log: Wrap the dough log in plastic wrap and refrigerate at least 2 hours until firm.

Step 10

Prepare for baking: Preheat oven to 350°F and line baking sheets with parchment paper.

Step 11

Slice and arrange: Cut chilled log into 1/4-inch thick rounds and place them 2 inches apart on baking sheets.

Step 12

Bake cookies: Bake slices for 9 to 11 minutes until set but not browned; cool on sheet for 3 minutes then transfer to wire rack to cool completely.

Essential tools

  • Electric mixer
  • Mixing bowls
  • Measuring cups and spoons
  • Rolling pin
  • Parchment paper
  • Plastic wrap
  • Sharp knife
  • Baking sheets
  • Wire rack

Allergy Details

Go through all ingredients to spot potential allergies. If unsure, check with a health expert.
  • Contains wheat (gluten), eggs, and dairy (butter); colored sugars and food coloring may also contain allergens—check labels if sensitive.

Nutrition details (per portion)

Details for informational use only — not a substitute for a medical professional.
  • Energy (calories): 90
  • Lipids: 4.5 g
  • Carbohydrates: 12 g
  • Proteins: 1 g