Description
Indulge, in the joy of the holiday season with these Pinwheel Christmas Cookies. They showcase captivating swirls of red and green in a buttery dough infused with a hint of vanilla. These cookies are not visually appealing but a treat for your taste buds capturing the essence of Christmas in every delicious bite. They are ideal, for get-togethers adding warmth and cheer to any gathering.
Ingredients
2 c all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp salt
12 tbsp unsalted butter, room temperature
3/4 c sugar
1 egg
1 tsp vanilla extract
1/2 to 1 tsp liquid red food coloring, to your color preference
1/2 to 1 tsp liquid green food coloring, to your color preference
Instructions
Start by preparing the dry ingredients. In a bowl combine 2 cups of flour, 1/2 teaspoon of baking powder and 1/4 teaspoon of salt.
Next cream together 12 tablespoons of butter and 3/4 cup of sugar until the mixture becomes fluffy. Then add 1 egg and 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract, to the mixture and mix well.
Gradually fold the dry ingredient mixture into the butter mixture. Take your time with this step.
To add some color to the dough divide it into thirds. Mix food coloring into one part and green food coloring into another part. Leave the part plain without any coloring added.
After that flatten each piece of dough to form a shape. Wrap each square in plastic wrap. Refrigerate them for an hour.
Once chilled roll out each piece of dough between parchment paper until they form approximately 10-inch squares in size.
Stack the plain and green layers on top of each other while trimming any edges as needed.
Create a log shape by rolling up all three layers. Wrap it tightly in wrap again. Chill, for another hour.
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Slice the dough log into 1/4-inch slices and place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or a silicone mat.
Bake them for around 12 to 15 minutes until they turn brown. Allow the cookies to cool briefly on the baking sheet before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Notes
Making these festive Pinwheel Christmas Cookies gluten-free is easier than you might expect! Here’s how you can do it while preserving the joy and deliciousness of the recipe:
Swap the Flour: Instead of using all-purpose flour opt, for a high-quality gluten-free flour blend. Look for one that can be substituted 1:1 to simplify things. If the blend doesn’t already include xanthan gum make sure to add it as it helps replicate the texture and structure provided by gluten.
Handle with Care: Gluten-free dough can be more delicate. When mixing your dough do so gently to avoid kneading. This will help maintain a texture in your cookies.
Chill for Stability: Chilling the dough is particularly beneficial as it helps the cookies retain their shape better during baking. Don’t skip this step—it’s more important here!
Double Check Your Ingredients: Make sure that your baking powder vanilla extract and food colorings are all certified gluten-free. There’s a chance of cross-contamination, during manufacturing so it’s always wise to verify.
Enjoy creating these gluten-free Pinwheel Christmas Cookies with confidence!
- Prep Time: 2 hours 45 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
