Peppermint Pinwheel Cookies

Is it even the holidays without peppermint pinwheels? Every holiday cookie spread should include at least one peppermint cookie, and these festive slice-and-bake cookies are sure to bring a smile to everyone’s face. The simple buttery cookie dough comes together quickly, with one half scented with vanilla and the other with peppermint extract and red food coloring. Stack the dough halves, roll into a log, chill and slice. The pretty design brightens up any cookie platter, and they’re perfect for boxing up as gifts to friends and family. Just be sure to save a few for yourself, and don’t forget the hot cocoa.

Ingredients for Peppermint Pinwheel Cookies

• Butter: Use softened unsalted butter to cream with granulated sugar for a light and airy texture. There are ways to soften butter quickly, even in a cold kitchen.
• Granulated sugar: Sugar adds sweetness and contributes to the tender texture of these cookies.
• Egg: You’ll need only one egg yolk to help bind ingredients. It’s easier to separate eggs while they’re cold, and save the whites for another use.
• Vanilla extract: While peppermint is the primary flavor, vanilla extract enhances the cookies.
• Peppermint extract: Peppermint extract brings all the flavor to the table in these pinwheel cookies. Try to use a natural extract, not imitation; the flavor will be better.
• All-purpose flour: Incorporate all-purpose flour to provide structure for the cookies.
• Baking powder: A small amount of baking powder helps the cookies rise just slightly while baking.
• Salt: Incorporate a touch of salt to balance out the sweetness in these cookies.
• Red food coloring: Red food coloring tints half the dough to achieve the festive pinwheel effect.

Directions

Step 1: Cream the butter and sugar

Cream the butter and sugar until light and fluffy, five to seven minutes. Beat in the egg yolk and vanilla.

Editor’s Tip: It’s essential to cream butter and sugar long enough for an airy texture. It typically takes longer than you might think, so patience is key.

Step 2: Add the dry ingredients

In another bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder and salt. Gradually beat the dry ingredients into the creamed mixture.

Step 3: Divide and color the dough

Divide the dough in half. Mix the peppermint extract and food coloring together in one portion.

Step 4: Roll and chill the dough

Between waxed paper, roll each portion of dough into a 16×10-inch rectangle. Remove the waxed paper. Place the red rectangle over the plain rectangle. Roll up the dough tightly jelly-roll style, starting with a long side. Wrap in storage wrap, and refrigerate overnight or until firm.

Step 5: Slice and bake

Preheat the oven to 350°F. Unwrap and cut the dough into 1/4-inch slices. Place the cookies 2 inches apart on lightly greased baking sheets and bake until set, 12 to 14 minutes. Cool on pans for two minutes before removing to wire racks to cool completely.

Peppermint Pinwheel Cookie Variations

• Swap the color: Make peppermint pinwheels red, use green instead of red, or use a mixture of red and green.
• Try another flavor: Peppermint extract adds a festive touch of flavor, but you can choose to use any extract you’d like for these cookies. Consider using orange or lemon instead for a citrusy twist.
• Add sprinkles: Dress the tops of these cookies with nonpareil sprinkles. Add them on top before baking the cookies. For sprinkles around the edges, roll the cookies in nonpareils before chilling and cutting the cookies.
• Dip in chocolate: To dress them up, dunk each half in melted chocolate and garnish with sprinkles if desired.

How to Store Peppermint Pinwheel Cookies

To preserve the texture and flavor of peppermint pinwheels, store them in an airtight container or zip-top bag. These cookies can be stored in an airtight container for three to four weeks at room temperature or longer in the fridge.

Can you freeze peppermint pinwheel cookies?

Peppermint pinwheels freeze very well. To freeze cookies, store them in an airtight container or in a freezer bag for up to two months. Let cookies thaw at room temperature.

Peppermint Pinwheel Cookie Tips

How can you cut the pinwheel cookies without flattening them?

To avoid altering the shape of the pinwheel cookies, be sure the dough is very cold when slicing. It also helps to cut the cookies with a piece of string, a serrated knife or a very sharp chef’s knife to get round cookies with a defined design.

Why did my cookies spread when I baked them?

The key to keeping the shape of these cookies is all about chilling the dough. Be sure to let the dough chill until very firm, ideally overnight, to prevent any spreading in the oven.

How do I wrap cookies for holiday gifting?

These peppermint pinwheels make a wonderful addition to any holiday cookie box. Wrap one dozen pinwheels in cellophane and tie it with a ribbon, or include them with a mixture of cookies in a cookie tin for gifting. Find more cookie packaging ideas for gifting.