Festive buttery sugar swirls

Featured in: Holiday Favorites

These delightful festive sugar swirls combine buttery dough with vibrant red and green colors to create a visually stunning and flavorful treat. The dough is prepared with simple ingredients like all-purpose flour, butter, sugar, eggs, and vanilla, then tinted and layered before chilling. Once sliced and baked to a tender finish, these swirls offer a perfect balance of sweet richness and festive charm to brighten any holiday occasion.

Updated on Sat, 22 Nov 2025 14:51:00 GMT
Swirled, vibrant Holiday Pinwheel Cookies, ready to eat, showing off their cheerful red and green swirls. Save to Pinterest
Swirled, vibrant Holiday Pinwheel Cookies, ready to eat, showing off their cheerful red and green swirls. | krispyrecipes.com

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

These cookies quickly became a family favorite during our holiday gatherings, reminding us of joyful winters together.

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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| krispyrecipes.com

This recipe always brings smiles during family cookie exchanges and holiday celebrations, creating treasured memories.

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 baked Holiday Pinwheel Cookies: colorful, sugary spirals, perfect for gifting or enjoying at home. Save to Pinterest
Close-up of baked Holiday Pinwheel Cookies: colorful, sugary spirals, perfect for gifting or enjoying at home. | krispyrecipes.com

These cookies are sure to brighten your holiday season with both appearance and taste.

Festive buttery sugar swirls

Buttery sugar swirls in festive red and green colors for joyful holiday treats.

Prep Duration
30 minutes
Cooking Duration
10 minutes
Overall Time
40 minutes
Created by Mia Harper

Recipe Type Holiday Favorites

Skill Level Medium

Cuisine Type American

Total Portions 36 Serving Size

Dietary Considerations Veggie-Friendly

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 (red and green), optional

How to Make It

Step 01

Prepare Dry Ingredients: Whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt in a medium bowl and set aside.

Step 02

Cream Butter and Sugar: Beat butter and granulated sugar in a large bowl until light and fluffy, approximately 2 to 3 minutes.

Step 03

Incorporate Egg and Vanilla: Add the egg and vanilla extract to the butter mixture and beat until fully combined.

Step 04

Combine Wet and Dry Mixtures: Gradually add the dry ingredients, mixing just until incorporated to form the dough.

Step 05

Divide and Color Dough: Split the dough into three equal portions; leave one plain, tint one with red gel coloring and the other with green, mixing each until color is uniform.

Step 06

Roll Dough Portions: Roll each portion between parchment paper to rectangles approximately 9 by 6 inches, ensuring even thickness; chill for 20 minutes.

Step 07

Stack Colored Layers: Layer the dough rectangles starting with plain at the bottom, followed by red, then green; trim edges to align precisely.

Step 08

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

Step 09

Chill Dough Log: Wrap the log tightly in plastic wrap and chill for at least 2 hours until firm.

Step 10

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

Step 11

Slice and Arrange: Cut the chilled dough log into 1/4-inch thick rounds and place on baking sheets spaced 2 inches apart.

Step 12

Bake and Cool: Bake for 9 to 11 minutes until just set without browning; cool for 3 minutes on the baking sheet before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.

Tools You’ll Need

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

Possible Allergens

Double-check each ingredient for allergens and consult an expert if you're unsure.
  • Contains wheat (gluten), eggs, and dairy (butter). Colored sugars and food colorings may contain allergens; verify labels if sensitive.

Nutritional Information (per serving)

This data is for informational purposes and shouldn't replace professional advice.
  • Calorie Count: 90
  • Total Fat: 4.5 grams
  • Total Carbohydrates: 12 grams
  • Protein Content: 1 grams