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Christmas Pinwheel Cookies

These Christmas Pinwheel Cookies are the ultimate festive treat — bright, cheerful, and guaranteed to stand out on any holiday dessert table.

Soft, buttery sugar cookie dough is divided into three layers (red, white, and green), rolled into a swirl, coated in sprinkles, chilled, sliced, and baked into perfectly round holiday pinwheels. They’re nostalgic, fun to make, and so pretty that people always ask for the recipe.

If there were ever a cookie that feels like Christmas, it’s these Christmas Pinwheel Cookies. They’re bright, colorful, and instantly festive — like little edible ornaments.

The swirl effect looks fancy, but it’s surprisingly simple once you layer the dough and roll it up. The best part? The sprinkles baked around the edges add crunch, sparkle, and extra holiday magic.

This dough is a classic butter cookie base, soft enough to slice easily but sturdy enough to hold those beautiful clean swirls. And because the dough chills before slicing, the cookies keep their perfect round shape. I love how every slice looks like a tiny Christmas wreath — it just makes you happy.

These are wonderful for cookie exchanges, gifting, baking with kids, or adding to your Christmas Eve dessert table. They stand out on a platter, and everyone always reaches for them first. They’re beautiful, buttery, and full of that nostalgic bakery-style charm.

Christmas Pinwheel Cookies Recipe

Ingredients

• 1 cup butter, softened
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 large egg
• 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
• 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
• ½ teaspoon baking powder
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• Red gel food coloring
• Green gel food coloring
• Christmas sprinkles

Instructions

Make the Dough

1. In a mixing bowl, cream together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
2. Add the egg and vanilla, mixing to combine.
3. Stir in the flour, baking powder, and salt until a soft dough forms.
4. Divide the dough into three equal portions.

Color & Layer

5. Tint one portion red with gel food coloring.
6. Leave one portion white (plain).
7. Tint the third portion green.
8. Roll each dough portion into a rectangle, keeping all three rectangles the same size.

Create the Pinwheel

9. Stack the rectangles: red on the bottom, white in the middle, green on top.
10. Gently roll the stacked dough into a tight log.
11. Roll the entire log in Christmas sprinkles so the outside is fully coated.
12. Wrap the log tightly in plastic wrap and chill for at least 1–2 hours.

Bake

13. Preheat oven to 350°F.
14. Slice the cookie log into ¼-inch thick rounds.
15. Place on a parchment-lined baking sheet and bake for 9–11 minutes, or until the edges are just set.
16. Cool on the pan for a few minutes, then transfer to a rack.

Jennie’s Thoughts

When I make these, I always feel like I’m crafting little holiday keepsakes. The red, white, and green layers come together so beautifully, and rolling the dough log in sprinkles is honestly so satisfying.

These cookies make the whole kitchen feel merry, and they look like something straight out of a Christmas bakery window. They’re simple, joyful, and such a fun little project during the holiday season.

These Christmas Pinwheel Cookies are the perfect combination of festive, fun, and delicious. The color layers and swirl make them showstoppers, and the taste is everything you want in a holiday cookie — buttery, soft, and sweet.

Whether you’re hosting a party, gifting treats, or just baking for fun, these cookies will bring instant Christmas cheer.