Name: Peppermint Pinwheel Cookies
Prep time: 25 min
Cook time: 11 min
Total time: 36 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: Unsalted butter (1 cup or 227 grams): Softened to room temperature; Confectioners' sugar (3/4 cup or 90 grams); White sugar (3/4 cup or 150 grams); Vanilla extract (1 ½ teaspoons); Peppermint extract (1 teaspoon); Eggs (2); All-purpose flour (4 cups or 480 grams); Baking powder (3/4 teaspoon); Salt (1/4 teaspoon); Nonpareil sprinkles (1/2 cup)

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The air is filled with the sweet, unmistakable scent of peppermint, wafting gently through your kitchen as you prepare to make Peppermint Pinwheel Cookies. These delightful treats, with their cheerful red, white, and green swirls, beckon to be enjoyed during the festive season or at any gathering where holiday cheer is in the air. Each bite is a playful mixture of buttery cookies, a hint of mint, and a sprinkle of colorful nonpareils that not only taste delightful but also bring a whimsical spirit to any occasion. Picture yourself savoring one of these cookies, the soft texture melting in your mouth, and the peppermint providing that nostalgic connection to childhood holiday memories. It’s an experience that wraps around your heart as warmly as a cozy sweater—a perfect excuse to enter the kitchen and create magic.

Table of Contents

Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Ingredients You’ll Need
How to Make Peppermint Pinwheel Cookies
Storing & Reheating
Chef’s Helpful Tips
Recipe FAQs
Peppermint Pinwheel Cookies

If you’re ready to put a little joy in your baking routine, these Peppermint Pinwheel Cookies are just the ticket. So grab your mixing bowls, put on your favorite holiday playlist, and let’s create some enchanting, merry moments in the kitchen together!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Simple & Quick: This recipe comes together in about 25 minutes, plus some chilling time—perfect for a quick baking session!
Irresistible Flavor: The buttery cookies paired with refreshing peppermint will have you coming back for seconds.
Eye-Catching Appeal: With their vibrant swirls and festive colors, these cookies are sure to impress guests and family alike.
Flexible Serving: Great for holiday parties, cookie swaps, or simply as a delightful snack with your favorite hot beverage.
Diet-Friendly Options: You can easily make these cookies gluten-free by using a gluten-free flour blend.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Unsalted butter (1 cup or 227 grams): Softened to room temperature for easy creaming; this is the base for a rich flavor. If you’re in a pinch, you can use margarine, though it may slightly alter the texture.
Confectioners’ sugar (3/4 cup or 90 grams): Adds sweetness and a delicate texture. If you’ve run out, granulated sugar can be used, although the cookies will have a grainier texture.
White sugar (3/4 cup or 150 grams): Provides structure and a slight crunch. Regular granulated sugar works best here; brown sugar would make them chewier.
Vanilla extract (1 ½ teaspoons): Adds warmth and depth of flavor. Always opt for pure vanilla for the best results, but imitation vanilla can work in a pinch.
Peppermint extract (1 teaspoon): The star flavor! Be careful not to use too much, as it can quickly overpower the other tastes.
Eggs (2): Important for binding the dough. Use room-temperature eggs, as they blend better with the butter.
All-purpose flour (4 cups or 480 grams): The main structure of your cookies. For gluten-free options, a one-to-one gluten-free flour can be substituted.
Baking powder (3/4 teaspoon): Helps the cookies rise slightly without becoming too fluffy. Make sure it’s fresh!
Salt (1/4 teaspoon): Balances the sweetness and enhances all flavors in the cookies.
Nonpareil sprinkles (1/2 cup): These festive sprinkles add an eye-catching finish. Feel free to mix colors based on the occasion!

How to Make Peppermint Pinwheel Cookies

Combine Dry Ingredients: Start by whisking together the flour, baking powder, and salt in a large mixing bowl until they’re well combined. This process ensures that your cookies will bake evenly. Set this mixture aside—it will soon come together beautifully with the wet ingredients!

Cream Butter and Sugars: In another large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter, confectioners’ sugar, and white sugar together on medium speed until the mixture is light and fluffy, roughly for about 3 minutes. This creaming method is crucial as it incorporates air into the dough, leading to a delightful texture in your cookies.

Add Flavorings and Eggs: Mix in the vanilla extract, peppermint extract, and eggs into the butter mixture. Continue to beat until everything is fully combined and smooth. The delightful aroma at this stage will have you eager to dive deeper into the process!

Incorporate Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the flour mixture to the wet ingredients. Beat on low speed until a soft, not sticky dough forms—this should take just a minute or two. If the dough feels a bit too sticky, you might need to add a little more flour until it’s manageable.

Divide and Color Dough: Divide the dough into three equal portions. Wrap one portion in plastic wrap as the plain white dough and refrigerate it. For the remaining two portions, add green food coloring to one and red to the other. Use your hands to mix in the color, wearing gloves for easy clean-up! Once nicely tinted, wrap each colored dough separately and refrigerate for at least one hour.

Roll Out Dough: After chilling, remove the dough from the fridge and roll each portion out on a lightly floured piece of parchment paper into a rectangle measuring approximately 9×12 inches. The dough should be about 1/4 inch thick—this helps in achieving that beautiful swirl when you roll them up.

Assemble Dough Layers: Stack the colored doughs on top of one another—place the green on the bottom, followed by the white, and finally the red on top. Trim the edges with a sharp knife to ensure an even rectangle. Don’t worry about scraps; those are perfect for snacking later!

Roll into Log: Starting from the long side, carefully roll the stacked dough tightly into a log. Make sure to roll it evenly to maintain that perfect swirl. This step is where the magic happens—imagine the vibrant spirals waiting to be revealed!

Coat with Sprinkles: Pour the nonpareil sprinkles into a small container or rimmed baking sheet. Roll the dough log over the sprinkles, pressing gently so that they adhere to the surface. It’s a fun, festive touch that makes this cookie even more special!

Chill and Preheat: Wrap the sprinkle-coated log in plastic wrap again and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, or overnight if you prefer. When you’re ready to bake, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper, setting the stage for your masterpiece.

Slice and Bake: Once chilled, remove the dough log from the refrigerator and slice it into 1/4-inch thick rounds using a sharp knife. Place these on the prepared baking sheets, giving them a little space to expand. Bake for 9-11 minutes, or until the cookies are set but still soft—keep an eye on them! Let them cool briefly on the sheet before transferring them to a cooling rack to cool completely.

Storing & Reheating

To store your Peppermint Pinwheel Cookies, simply keep them in an airtight container at room temperature for about a week. If you want to extend their shelf life, refrigerate them in a tightly sealed container for up to two weeks. Want to save some for later? These cookies freeze beautifully—just stack them in an airtight container separated by parchment paper, and they’ll last up to three months. For a quick refresher, pop them in a preheated oven at 350°F for about 5 minutes, bringing back that fresh-baked warmth and texture.

Chef’s Helpful Tips

Make sure your butter is at room temperature; it blends easier, leading to a smoother cookie dough.
Watch the baking time closely! If you overbake, they’ll lose their soft and chewy texture.
If your dough feels too sticky after mixing, sprinkle a bit more flour as necessary to manage it better.
You can easily double the batch ahead of time if you have a lot of holiday gatherings coming up. Just freeze the dough logs!
Experiment with different colors or even flavored extracts for a creative twist.

There’s something undeniably charming about baking festive cookies, especially these Peppermint Pinwheel Cookies. Not only do they bring the joy of holiday flavors to your table, but they also allow for a bit of creativity with the swirls. So, roll up your sleeves and get ready to enjoy that sweet peppermint goodness!

Recipe FAQs

Can I make these cookies ahead of time?

Absolutely! You can prepare the dough ahead and keep it wrapped in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. If you want to store them longer, freeze the dough logs for up to 3 months. Just remember to thaw them overnight in the fridge before slicing and baking!

How can I adjust the flavors of these cookies?

Feel free to experiment with flavorings! You can swap out the peppermint extract for almond, hazelnut, or even a fruit extract for a new twist. Just adjust the quantity to your taste to ensure it’s not overpowering.

Can I use whole wheat flour instead of all-purpose flour?

Yes, you can use whole wheat flour; however, it will change the texture a bit, making the cookies denser. Consider blending it with all-purpose flour (half and half) to retain some lightness while adding more nutrition.

What if my dough is too soft to roll out?

If your dough seems too soft, it might need more chilling time. Just pop it back in the fridge for a while until it firms up. Additionally, ensure that your butter was well softened but not melted for the perfect consistency!