Let’s be honest—there’s something undeniably magical about baking during the holidays. The kitchen smells like sugar, spice, and everything nice. Soft music plays in the background, and the lights on the tree flicker in the corner. But what really makes it feel like Christmas in our home? These buttery, beautiful, swirl-tastic Christmas Pinwheel Shortbread Cookies.
Every year, as soon as December hits, this recipe comes out. It’s a family favorite, not just because it tastes amazing, but because it looks like Christmas. The vibrant red swirl and sprinkle-dusted edges make these cookies stand out on any holiday tray. They’re festive, fun, and surprisingly easy to make. Best of all? They taste like shortbread dreams come true—soft, buttery, and perfectly sweet without being too much.
🍪 Why These Pinwheel Shortbread Cookies Are a Holiday Favorite
Out of all the cookies we make every holiday season, these ones always disappear first. Why? Because they look like they took hours, but they’re incredibly simple. You get all the buttery goodness of classic shortbread, plus the festive look of pinwheel swirls and colorful Christmas sprinkles. They’re eye-catching and cheerful—like edible holiday decorations.
But what really seals the deal is their texture. These cookies are:
- Soft, but not crumbly.
- Buttery, but not greasy.
- Sweet, but balanced.
They pair beautifully with a mug of hot cocoa or a plate of Christmas morning pancakes. And let’s not forget—they’re made to impress.
🎁 The Story Behind the Swirl – A Personal Holiday Memory
I still remember the first time I made these cookies. My kids were small, and they’d just started getting into helping in the kitchen. We rolled out the dough, giggling the entire time because our rectangles weren’t exactly rectangular. But when we rolled it up and sliced it? That swirl made their eyes light up like the Christmas tree.
Now, every year, they ask, “When are we making the swirly cookies?” It’s become a tradition—flour-covered counters, sticky fingers from sneaking sprinkles, and that unmistakable smell of buttery dough baking in the oven.
🔧 Essential Tools & Equipment You’ll Need
Before diving in, here’s what you’ll need for a stress-free baking session:
Mixing Tools
- Stand mixer or handheld electric mixer
- Rubber spatula
- Mixing bowls
Rolling Tools
- Rolling pin
- Parchment paper
- Ruler (optional but helpful for precision)
Baking Tools
- Baking sheets
- Parchment paper or silicone baking mats
- Sharp knife (for slicing the log)
- Plastic wrap (for chilling the dough)
Having everything prepped and ready makes the process smooth—and lets you focus on the fun part!
🧈 Ingredients List – Simple, Classic, and Festive
Here’s what you need for this recipe, all of which you likely already have in your kitchen:
Main Ingredients
- 1 cup (226 g) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup (200 g) granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 3 cups (360 g) all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon salt (omit if using salted butter)
For the Festive Swirl
- Red gel food coloring (don’t use liquid—it’ll mess with the dough texture)
For Decoration
- ¾ cup Christmas sprinkles (red, green, white mix)
🧈 The Role of Butter in Perfect Shortbread
Let’s talk butter—because it’s the heart of this cookie.
Shortbread gets its signature melt-in-your-mouth texture from butter. No margarine, no shortening—only real, unsalted butter. The trick is to make sure your butter is softened but not melted. You want it to cream nicely with the sugar and give that tender crumb without greasiness.
Quick Tip: Leave the butter out for 1-2 hours before baking. It should be soft enough to press a finger into, but not so soft it collapses.
🌈 Choosing the Right Food Coloring for Bright Swirls
Color is everything in this recipe. That red swirl should pop—not fade or bleed.
Use gel food coloring, not the liquid drops. Gel gives you that deep, rich color with just a small amount, and it doesn’t change the consistency of your dough.
Pro Tip: Wear gloves while kneading in the coloring. Trust me—red hands aren’t the best holiday look.
✨ The Power of Christmas Sprinkles: Edges That Sparkle
Let’s not skip the sprinkles—because they’re the finishing touch that makes these cookies sleigh-ready. When you coat the dough log in sprinkles before chilling, those festive bits bake into the edges and create a magical, glittery effect.
Look at the image—see how perfectly the sprinkles wrap around the cookie edges? That’s the look we’re going for.
Choose nonpareils or tiny jimmies in red, green, and white. Avoid large or chewy ones—they won’t stick well and can throw off the texture.
📝 Step-by-Step Instructions (Fully Explained)
Let’s break this down step-by-step. No rush. Grab a mug of cocoa and let’s bake!
👩🍳 Cream the Butter and Sugar (2 Minutes)
- Add the softened butter and sugar to a bowl.
- Beat with a mixer for about 2 minutes until smooth—don’t overmix, we don’t want fluffiness here.
- The goal is a creamy, soft blend. Think of it like mixing up frosting.
🥄 Mix in the Egg and Vanilla (1 Minute)
- Add the egg and vanilla extract.
- Mix until fully combined. The dough will get smoother, softer, and smell like sweet vanilla clouds. It’s heavenly.
🌾 Add Flour and Salt (1–2 Minutes)
- Gradually mix in the flour and salt.
- Keep the speed low to avoid a flour storm.
- Mix until a soft dough forms. If it’s a bit crumbly, don’t panic—use your hands to press it together gently. The warmth helps it bond.
🌓 Divide and Color: Creating the Two Doughs (2 Minutes)
- Split the dough evenly in half.
- Leave one half plain.
- To the other half, add red gel food coloring and knead until the color is even and vibrant.
- You’ll now have one white dough and one red dough—ready to swirl!
🧻 Roll Both Doughs Into Rectangles (3–4 Minutes)
- Roll each dough between two sheets of parchment to 10×12 inches.
- Try to get them the same size and about ¼ inch thick.
- Trim the edges with a knife or ruler for sharp, clean lines (worth the extra minute!).
📏 Stack the Layers (30 Seconds)
- Carefully lift the red dough and lay it on top of the plain dough.
- Use your rolling pin to gently press out air bubbles.
- Don’t rush—lining up the layers sets up that perfect spiral.
🥖 Roll into a Tight Log (1 Minute)
- Start rolling from the long edge—slow and steady.
- Keep the roll tight, but don’t stretch the dough.
- Think of it like rolling up a yoga mat. You want a firm, even spiral.
✨ Coat the Outside with Sprinkles (1 Minute)
Now comes the fun (and festive) part—decorating!
- Pour your Christmas sprinkles onto a tray or plate.
- Gently roll the dough log over the sprinkles, pressing slightly so they stick to the outer edge.
- Make sure the entire outside is coated for that dazzling holiday look.
It should look like a candy cane dream—red and white spirals with sparkly, colorful sides. Just like the cookies in the image. 🎄
❄️ Chill the Dough Log (Fridge: 2 Hours | Freezer: 40 Minutes)
This step is absolutely non-negotiable.
- Wrap the sprinkle-coated log tightly in plastic wrap.
- Place it in the fridge for 2 hours or in the freezer for 40 minutes if you’re short on time.
Why chill? It helps the dough firm up, prevents spreading in the oven, and ensures clean, beautiful swirls when slicing.
Pro Tip: You can make the dough ahead of time and keep it chilled overnight!
🔪 Slice into Rounds (2–3 Minutes)
Time to reveal those gorgeous spirals!
- Unwrap the dough and use a sharp knife to cut ¼-inch slices.
- Rotate the log slightly between cuts to keep it round and prevent flattening.
- If any cookies lose their shape, gently reshape them before baking.
You should get about 24 cookies, all looking like tiny Christmas presents.
🔥 Bake at 325°F (165°C) for 10–12 Minutes
- Line your baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Place the cookies about 1 inch apart—they won’t spread much.
- Bake until the tops are set but not browned.
Important: The cookies should stay pale. If they brown, they’ve baked too long and will lose that soft shortbread texture.
🧊 Cool Completely (About 20 Minutes)
Let the cookies rest on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack.
As they cool, they’ll firm up perfectly—soft in the center, tender at the edges, and full of melt-in-your-mouth magic.
Now you have cookies that look exactly like the image: festive red-and-white spirals with a dazzling sprinkle border and a soft shortbread texture.
Print
🎄 Christmas Pinwheel Shortbread Cookies Recipe
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 2 hours 32 minutes
- Category: Dessert • Christmas Cookies • Shortbread • Holiday Baking
Description
✨ These buttery little spirals always remind me of the magic of Christmas mornings—soft music playing, kids peeking into the kitchen, and that sweet smell of holiday baking filling the air. Every time I slice into this dough and see that perfect red swirl, it feels like opening a tiny present. ✨ And oh, the way those sprinkle-coated edges sparkle… it’s hard not to smile. 🎄❤️
Ingredients
1 cup (226 g) unsalted butter, softened
1 cup (200 g) granulated sugar
1 large egg
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
3 cups (360 g) all-purpose flour
½ teaspoon salt (skip if using salted butter)
Red gel food coloring
¾ cup Christmas sprinkles
Instructions
Cream the butter and sugar (2 minutes)
Beat together until creamy—smooth, not fluffy. 😊Mix in the egg and vanilla (1 minute)
The dough will smell like pure holiday magic. ✨Add flour and salt (1–2 minutes)
Mix gently until a soft dough forms. If it crumbles, press it together with warm hands.Divide the dough in half (30 seconds)
One for the classic shortbread base, one for that bright red swirl.Color one portion red (1–2 minutes)
Knead in red gel food coloring until vibrant and even.Roll both doughs into matching rectangles (3–4 minutes)
Aim for 10×12 inches, about ¼ inch thick. Trim edges for clean lines.Stack the layers (30 seconds)
Place the red dough over the plain one and press out air bubbles.Roll into a tight log (1 minute)
Start from the long edge and roll slowly for that perfect spiral.Coat the outside with sprinkles (1 minute)
Roll the log over a tray of Christmas sprinkles to get those festive edges. 🎄Chill the dough log (2 hours in fridge or 40 minutes in freezer)
This ensures sharp slices and zero spreading.Slice into rounds (2–3 minutes)
Cut ¼-inch slices with a sharp knife, rotating the log slightly as you go.Bake at 325°F (165°C) (10–12 minutes)
Place on parchment-lined sheets and bake until set but not browned—the tops should stay pale and soft.Cool completely (20 minutes)
They firm up beautifully as they cool.
Notes
For the brightest pinwheel effect, use gel food coloring, not liquid.
Chilling the dough log is essential — it prevents spreading and keeps the swirl sharp.
If the dough cracks while rolling, warm it lightly with your hands and continue.
Use a very sharp knife or a piece of unflavored dental floss to slice clean, even rounds.
Sprinkles on the edges not only look festive but also add a perfect little crunch.
Store cookies in an airtight container for up to a week — they stay buttery and tender.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 24 cookies
- Calories: 140 kcal
🧊 Make-Ahead Tips: Can You Freeze This Dough?
Yes! These cookies are perfect for freezing.
To Freeze the Dough:
- Roll and coat the dough log with sprinkles.
- Wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and place it in a freezer bag.
- Freeze for up to 2 months.
- When ready to bake, slice straight from the freezer and add 1–2 extra minutes of bake time.
To Freeze Baked Cookies:
- Once cooled, store cookies in an airtight container.
- Freeze for up to 1 month.
- Thaw at room temperature before serving.
Perfect for planning ahead or gifting!
You may also like :
Christmas Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe: The Ultimate Holiday Treat
Candy Cane Kiss Cookies Recipe – The Ultimate Festive Treat for the Holidays!
🍫 Fun Variations: Chocolate Swirls, Mint Twists, and More
Once you master the classic red swirl, the possibilities are endless!
- Chocolate Swirl: Add 2 tablespoons cocoa powder to one half of the dough instead of food coloring.
- Peppermint Twist: Add ½ teaspoon peppermint extract and use red and white dough for a candy cane flavor.
- Rainbow Cookies: Split the dough into 3 portions and color them red, green, and white—layer and roll for a tricolor pinwheel!
Let your imagination go wild. These cookies are the perfect canvas for holiday creativity.
🎁 Serving Ideas: Holiday Platters, Gifting, and Kids’ Parties
These cookies are more than just a treat—they’re a showstopper.
Holiday Cookie Platters
- Mix these in with other festive cookies for a stunning dessert display.
- Add chocolate-dipped pretzels, snowball cookies, or gingerbread men for variety.
Edible Gifts
- Place 4–6 cookies in a clear treat bag with a ribbon.
- Add a tag that says “Merry & Swirly” or “Baked with Love.”
Kids’ Party Treats
- Let kids help slice and decorate.
- Serve with mini cups of hot cocoa or warm milk for a holiday cookie station.
🎄 Conclusion: A Cookie That Feels Like a Gift
There’s just something about these Christmas Pinwheel Shortbread Cookies that feels magical. The buttery richness, the perfect swirl, the sparkle of holiday sprinkles—it’s like biting into a memory. They’re the kind of treat that brings people together, whether you’re baking with your kids, gifting to friends, or sneaking one for yourself with your morning coffee.
So this holiday season, don’t just make cookies—make moments. Roll out the dough, play some Christmas tunes, and let the joy swirl right into your kitchen.
Similar recipes :
Soft Christmas Cookies Recipe: A Melt-in-Your-Mouth Holiday Delight
Ginger Molasses Christmas Cookies – A Holiday Favorite That Warms the Soul
❓FAQs
1. Can I use liquid food coloring instead of gel?
It’s not recommended. Liquid coloring can change the dough’s consistency. Stick to gel for rich color and perfect texture.
2. My cookies spread too much—what went wrong?
Most likely, the dough wasn’t chilled enough. Always chill the log for at least 2 hours before slicing.
3. Can I make this recipe gluten-free?
Yes! Use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend. Results may vary slightly, but the cookies should still hold their shape.
4. How long do these cookies stay fresh?
Stored in an airtight container at room temperature, they stay fresh for up to 1 week.
5. Can I use different colors for other holidays?
Absolutely! Try pastel pink and white for Valentine’s Day, or orange and black for Halloween. This is a year-round recipe in disguise.
