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Halloween Pinwheel Sugar Cookies Recipe

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★★★★★

5 from 118 reviews

Celebrate Halloween with these festive Pinwheel Sugar Cookies featuring layered orange, purple, and black doughs for a fun, colorful treat. Soft, buttery, and slightly sweet, these cookies are perfect for parties or holiday gatherings, decorated optionally with colored sanding sugar or sprinkles for extra flair.

Ingredients

Scale

Dry Ingredients

  • 2 1/2 cups (315g) all-purpose flour, sifted
  • 3/4 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon fine salt

Wet Ingredients

  • 1 cup (226g) unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 cup (200g) granulated sugar
  • 1 large egg, room temperature
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract (or almond extract for a twist)

Coloring & Decoration

  • Gel food coloring in orange, purple, and black
  • Optional: colored sanding sugar or Halloween sprinkles

Instructions

  1. Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the sifted all-purpose flour, baking powder, and fine salt until well combined. Set this mixture aside for later.
  2. Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large bowl or stand mixer, beat the softened unsalted butter and granulated sugar on medium speed for 2-3 minutes until the mixture is light, fluffy, and creamy.
  3. Add Egg and Extract: Beat in the large room-temperature egg and vanilla extract (or almond extract) until fully incorporated, scraping down the bowl as needed to ensure even mixing.
  4. Combine Dry and Wet Ingredients: Gradually add the dry flour mixture into the wet ingredients in thirds, stirring gently just until a soft dough forms. Avoid overmixing to keep cookies tender.
  5. Divide and Color Dough: Separate the dough evenly into three bowls. Add orange gel food coloring to one bowl, purple to the second, and black to the third. Knead each dough gently until the colors are uniformly blended.
  6. Roll Dough into Rectangles: Place each colored dough ball between sheets of parchment paper and roll out into a rectangle about 1/4 inch thick, roughly measuring 9 by 6 inches.
  7. Layer Dough Sheets: Carefully stack the purple dough rectangle on top of the black one, then place the orange dough on top of the purple, aligning edges. Trim edges if necessary to create a neat, even stack.
  8. Roll into Log: Starting from the long side, tightly roll the layered dough stack into a log using the parchment paper to guide the roll. Roll slowly and evenly to prevent cracking.
  9. Chill Dough: Wrap the dough log tightly in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 2 hours or up to overnight to firm up for easier slicing.
  10. Prepare for Baking: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper for easy cleanup and to prevent sticking.
  11. Slice Cookies: Remove the chilled dough log from the refrigerator and unwrap it. Using a sharp knife or dental floss, cut the log into 1/4-inch thick rounds. Optionally, sprinkle the edges with colored sanding sugar or Halloween sprinkles for decorative flair.
  12. Bake Cookies: Arrange the cookie rounds 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheets and bake in the preheated oven for 9-11 minutes. Bake until the cookies are just set and the edges start to turn a light golden color.
  13. Cool and Serve: Transfer the baked cookies to a wire rack and allow them to cool completely before serving or storing.

Notes

  • For best results, ensure butter and egg are at room temperature before mixing for smooth dough.
  • If dough cracks while rolling, chilling it longer can help it hold shape better.
  • Use gel food coloring for vibrant colors that won’t thin the dough.
  • Storing dough wrapped in plastic wrap tightly is important to prevent drying out during chilling.
  • Cookies can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
  • For variation, substitute vanilla extract with almond extract for a different flavor profile.
  • Use parchment paper to prevent sticking when rolling and stacking dough layers.
  • You can freeze sliced unbaked cookies for up to 1 month; bake directly from frozen, adding a couple extra minutes to baking time.

Keywords: Halloween cookies, sugar cookies, pinwheel cookies, colorful cookies, festive desserts, fall baking, holiday treats

Find it online: https://zarameals.com/halloween-pinwheel-sugar-cookies-recipe/