How to Make Pinwheel Cookies Perfectly

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make Pinwheel Cookies perfectly

How to Make Pinwheel Cookies Perfectly

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Step 1 of 22
Allow 2 blocks of time with 4+ hours in between to complete project... Time to mix & prepare dough... 4+ hours (or overnight)  to chill prepared dough... Then later. a half hour or so to bake cookies.

Allow 2 blocks of time with 4+ hours in between to complete project... Time to mix & prepare dough... 4+ hours (or overnight) to chill prepared dough... Then later. a half hour or so to bake cookies.

Step 2 of 22

Mix butter, sugar, vanilla & egg. Set aside cocoa. Add remaining ingredients exxcept cocoa, mixing well. Divide dough... Mixing 1/4 cup cocoa into half.

Step 3 of 22
Divide dough. Stir 1/4 C dough into half.

Divide dough. Stir 1/4 C dough into half.

Step 4 of 22
A Rolling pin cover is essential, as is WAX PAPER!  I've perfected this method over 40 years of Christmas baking.

A Rolling pin cover is essential, as is WAX PAPER! I've perfected this method over 40 years of Christmas baking.

Step 5 of 22
On 24" sheet of wax paper, roll chocolate dough to 10" x 17" rectangle. NOTE: fold wax paper edge over counter edge and pushing up against counter with your tummy while rolling helps to keep it still.

On 24" sheet of wax paper, roll chocolate dough to 10" x 17" rectangle. NOTE: fold wax paper edge over counter edge and pushing up against counter with your tummy while rolling helps to keep it still.

Step 6 of 22
I use a tape measure to guide me and clean fingers can help shape into accurate rectangle.

I use a tape measure to guide me and clean fingers can help shape into accurate rectangle.

Step 7 of 22
Cover chocolate rectangle with another sheet of wax paper. Carefully roll up with wax paper on both top and bottom. This is what will make it possible to later UNROLL on top of the white layer.

Cover chocolate rectangle with another sheet of wax paper. Carefully roll up with wax paper on both top and bottom. This is what will make it possible to later UNROLL on top of the white layer.

Step 8 of 22
Once rolled up, temporarily set aside.

Once rolled up, temporarily set aside.

Step 9 of 22
Roll out white dough the same size 10" x 17" rectangle on another 24" sheet I wax paper.

Roll out white dough the same size 10" x 17" rectangle on another 24" sheet I wax paper.

Step 10 of 22
Again, feel free to shape edges & corners to form rectangle the same size as the chocolate one was.

Again, feel free to shape edges & corners to form rectangle the same size as the chocolate one was.

Step 11 of 22
Now you will truly see the value of the wax paper! Unroll wax paper from edge of chocolate just enough to expose about 1 inch and move over to just above white dough edge.

Now you will truly see the value of the wax paper! Unroll wax paper from edge of chocolate just enough to expose about 1 inch and move over to just above white dough edge.

Step 12 of 22
Both sheets of wax paper are being removed as you UNROLL chocolate onto white matching edges.

Both sheets of wax paper are being removed as you UNROLL chocolate onto white matching edges.

Step 13 of 22
One hand pulls wax paper out of the way as the other hand rolls chocolate out over white.

One hand pulls wax paper out of the way as the other hand rolls chocolate out over white.

Step 14 of 22
Once chocolate is over white, the recipe suggests rolling it a little thinner and longer... From 17" to 18-19" on the long side. This thins the dough a bit and makes for more cookies.

Once chocolate is over white, the recipe suggests rolling it a little thinner and longer... From 17" to 18-19" on the long side. This thins the dough a bit and makes for more cookies.

Step 15 of 22
On the LONG side, using the bottom wax paper to help you, roll up slowly and tightly  into a cylinder, being careful to not allow spaces between layers.

On the LONG side, using the bottom wax paper to help you, roll up slowly and tightly into a cylinder, being careful to not allow spaces between layers.

Step 16 of 22
See how helpful again the wax paper can be for helping to LIFT & roll?  Do not roll wax paper into the dough however. Remember... Roll dough TIGHTLY!

See how helpful again the wax paper can be for helping to LIFT & roll? Do not roll wax paper into the dough however. Remember... Roll dough TIGHTLY!

Step 17 of 22
The ends always look messy but inside you have a perfect pinwheel... You will see later, when you slice. Cover with one of the sheets of wax paper to keep moist & refrigerate 4+ hours.

The ends always look messy but inside you have a perfect pinwheel... You will see later, when you slice. Cover with one of the sheets of wax paper to keep moist & refrigerate 4+ hours.

Step 18 of 22
Chill at least 4 hours. Overnight works too. You want it to firm up.

Chill at least 4 hours. Overnight works too. You want it to firm up.

Step 19 of 22
Slice 1/8 - 1/4". Any sharp knife works. (I tried my new cheese knife this time but found that a simple SHARP non-serrated knife works better) If it sticks, it's helpful to dip knife in hot water.

Slice 1/8 - 1/4". Any sharp knife works. (I tried my new cheese knife this time but found that a simple SHARP non-serrated knife works better) If it sticks, it's helpful to dip knife in hot water.

Step 20 of 22
The whit specks are the finely chopped nuts.

The whit specks are the finely chopped nuts.

Step 21 of 22
Bake in  400° oven 9-11 minutes. Don't over brown.

Bake in 400° oven 9-11 minutes. Don't over brown.

Step 22 of 22
These add a fun look to my Christmas cookie assortment every year!

These add a fun look to my Christmas cookie assortment every year!

Start Over

14 Comments
Supplies

1 ¼ Cups Soft Butter

1 ⅔ Cups Confectioners sugar

1 Egg

2 Teaspoons Vanilla

3 Cups Flour

¼ Teaspoons Salt

1 ½ Cups Finely chipped nuts

¼ Cups Cocoa

Wax paper (a must)

Rolling pin w/sock

Chaos 4life

Love it, thanks!

Chaos 4life 5 months ago

Dabela I

I did it but I went to the store to get it thank u soooo much my family say thank u too!!! Just one thing they came out like big cookies hahahaha How did u make the cookies small??? :0)

Dabela I 6 months ago

Rollie Brandt

I doubt that granulated sugar would act the same. I thin you should stick with powdered sugar. Are you unable to get that where you live?

(author) 6 months ago

Dabela I

Can I make it with real sugar??? Of course Ill use the blender to get it moré powered!! Could it be the same???

Dabela I 6 months ago

Rollie Brandt

Confectioners is the same as powdered sugar. Sorry for confusion.

(author) 7 months ago

Adam Cowan

I think confectioners sugar might just be icing sugar, i know it seems strange but in every recipe it has worked for me

Adam Cowan 7 months ago

Luana De Faveri

yuuuuuuuummo!

Luana De Faveri 7 months ago

Chick Opinion

I made up my "swirl" cookies the other day--yours are so much better! :) they look beautiful!

Chick Opinion 7 months ago

Valerie Aguilar

Whats that of confectioners sugar????

Valerie Aguilar 7 months ago

Valerie Aguilar

???????

Valerie Aguilar 7 months ago

Valerie Aguilar

How much of butter and sugar and eggs

Valerie Aguilar 7 months ago

Kuran Mcqueen

Wow, very nice!! Thanks so much! I'll definitely use this one!

Kuran Mcqueen 7 months ago

Missy Pokipoki

Wow it takes alot of time look yum tho

Missy Pokipoki 7 months ago

Lana Art

Those look fabulous!! Thank you for sharing.

Lana Art 7 months ago

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Rollie Brandt

It prevents sticking. They are cheap and in most kitchen stores. :)

(author) 7 months ago

Rane Body Decor

I've never heard of a rolling pin cover. What's the purpose and is there something you could use if you don't have access to a cover?

Rane Body Decor 7 months ago

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