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Four freshly baked pinwheel cookies showing perfect vanilla and chocolate swirls on a white plate.

Classic Vanilla and Chocolate Swirl Pinwheel Cookies


  • Author: Ahazzam
  • Total Time: 160 min
  • Yield: 3 dozen
  • Diet: Vegetarian

Description

Make easy slice-and-bake pinwheel cookies featuring contrasting vanilla and chocolate dough swirled together for a classic look.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 3 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 1 tablespoon milk


Instructions

  1. Beat the softened butter and sugar together until light and fluffy. Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract.
  2. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined to form a soft dough.
  3. Divide the dough in half. Leave one half plain (vanilla dough). To the second half, mix in the cocoa powder and milk until the chocolate color is uniform.
  4. Place each dough half between two sheets of plastic wrap. Roll each half into a rectangle approximately 1/4 inch thick.
  5. Place the vanilla rectangle directly on top of the chocolate rectangle. Gently press the two layers together.
  6. Starting from one long edge, roll the layered dough tightly into a log. Wrap the log tightly in plastic wrap and chill in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours, or until firm.
  7. Preheat your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit (190 degrees Celsius). Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
  8. Remove the dough log from the refrigerator and slice it into rounds about 1/4 inch thick. Place the slices about 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheets.
  9. Bake for 8 to 10 minutes, or until the edges are lightly set. Do not overbake.
  10. Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.

Notes

  • For a firmer dough that is easier to slice, chill the dough log for up to 24 hours.
  • To make these cookies festive for holidays, add red or green food coloring to the vanilla dough before dividing, or substitute peppermint extract for vanilla in one half.
  • If you want a very defined swirl, chill the assembled log for 30 minutes after rolling before slicing.
  • Prep Time: 30 min
  • Cook Time: 10 min
  • Category: Dessert
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 cookie
  • Calories: 130
  • Sugar: 9
  • Sodium: 55
  • Fat: 7
  • Saturated Fat: 4
  • Unsaturated Fat: 3
  • Trans Fat: 0
  • Carbohydrates: 15
  • Fiber: 0
  • Protein: 2
  • Cholesterol: 25