Description
These vibrant Halloween pinwheel cookies feature hypnotic orange and black swirls, a classic sugar cookie flavor, and a soft, chewy texture. Perfect for parties, they’re easy to make, customizable, and guaranteed to be a crowd-pleaser for both kids and adults.
Ingredients
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour (310g)
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened (226g)
- 1 cup granulated sugar (200g)
- 1 large egg, room temperature
- 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract (10ml)
- 1 teaspoon baking powder (4g)
- 1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt (2g)
- Orange gel food coloring
- Black gel food coloring (or purple gel for a twist)
- Optional: Halloween sprinkles or sanding sugar for edges
Instructions
- In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar using an electric mixer for about 2-3 minutes, until light and fluffy. Add the egg and vanilla extract, then beat until smooth.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add the dry mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing on low until a soft dough forms.
- Divide the dough evenly into two portions. Place each half in its own bowl. Add orange gel food coloring to one and black (or purple) to the other. Knead gently until each color is fully incorporated.
- On a sheet of parchment, roll out each colored dough into a rectangle about 8×12 inches, roughly 1/4 inch thick. Keep both rectangles the same size.
- Carefully place one colored rectangle on top of the other, using parchment to help lift. Gently press to seal. Starting from the long edge, tightly roll the dough into a log, peeling away the parchment as you go.
- Wrap the log tightly in plastic wrap and freeze for 40-60 minutes to firm up the dough for clean slicing.
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment. Slice the chilled log into 1/4-inch rounds using a sharp knife or dental floss. Arrange cookies 2 inches apart. Optional: Roll edges in Halloween sprinkles or sanding sugar.
- Bake for 10-12 minutes, until edges are just set and centers are soft. Colors should stay vibrant.
- Let cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
Notes
For best color, use gel food coloring and chill the dough log thoroughly before slicing. Dental floss makes clean cuts for sharp swirls. You can swap flour for a gluten-free blend or use plant-based butter and a flaxseed egg for vegan adaptation. Roll the log in colored sugar for glittery edges. Store cookies in an airtight container for up to 5 days or freeze dough logs for up to 3 months.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 90
- Sugar: 6
- Sodium: 40
- Fat: 4
- Saturated Fat: 2.5
- Carbohydrates: 12
- Fiber: 0.3
- Protein: 1
Keywords: Halloween cookies, pinwheel cookies, sugar cookies, party treats, spooky desserts, easy Halloween recipe, kid-friendly cookies, festive cookies