My mom used to make pinwheels every year, and I still love them. They are so colorful, and they’re perfect for sharing as gifts.
—JILL HEATWOLE PITTSVILLE, MD
PREP: 30 MIN. + CHILLING • BAKE: 10 MIN./BATCH • MAKES: 2 DOZEN
1 1/4 cups butter, softened
1 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 cup sugar
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla, orange, almond, lemon or coconut extract
4 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
Pink, orange and yellow gel food coloring
Sprinkles
Wooden skewers or pop sticks
1. In a large bowl, cream butter and sugars until light and fluffy. Beat in eggs and vanilla. In another bowl, whisk flour, salt, baking powder and baking soda; gradually beat into creamed mixture.
2. Divide dough into three portions. Tint each portion as desired with food coloring; wrap in plastic. Refrigerate 30 minutes or until easy to handle.
3. Between pieces of waxed paper, roll each portion into a 12x6-in. rectangle. Remove pieces of waxed paper. Stack colored rectangles on top of each other to form one thick rectangle. Wrap in plastic; refrigerate 30 minutes or until firm.
4. Preheat oven to 375°. Unwrap and slice stacked rectangles crosswise, into 6x1/2-in. strips. Taper the ends of each strip; wrap strips around themselves to form coils. Place 1 in. apart on ungreased baking sheets. Decorate with sprinkles along cookie edges. Bake 8-10 minutes or until set.
5. Remove to wire racks to cool. While cookie is still soft, insert a wooden skewer or pop stick into each cookie.