Gluten Free Christmas Pinwheel Cookies

by Kimberly's Gluten-Free Kitchen - December 11, 2017

Christmas is a time for treats, treats and treats! We seem to overindulge during this holiday season and just because you are gluten free, it shouldn't exclude you from acting just as everyone else. Christmas cookies are a big deal in my house and even though I am the only one in my family that is gluten free, everything that I make is gluten free. I wanted to find some fun cookies to make with my kids but the pinwheel cookies just seemed too far to reach. Gluten free cookie dough can be super brittle and it is not easy to roll. I just marked it down as it was never going to happen which is probably a good thing because I am not good at taking that. I became determined to find a way to make these tasty treats and I did!

Now, to be honest, they didn't work the first time. It turned into a crumpled mess and me thinking that I was right before in that these really can't be made with gluten free flour. My seven year old was with me when I was making them and he encouraged me to keep going and try again. I could not argue with that so I went back in with a different plan. Using plastic wrap while rolling it and chilling it after it has been rolled is a must. The dough is so much easier to work with before it is chilled and the plastic wrap gives the dough support so it doesn't crumble.

After I rolled it, I must admit that I did a little dance to celebrate getting through the hardest part of these cookies! I conquered them and not only that but they turned out so cute! My kids loved them and well so did my husband. These really are the perfect Christmas cookie. They are so cute and I think I did hear that Santa was going gluten free so making them for him would be the perfect treat!

Don't be scared to try these because I really did all the work for you. I was able to figure out a way to make these that actually work and taste great. Watch the video down below so that you understand exactly how I was able to roll these up. Make sure you read your labels and find a food dye that is gluten free. A lot of food dyes can have cross contamination so just make sure you find one that is safe. There is a link below of a food dye that is gluten free so pick that one up if you can't find another one. Also, make sure to check out my YouTube channel for more great recipes and product reviews.

print recipe

Gluten Free Christmas Pinwheel Cookies

by Kimberly Llewellyn December-11-2017

Super fun and colorful Christmas swirl cookies. They are a festive holiday treat that'll be the star of your Christmas cookie plate!

Ingredients

3 cups gluten free flour blend (I use Bob's Red Mill Gluten Free 1 to 1 Baking Flour)
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 cup unsalted butter
1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon almond extract
1 egg
1/2 teaspoon red food coloring
1/2 teaspoon green food coloring

Instructions

1. Cream butter and sugar together for 3 minutes until light and fluffy.2. Add egg and vanilla and almond extracts to butter and sugar mixture.3. Sift together flour, salt and baking powder. Slowly add to wet ingredients. Mix until dough forms a ball.4. Cut dough into 3 equal parts. 5. To one piece of dough, add the red food coloring. Beat with your mixer until the color is completely incorporated. Clean mixer and paddle.6. To the second piece of dough, add the green food coloring. Beat with mixer until the color is completely incorporated.7. Leave the third piece as is.8. Cut a long piece of plastic wrap and lay down on a hard surface. Take red dough ball and place on plastic wrap. Roll out into a large rectangle. 9. Next, roll the plain (uncolored) dough into the same size rectangle onto either another piece of plastic wrap or a flexible cutting board. Make sure to flour liberally so nothing sticks. Flip over dough on top of red dough.10. Repeat with the green dough, laying it on top of the plain dough. If needed, use a pizza cutter to trim two of the edges so they are even. (Don't worry about the other two sides.)11. Very carefully, starting with one of the straightened edges, roll the dough into a long shape, using the plastic wrap as support (See video!). Roll until you reach the other trimmed side. Once the dough log is complete, wrap in plastic wrap and chill for at least 1 hour.12. Preheat you oven to 350 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone mat.13. Use a sharp knife to cut the dough log into 1/4-inch thick slices.(Discard the ends since they don't make a nice pinwheel design). Place the cookies on your prepared baking sheets and bake for 8-10 minutes making sure to not over bake.14. Remove from oven and let cool for 5 minutes before transferring to wire rack to cool completely.15. Serve immediately or store in an airtight container until ready to serve.

Details