Celebrate Independence Day with these delightful Red, White, and Blue Pinwheel Cookies! These colorful and festive treats are perfect for any 4th of July celebration, whether it’s a family barbecue, a picnic, or a fireworks viewing party. Made with simple ingredients and decorated with vibrant red, white, and blue swirls, these 4th of July sugar cookies are sure to be a hit with both kids and adults. Let’s dive into this easy and fun recipe that will add a patriotic touch to your holiday festivities.
4th of July Cookies: Red, White, and Blue Pinwheel Cookies
Cuisine: USADifficulty: Easy24
servings30
minutes12
minutes160
kcalThese 4th of July cookies: Red, White, and Blue Pinwheel Cookies are festive, colorful, and perfect for celebrating Independence Day. Easy to make and delicious, they feature vibrant swirls of red, white, and blue.
Ingredients
2 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
½ teaspoon salt
1 cup unsalted butter, softened
1 ½ cups white sugar
1 egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Red and blue food coloring
Red, white, and blue sprinkles (optional)
Directions
- Prepare the Dough: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large bowl, cream together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the egg and vanilla extract.
- Combine Ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined.
- Divide and Color Dough: Divide the dough into three equal parts. Leave one part plain, color one part red, and the other part blue using food coloring. Mix until the colors are evenly distributed.
- Roll Out Dough: Roll out each portion of dough between two sheets of parchment paper into rectangles of the same size (about ¼ inch thick). Chill the dough rectangles for about 30 minutes.
- Assemble Pinwheels: Remove the top parchment paper from each dough rectangle. Stack the dough layers on top of each other, starting with the plain dough, then the red, and finally the blue. Gently press the layers together.
- Roll and Chill: Starting from one long side, roll the dough tightly into a log. Wrap the log in plastic wrap and chill for at least 30 minutes.
- Slice and Bake: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Slice the dough log into ¼-inch thick slices and place them on the prepared baking sheet. If desired, sprinkle with red, white, and blue sprinkles.
- Bake: Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden. Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Notes
- Ensure the butter is at room temperature for easier mixing.
- Use gel food coloring for more vibrant colors.
- Store cookies in an airtight container to keep them fresh.
Additional Tips for the best 4th of July Cookies:
- Butter Consistency: Make sure your butter is at room temperature. This means it should be soft enough to leave an indentation when you press it with your finger but not so soft that it’s greasy. This helps in achieving the right texture for your cookies.
- Measuring Flour: Measure your flour correctly by spooning it into the measuring cup and leveling it off with a knife. Too much flour can make your cookies dense and dry.
- Chilling the Dough: Chilling the dough is crucial for maintaining the shape of the pinwheels. It also makes the dough easier to handle and slice.
- Uniform Size: Use a ruler to ensure your dough rectangles are the same size. This helps in achieving uniform pinwheels.
- Rolling the Dough: Roll the dough tightly to avoid gaps in the pinwheels. If the dough cracks, let it sit at room temperature for a few minutes to soften.
- Slicing the Dough: Use a sharp knife or dental floss to slice the dough log into even pieces. This helps in maintaining the shape of the pinwheels.
- Baking Time: Keep a close eye on your cookies as they bake. They should be slightly golden around the edges but still soft in the center. They will continue to cook a bit on the baking sheet after you take them out of the oven.
- Cooling: Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack. This helps them set and prevents them from breaking apart.
- Storage: Store your cookies in an airtight container at room temperature. If you want to keep them fresh for longer, you can freeze them. Just make sure to separate layers with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
- Decorating Variations: For an extra festive touch, consider using star-shaped cookie cutters and decorating with red, white, and blue icing in addition to sprinkles.
FAQ
Use red, white, and blue food coloring for the dough or icing, add patriotic sprinkles, or shape the cookies into stars. You can also create marbled or tie-dye effects with the colored dough for an extra fun look!
Yes, you can bake the cookies a few days in advance and store them in an airtight container. If you’re using icing, decorate them and allow the icing to set before storing. For longer storage, freeze the undecorated cookies and decorate them closer to the holiday.
…and to conclude
These 4th of july cookies in the form of Red, White, and Blue Pinwheel Cookies are a delightful addition to any Independence Day celebration. With their festive colors and delicious taste, they are sure to impress your guests and add a patriotic flair to your dessert table. Enjoy making and sharing these cookies with your loved ones!
If you are a cookie lover, check out this easy recipe: Easy Dessert recipe: Matcha Cookies
Leave a Reply