Patriotic Pinwheel Cookies

‘MURICA

That’s about all you need to say about these patriotic cookies. As we Americans get ready to celebrate our country’s Independence Day, the streets are being turned red, white, and blue, and just about everyone has an extra pep in their step. And how could you not be excited to be living in the greatest country on Earth?

So I’m celebrating my freedom the best way I know how – baking! Wanting to create something red, white, and blue themed, sugar cookies seemed to be the best candidate when it came to coloring. Now if only the real candidates would start handing these out during the election season…guaranteed presidency assured.

Here’s What You Need:

• Flour: Provides structure and texture to the cookies.
• Sugar: Adds sweetness and helps with browning.
• Baking powder: Leavening agent that helps the cookies rise and become light.
• Eggs: Bind the ingredients together and add moisture.
• Vanilla: Enhances the flavor of the cookies.
• Butter: Adds richness and flavor to the cookies.
• Red food coloring gel: Provides a vibrant red color to the dough.
• Blue food coloring gel: Adds a vibrant blue color to the dough.
• Salt: Enhances the overall flavor of the cookies.
• Powdered sugar (for icing): Forms the base of the icing and adds sweetness.
• Heavy whipping cream or half and half (for icing): Adds richness and creaminess to the icing.

Let’s Get Started

Perfect sugar cookies rely heavily on the butter being sufficiently whipped before adding the sugar and flour.

Mix in the sugar and eggs, one at a time, before slowly adding the flour in half-cup amounts.

Once the dough is ready, split it into 3 even balls. Be sure to keep the ones you aren’t going to be coloring right away in an airtight container or wrapped in plastic until ready to dye.

I also use gel food coloring, which gives a much richer color than its dropper counterparts. I used about 1 teaspoon of red and blue gel coloring for the respective balls.

Just blend it in well and make sure to wash the mixing bowl between colors. America’s colors are red, white, and blue, not purple and white!

When the colors are ready, wrap each in plastic wrap and refrigerate for 30 minutes.

When the dough has firmed up a bit, split each dough ball into two smaller pieces for easier rolling and layering.

Round out each ball before flattening with a rolling pin. I found it was easier to keep the dough between two pieces of plastic wrap when it came to rolling it out so it didn’t stick to the rolling pin!

Then just layer the dough into whatever order you see fit! Personally, I prefer keeping the colored dough on the outside.

Then just gently roll each layer up together to form a cylindrical roll. Tuck in the ends to make an even roll, then wrap it in plastic wrap.

Next, just pop the rolls into the freezer! I made sure to rotate mine every few minutes for the first hour to make sure there weren’t any overly flat edges. You can fit yours into a paper towel tube to help keep it round if you don’t think you can remember to rotate it.

Mine still ended up with a slightly flatter side – but I wasn’t too worried about it since I knew the cookies would bake into (mostly) a circular shape.

Once frozen through, cut the dough into 1/4 inch slices with a sharp knife.

Then arrange the cookies onto a lined baking sheet and pop them into the oven at 350°F for 12-15 minutes, or until lightly browned on top.

When finished cooking, let the cookies cool for a few more minutes on the pan before carefully transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.

The cookies with the white on the outside didn’t roll very well for me, unfortunately, but they taste the same, so I suppose that’s all that matters. Plus, any ‘ugly’ ones can be iced!

I just whipped up a batch of white icing to cover up any mistakes, which is arguably the most delicious way to fix a mess up.

RECIPINCEPTION
(A recipe within another recipe)

White Sugar Cookie Icing:

• 1 cup powdered sugar
• 2-5 tablespoons heavy whipping cream or half and half (I used a Caramel Vanilla flavored one)

Here’s How:

1. Slowly begin adding the cream to the powdered sugar and use a hand mixer to blend the two ingredients together. Whip on high speed.
2. If the icing is too thick, add more cream. If it’s too runny, add more powdered sugar, until the icing reaches the desired consistency. It should be about the thickness of toothpaste and should not drip off a spoon.
3. Use a piping bag to decorate the completely cooled cookies, and enjoy!

Helpful Tips & Tricks

• Whipping the butter: Ensure that the butter is sufficiently whipped before adding the sugar and flour to achieve the perfect texture in your sugar cookies.
• Chilling the dough: Refrigerate the colored dough balls before rolling and layering them. This will help the dough firm up and make it easier to handle.
• Using gel food coloring: Opt for gel food coloring instead of liquid dropper counterparts for more vibrant and intense colors in your dough.
• Rolling the dough between plastic wrap: Place the dough between two pieces of plastic wrap when rolling it out to prevent sticking and make the process smoother.
• Rotating the rolls in the freezer: While the rolls of dough are chilling in the freezer, rotate them every few minutes during the first hour to ensure even freezing and prevent any overly flat edges.
• Cutting even slices: Use a sharp knife to cut the frozen dough into 1/4 inch slices for consistent and uniform cookies.
• Allowing cookies to cool before transferring: After baking, let the cookies cool for a few minutes on the baking sheet before transferring them to a wire rack. This will help them firm up and prevent breakage.
• Decorating with icing: If the rolled dough didn’t turn out perfectly, don’t worry! Use the white sugar cookie icing to cover up any imperfections and make them look beautiful.
• Experiment with different colors and designs: Feel free to get creative with the colors and patterns in your pinwheel cookies. Mix and match colors, or even try different shapes and designs to make them uniquely yours.
• Enjoy the process and share the deliciousness: Baking should be fun and enjoyable! Embrace the spirit of celebration and share these patriotic pinwheel cookies with your loved ones.

These patriotic pinwheel cookies are a delicious and festive way to celebrate Independence Day. With their vibrant red, white, and blue swirls, they are sure to impress your guests and add a touch of patriotic spirit to any gathering. By following the simple steps and tips shared here, you’ll be able to create beautiful pinwheel cookies that taste as good as they look. Don’t forget to get creative with different colors and designs to make them uniquely yours. And if any rolling mishaps occur, the white sugar cookie icing will come to the rescue, adding a delicious finishing touch.

So go ahead, embrace your baking freedom, and enjoy these delightful treats that embody the spirit of ‘Murica!

Thank you for joining me on this baking adventure, and I hope these cookies bring joy and sweetness to your Independence Day celebration. Remember, baking is all about expressing creativity and sharing delicious moments with loved ones. Stay tuned for more tasty recipes and helpful tips on my blog, where we continue to explore the world of affordable and scrumptious homemade delights. Until next time, happy baking and may your kitchen be filled with the aroma of success!

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