These Halloween Pinwheel Sugar Cookies are a vibrant and fun treat that brings bold colors and delicious flavor to your Halloween festivities. With striking swirls of orange, black, purple, and green, these cookies are both visually appealing and delightfully sweet. Whether you’re hosting a Halloween party or looking for a fun family baking activity, these pinwheel cookies are the perfect addition to your celebration.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

These Halloween Pinwheel Sugar Cookies are a festive and creative twist on the classic sugar cookie. The bright colors and fun pinwheel design make them a showstopper at any Halloween gathering, while the soft, buttery flavor of the sugar cookie is sure to satisfy any sweet tooth. The best part? They are surprisingly simple to make, with just a few steps and some food coloring. Perfect for both kids and adults, these cookies are an easy way to add some spooky fun to your holiday spread!

Ingredients

3 cups All-purpose flour
1 tsp Baking powder
1/2 tsp Salt
1 cup Butter, at room temperature
1 1/2 cups Granulated sugar
2 large Eggs
2 tsp Vanilla extract
1 tsp Orange gel food coloring (or other colors, see notes)
1 tsp Black gel food coloring (or other colors, see notes)
Halloween sprinkles (optional)

(Tip: You can find the complete list of ingredients and their measurements in the recipe card below.)

Directions

Prepare the Dough: In a medium bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
Cream the Butter and Sugar: In a large mixer bowl, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until smooth. Add the eggs and vanilla extract, beating well until combined.
Mix the Dough: Gradually add the flour mixture to the butter mixture in small batches, mixing until the dough is smooth and the flour is fully incorporated.
Color the Dough: Divide the dough into two equal parts. Color one half with orange gel food coloring and the other half with black gel food coloring. Beat the food coloring into the dough until you achieve the desired shades.
Shape and Chill: Form each colored dough into a ball and flatten them into patties. Reshape the edges to form rectangular shapes. Wrap each rectangle in plastic wrap and refrigerate for 1-2 hours to firm up the dough.
Assemble the Pinwheels: Roll out each dough rectangle to about 1/8 – 1/4 inch thick. Stack the two dough pieces on top of each other (orange on the bottom, then black). Trim the edges with a pizza cutter to ensure they are straight.
Add Sprinkles (Optional): If desired, brush the edges of the dough with a little water and press Halloween sprinkles into the dough log for extra decoration.
Roll and Chill Again: Roll the dough into a log, wrap it in plastic wrap, and chill in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour.
Bake: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Cut the dough log into 1/4 – 1/2-inch thick slices and place them on a parchment-lined baking sheet, about 2 inches apart. Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the tops of the cookies are no longer shiny.
Cool and Serve: Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.

Servings and Timing

Servings: 20 cookies
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Chill Time: 2 hours
Total Time: 2 hours 25 minutes

Variations

Additional Colors: Feel free to add more colors to the dough, such as purple or green, to create even more vibrant and spooky pinwheel effects.
Flavor Twist: Add a teaspoon of almond extract to the dough for a subtle nutty flavor that pairs perfectly with the sweet, buttery dough.
Sprinkles: If you love sprinkles, coat the entire surface of the dough with colorful Halloween sprinkles before rolling it up for a festive touch.

Storage/Reheating

Storage: Store these cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. They’ll stay fresh and soft for a few days, perfect for snacking.
Freezing: You can freeze the dough log before baking. Simply wrap the dough tightly in plastic wrap and foil, then freeze for up to 3 months. When ready to bake, thaw it in the fridge and then slice and bake as directed.
Reheating: Since these cookies are delicious at room temperature, there’s no need to reheat them. However, if you prefer them warm, microwave for a few seconds to bring back the soft texture.

FAQs

Can I use liquid food coloring instead of gel food coloring?

Gel food coloring works best because it won’t alter the dough’s consistency. If you use liquid food coloring, you may need to adjust the flour to prevent the dough from becoming too sticky.

Can I make these cookies with a different flavor?

Yes! You can add different extracts, such as almond, lemon, or pumpkin, to the dough for a unique flavor twist.

How do I get the perfect pinwheel effect?

To achieve the perfect pinwheel effect, roll the dough tightly and evenly. Make sure both layers are the same thickness before rolling them up to ensure even layers when you slice the dough.

Can I make the dough ahead of time?

Yes, the dough can be prepared and refrigerated for up to 3 days before you roll and bake the cookies. It can also be frozen for longer storage.

How can I make the edges of the cookies crispier?

To get a crispier edge, bake the cookies a little longer, but be careful not to over-bake them. Keep an eye on the edges to ensure they’re golden brown but not burnt.

Can I decorate these cookies with icing?

Yes! You can top these cookies with royal icing or a simple glaze to add extra flair. This is especially great for creating spooky designs or adding more color.

How do I roll the dough evenly?

Use a rolling pin to roll each layer of dough evenly, checking the thickness with your fingers to ensure consistency. If the dough sticks, lightly flour your rolling surface.

How can I make these cookies more festive?

Consider adding themed decorations like candy eyes, small chocolate pieces, or spooky shapes cut from the dough before rolling to add more Halloween fun.

Can I freeze the finished cookies?

Yes, once baked, these cookies freeze well. Store them in an airtight container with parchment paper between the layers to prevent them from sticking together.

Can I make these cookies without using food coloring?

Yes! You can make these cookies in a classic sugar cookie style without any food coloring, or you can roll the dough into simple swirls without the color contrast for a more subtle look.

Conclusion

Halloween Pinwheel Sugar Cookies are the perfect combination of fun and flavor, adding a festive touch to your Halloween celebrations. With vibrant colors, a simple yet delicious flavor, and a fun pinwheel design, these cookies are sure to be a hit with both kids and adults. Easy to make, customizable, and irresistibly tasty, they are a great way to celebrate the spooky season! Whether you’re baking with family, hosting a Halloween party, or looking for a fun treat, these cookies will surely become a favorite.

Halloween Pinwheel Sugar Cookies

Print Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

No reviews

These vibrant and fun Halloween Pinwheel Sugar Cookies are a perfect addition to any Halloween celebration. With bold colors like orange, black, purple, and green, they are both visually striking and delicious!

Author: Mari
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 2 hours 25 minutes
Yield: 20 cookies 1x
Category: Dessert
Method: Bake
Cuisine: American
Diet: Vegetarian

Instructions

Prepare the Dough: In a medium bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
In a large mixer bowl, cream together the softened butter and sugar until smooth. Add the eggs and vanilla extract, beating well until combined.
Gradually add the flour mixture to the butter mixture in small batches, mixing until the dough is smooth and the flour is fully incorporated.
Color the Dough: Divide the dough into two equal parts. Color one half with orange gel food coloring and the other half with black gel food coloring. Beat the food coloring into the dough until you achieve the desired shades.
Shape and Chill: Form each colored dough into a ball and flatten them into patties. Reshape the edges to form rectangular shapes. Wrap each rectangle in plastic wrap and refrigerate for 1-2 hours to firm up the dough.
Assemble the Pinwheels: Roll out each dough rectangle to about 1/8 – 1/4 inch thick. Stack the two dough pieces on top of each other (orange on the bottom, then black). Trim the edges with a pizza cutter to ensure they are straight.
Add Sprinkles (Optional): If desired, brush the edges of the dough with a little water and press Halloween sprinkles into the dough log for extra decoration.
Roll and Chill Again: Roll the dough into a log, wrap in plastic wrap, and chill in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour.
Bake: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Cut the dough log into 1/4 – 1/2-inch thick slices and place them on a parchment-lined baking sheet, about 2 inches apart. Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the tops of the cookies are no longer shiny.
Cool and Serve: Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.

Notes

If you don’t have gel food coloring, you can use liquid food coloring, but gel works best for vibrant colors without affecting the dough texture.
For more color variation, you can use purple and green food coloring for an extra spooky effect.
Brush with water before adding sprinkles to help them stick better.

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 cookie
Calories: 160 kcal
Sugar: 12g
Sodium: 70mg
Fat: 7g
Saturated Fat: 4g
Unsaturated Fat: 2g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 22g
Fiber: 1g
Protein: 2g
Cholesterol: 30mg