Description

These vibrant Halloween pinwheel sugar cookies feature hypnotic orange, purple, and black spirals in a soft, buttery sugar cookie base. Easy to make and endlessly customizable, they’re the perfect festive treat for parties, school events, or spooky movie nights.

Ingredients

Scale

2 1/2 cups (315g) all-purpose flour, sifted
3/4 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon fine salt
1 cup (226g) unsalted butter, softened
1 cup (200g) granulated sugar
1 large egg, room temperature
2 teaspoons vanilla extract (or almond extract for a twist)
Gel food coloring in orange, purple, and black
Optional: colored sanding sugar or Halloween sprinkles

Instructions

In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
In a large bowl or stand mixer, beat butter and sugar on medium speed for 2-3 minutes until light and fluffy.
Beat in the egg and vanilla extract until well combined, scraping down the bowl as needed.
Gradually mix in the dry ingredients, adding about one-third at a time. Stir just until a soft dough forms.
Divide the dough evenly into three bowls. Add orange gel coloring to one, purple to another, and black to the last. Knead gently until each is evenly colored.
Place each colored dough onto a separate sheet of parchment paper. Roll each into a rectangle about 1/4 inch thick (roughly 9 x 6 inches).
Carefully stack the purple dough on top of the black, then the orange on top of the purple. Trim edges to make an even rectangle.
Starting from the long side, use the parchment to roll the stack into a tight log. Roll slowly and evenly.
Wrap the dough log tightly in plastic wrap. Chill in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours or up to overnight.
Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment.
Unwrap the chilled dough log. Slice into 1/4 inch thick rounds using a sharp knife or dental floss. Optionally, sprinkle edges with colored sugar or sprinkles.
Place cookies 2 inches apart on prepared sheets. Bake 9-11 minutes, until just set and edges are slightly golden.
Transfer cookies to a wire rack to cool completely before serving.

Notes

For best results, use gel food coloring for vibrant spirals and chill the dough thoroughly before slicing. If dough cracks while slicing, let it warm up for a few minutes. For gluten-free or vegan adaptations, use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend or plant-based butter and a flaxseed egg. Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days or freeze for longer storage.

Prep Time: 30 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Category: Dessert
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 cookie
Calories: 110
Sugar: 8
Sodium: 40
Fat: 5
Saturated Fat: 3
Carbohydrates: 15
Protein: 1

Keywords: Halloween cookies, pinwheel sugar cookies, spiral biscuits, festive cookies, easy Halloween treats, colorful cookies, party cookies, sugar cookie recipe, holiday baking, kid-friendly cookies