Peppermint Pinwheels!

This was a I have too much on my mind so I need to bake cookie. They are super yummy with a nice crisp. They make super cute gifts too. I ended up being up way too late to get them done so keep in mind that the dough sits for about 4 hours. The longer you let dough set the nicer the cookies will turn out.

Ingredients

2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1 cup unsalted butter, softened
1 cup sugar
1 egg
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 teaspoon peppermint extract
1 teaspoon red food coloring& 1 teaspoon pink food coloring

Now you can just about do any color combo you like depending what holiday you are looking to make the cookies for. I am going to try to do a black and white version next.

Powdered sugar, for rolling out dough

Directions

Sift together the flour, salt and baking powder and set aside.

Cream butter and sugar together in another large bowl. Add egg and beat until incorporated. Add the vanilla and peppermint extract. Gradually add the dry mixture, beating until combined. Remove half of the mixture from the bowl. Add food coloring, beating until fully combined. In waxed paper, roll out dough to form a large rectangle, about 1/4-inch thick. Repeat this step with the other half with the other color. Refrigerate for 2 hours.

Tear out 1 sheet of waxed or parchment paper. Sprinkle the surface of the paper with powdered sugar to prevent sticking. Very carefully, slide the red dough on top of the pink dough. Trim edges if uneven and patch if necessary. Roll dough into a log, creating a swirl effect. Place the dough back in the refrigerator and let chill for 2 hours.

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.

Slice the dough into 1/2-inch slices and place on a parchment lined sheet tray about 1-inch apart.

Bake for 8 to 10 minutes. Remove from oven and let cool on a wire rack.

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If you want to have a bit of extra fun with them add lollipop sticks.

Place lollipop stick about 1-inch through the flat side of the dough before baking. :D