Christmas Pinwheel Cookies

The history of cookies goes back to the time of Alexander the Great, and perhaps even earlier. It is no wonder that so many varieties of these treats are easy to carry. Pinwheel cookies are no exception. If you have two different colors or flavors to combine the dough, or roll dough with a filling, the cookies are free to watch and eat tasty treats.

For a full Pinwheel Christmas Cookie try. You need:

1 1 / 2 cup craisins (dried cranberries raisins)
1 cup pistachios
1 / 2 cup water
1 / 4 cup sugar
2 cups flour
1 / 2 teaspoon baking powder
1 / 2 teaspoon salt
1 / 2 cup butter
1 / 2 cup brown sugar
1 / 2 cup white sugar
1 egg
1 / 2 teaspoon vanilla
Add the craisins and nuts in a food processor and chop coarsely. Just use the wrist several times. Put the mixture into a small saucepan with water and 1 / 4 cup sugar. Cook over medium heat for 3-5 minutes until the mixture just comes to a boil. Remove from heat and let cool.

Beat butter, sugar, eggs and vanilla. Sift flour, soda and salt together and add to the creamy mixture. You have a medium soft dough. Chill 30 minutes.

Roll the dough between two sheets of waxed paper. Do you want a big rectangle. Spread nut mixture evenly over the dough craisin and, almost to the edge. Roll to the long side, so filling can be expanded to the edge of the short sides and about 1 / 8 inch from the edge of long side. Embark on a long side, use wax paper to help roll the dough. Lightly press the seam. I'm using a fork to make decorative edge a little to add. Just gently push the fork in the road along the length of the seam to make small cuts, like how a pie crust.

Wrap the cookie roll in wax paper and chill until firm. When ready to bake, heat oven to 400 degrees C. Cut into 1 / 4 inch slices. Bake in a greased or parchment lined baking sheet.

Here's a tip. To create a new, clean piece of dental floss if your knife does not end up with cookies flat on one side. Slide a length of floss under the roll. Pull the ends up and over the masses and cross them, as if about to tie a shoelace. Pull the floss and evenly through the dough. Down and repeat. Throw the floss when you're done.

Bake approximately 8-10 minutes or until they begin to brown. Wait a minute prior to a wire rack. You may want to lightly with cinnamon sugar mixture, or sprinkle powdered sugar before serving. Santa loves it and the sugar-coating my revealing his true identity.

You can also pinwheel cookies by mixing the two batches of your favorite refrigerator cookie dough. You can also use the packaged cookie mixes as you want. My family loves old fashioned sugar cookies. Tint a batch of dye. Roll each into a rectangle and a layer above the other. Roll, chill, cut, bake and serve. Be brave. Spread some raspberry rush between the layers of plain and green tinted dough for a festive cookie.

If you are in a hurry or pressed for time, you can decide to drop the cookies of your choice. There are many to choose from. Try the fine cookies. They have a huge pecan flavor and are a great addition to a baking sheet, and a unique and welcome hostess gift.