Orange Cranberry Pinwheel Cookies (Printable)

Delicate swirl cookies with tangy cranberry-orange filling, ideal for festive occasions or afternoon tea time.

# What You'll Need:

→ Dough

01 - 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
02 - 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
03 - 1/4 teaspoon salt
04 - 3/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
05 - 1 cup granulated sugar
06 - 1 large egg
07 - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
08 - 1 tablespoon orange zest

→ Cranberry-Orange Filling

09 - 1 cup dried cranberries
10 - 1/3 cup granulated sugar
11 - 1 tablespoon orange zest
12 - 2 tablespoons orange juice
13 - 1 tablespoon water

# How-to Steps:

01 - Whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt in a medium bowl. Set aside for later use.
02 - Beat softened butter and granulated sugar in a large mixing bowl until light and fluffy, approximately 2-3 minutes.
03 - Mix in egg, vanilla extract, and orange zest until fully incorporated into the butter mixture.
04 - Gradually add flour mixture, mixing just until smooth dough forms. Avoid overmixing to prevent tough cookies.
05 - Divide dough in half, flatten each portion into a disc, wrap in plastic, and refrigerate for 1 hour.
06 - Process dried cranberries, sugar, orange zest, orange juice, and water in a food processor until cranberries are finely chopped and mixture is spreadable.
07 - Roll one dough portion between parchment paper into a 9x12-inch rectangle. Spread half the filling evenly, leaving 1/2-inch border on one long edge.
08 - Tightly roll dough from opposite long edge into a log, using parchment for support. Pinch seam to seal. Repeat with remaining dough and filling.
09 - Wrap logs in plastic and refrigerate for at least 1 hour or freeze for easier slicing.
10 - Heat oven to 350°F. Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
11 - Cut logs into 1/4-inch rounds and arrange 2 inches apart on prepared baking sheets.
12 - Bake for 13-15 minutes until edges are lightly golden. Cool on sheets for 5 minutes, then transfer to wire rack.

# Expert Pointers:

01 -
  • The buttery vanilla dough balances perfectly with bright tart cranberry filling
  • These cookies look impressive but the spiral technique is much easier than it appears
  • They slice beautifully straight from the freezer making them perfect for unexpected guests
02 -
  • Chilling the dough logs until theyre firm enough to hold their shape is nonnegotiable for clean spirals
  • A sharp knife and gentle sawing motion prevents the logs from squishing while slicing
  • The filling will be slightly tacky, which is perfect for spreading but avoid getting it too close to the edges
03 -
  • Use fresh orange zest and juice for the brightest flavor, as bottled juice lacks the fragrant oils that make these special
  • If the logs soften while slicing, pop them back in the freezer for 15 minutes to restore firmness

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