Christmas Cookies: Festive Pinwheels 
Makes about 2 dozen cookies 
Notes:
Roll out the dough between sheets of parchment paper so that it doesn’t stick to the table or the rolling pin. 
Use as much or as little food coloring to make pink to red, or light green to green swirls. Flavor with peppermint or almond extract or just add a bit more vanilla extract (1/2 teaspoon). 

Ingredients: 
  • 6 ounces butter, at cool room temperature
  • 3/4 cup sugar
  • 3 tbsp milk (1 1/2 ounces)
  • 1 large egg yolk 
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 10 ounces flour
  • 3/4 tsp baking powder
  • 1/2 tsp kosher salt 
  • 1/2 tsp red or green liquid food coloring
  • 1/2 tsp peppermint, almond, or vanilla extract
  • 1/2 cup sugar 
Directions: 
  1. In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat the butter and sugar until creamy, about 3 minutes. Add the milk, then egg yolk and vanilla and beat between each addition until combined.
  2. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Add the flour mixture to the butter mixture and beat on low speed until evenly combined. Split the dough into two equal pieces. Add the food coloring and extract to one of the halves, stirring or kneading it into the dough until thoroughly combined.
  3. Have ready 4 pieces of parchment paper, about the size of a half sheet pan.
  4. Spread the sugar on a baking half sheet pan.
  5. On a work surface, shape each dough piece into a rectangle and place each on one piece of parchment. Top each with a second piece of parchment. Roll out each into a 10-by-12-inch rectangle. Peel off the top pieces of parchment. Sandwich the two doughs together, lining them up. Using the paper to help, roll up the dough lengthwise into a tight log.
  6. Roll the log in the sugar, pressing slightly to make sure it adheres to the dough. Wrap the roll in plastic wrap and refrigerate until firm, about 2 hours. 
  7. Pre-heat the oven to 350 F. Unwrap dough and slice into 1/4-inch-thick slices. Place the slices on parchment-lined baking sheets. Bake until set but before they begin to color, about 10-12 minutes.