Cranberry Cherry Pinwheel Christmas Cookies Food

CHERRY CRANBERRY PINWHEELS

Steps:

• For filling, combine the first 4 ingredients in a small saucepan. Cook and stir over medium heat for 8 minutes or until liquid is absorbed and cranberries are softened. Remove from the heat; cool slightly. Transfer to a blender; cover and process until smooth. Transfer to a bowl; cover and refrigerate until chilled., For dough, in a large bowl, beat butter and sugar for 2 minutes or until crumbly. Beat in the egg whites, oil, milk, vanilla and orange zest. Combine the flour, baking powder, cinnamon and baking soda; gradually add to sugar mixture and mix well. , Divide dough in half. On a floured surface, roll 1 portion of dough into a 14x9-in. rectangle. Spread with half of the filling. Roll up jelly-roll style, starting with a long side. Repeat with remaining dough and filling. Wrap each roll in waxed paper; refrigerate for at least 4 hours., Unwrap dough; cut into 1/2-in. slices. Place 2 in. apart on greased baking sheets. Bake at 375° for 10-12 minutes or until bottoms are lightly browned (do not overbake). Remove to wire racks to cool.

CRANBERRY CHERRY PINWHEEL CHRISTMAS COOKIES

Steps:

• Make filling: Combine cranberries, cherry preserves and cinnamon with water in a medium saucepan. Simmer, stirring frequently, for 5-8 minutes, or until mixture softens and most of the liquid is absorbed. If it seems too dry, stir in 1 tablespoon water. Transfer to a food processor and process until smooth. Refrigerate until cool. (Filling may be stored up to 48 hours. Bring to room temperature and stir well before using.).
• Make dough:.
• Beat together butter and sugar with an electric mixer until light and fluffy, then beat in eggs, orange zest and vanilla. Sift flour, baking powder and salt into egg mixture and beat until combined well. Chill one hour.
• Assemble rolls:.
• Divide dough in half and roll out each piece between sheets of wax paper into a roughly 8 x 12 inch rectangle. Remove top sheet of wax paper (if it sticks too much, refrigerate dough for a few minutes to firm it up).
• Divide filling between rectangles, spreading it very thin in an even layer (you may have a little excess filling). Tightly roll up each rectangle jelly-roll fashion, beginning with a long side and using the wax paper as an aid, to form a 12 inch long log. Wrap rolls in wax paper and smooth out the logs by running your hands over them to make them as evenly sized as possible. Be gentle but firm. Wrap in foil and chill until firm, about 2 hours.
• Preheat oven to 350°F.
• Working with one roll at a time, keeping remaining roll chilled, cut rolls crosswise into 1/8 - 1/4 inch slices. Arrange slices 1 inch apart on ungreased cookie sheets, shaping the slices into neater rounds if necessary. Bake in the middle of the oven until pale golden and set, 8-12 minutes. Let stand on cookie sheet for about a minute to set. Transfer warm cookies to racks to cool.
• Passive cooking time includes chilling and baking the entire batch.

CHERRY PISTACHIO PINWHEEL COOKIES

Steps:

• Put the cherries, pistachios and brown sugar in a food processor and pulse until a fine crumb forms (take care not to over process or the filling will clump together). Set aside.
• Put the butter and granulated sugar in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment and beat on medium-high until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes. Add the eggs, baking powder and salt and beat for another minute. Lower the speed to medium and add the flour, 1/2 cup at a time; beat until smooth. Cover and place in the fridge to chill, about 1 hour.
• Divide dough the in half and flatten each into squares. Put one portion of dough in between two 12-by-12-inch sheets of parchment paper dusted with flour. Roll out into a 1/8-inch-thick square. Remove the top parchment sheet and sprinkle half of the cherry-pistachio filling evenly across the dough. Pat into an even layer. Tightly roll into one large log (using the parchment to help you). Trim the ends and then roll the exterior in a mixture of sprinkles to coat. Repeat with the remaining dough, filling and sprinkles. Tightly cover in fresh parchment and refrigerate overnight (preferred) or at least 4 hours, until the dough is firm.
• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F and line 2 baking sheets with parchment or a silicone baking mat.
• Remove and uncover the dough logs and slice with a very sharp knife into 1/4-inch-thick pinwheels. Arrange about 1 inch apart on the prepared baking sheets. Bake until slightly golden, 8 to 10 minutes. Let the cookies cool on a wire rack. Store for up to 3 days in an airtight container, or freeze cookies for future use, up to 2 weeks.
• Enjoy!

CRANBERRY-HONEY SPICE PINWHEEL COOKIES

Steps:

• To prepare filling: Combine dried and fresh cranberries, honey, orange zest, cinnamon and cardamom (or allspice) in a medium nonreactive saucepan over medium heat. Bring the mixture to a gentle boil and cook, stirring, until the fresh cranberries burst and soften, 4 to 5 minutes. Let cool slightly. Transfer to a food processor and puree. If the mixture seems dry, stir in up to 2 teaspoons water. Transfer the mixture to a non-reactive container and refrigerate while preparing the dough.
• To prepare dough: Whisk all-purpose flour, baking powder, salt, baking soda, cinnamon and cardamom (or all spice) in a large bowl. In another large bowl, butter, sugar, honey, eggs, milk, orange zest, vanilla and almond extracts. Beat the wet ingredients with an electric mixer first on low speed, then on medium speed, until well combined. Add half the dry ingredients and beat on low speed until just incorporated' Stir in the remaining dry ingredients with a wooden spoon until evenly incorporated. If the mixture is too dry to hold together, stir in up to 1 tablespoon more milk. Cover and refrigerate the dough for 30 to 45 minutes to reduce its stickiness.
• Turn the dough out onto a work surface and divide in half. Shape each half into a 6-Inch- long log. Working with one log at a time, center it on a 16-inch-long sheet of baking parchment or wax paper. Cover with a second sheet. Press and then roll into a 12-by-15-inch rectangle of even thickness, inverting the dough occasionally to roll out any wrinkles and patching it to make the sides as even as possible. Transfer the dough, in the paper, to a baking sheet. Repeat with the remaining log of dough and transfer to the baking sheet. Place the baking sheet in the freezer until the dough is slightly firm, about 15 minutes.
• To prepare pinwheel rolls: Place one sheet of dough on a work surface. Peel off the top sheet of paper. Spread half the reserved tilling evenly over the dough (it will be a thin layer). Working from a 15-inch-long side, tightly roll up the dough jelly-roll style, leaving the bottom sheet of paper behind. While rolling, slightly stretch out the center to yield an evenly thick roll. Wrap the roll in a clean sheet of wax paper, twisting the ends to prevent unrolling. Place on a baking sheet. Repeat with the second piece of dough and place on the baking sheet. Freeze until firm, at least 3 to 4 hours.
• To bake cookies: Position racks in the upper third and center of the oven; preheat to 350°F Line 2 large baking sheets with parchment paper. Working with one pinwheel roll at a time, trim the uneven ends. Cut the roll cross wise into 1/4_inch_thick slices using a large ser rated knife; periodically turning the roll to maintain a relatively round cookie shape. Place the cookies on the prepared baking sheets, spacing them ½ inch apart. Bake the cookies until puffed and barely golden brown, 12 to 16 minutes, switching the pans back to front and top to middle halfway through the baking. Transfer the cookies to wire racks immediately to cool completely. Cut and bake the remaining pinwheel roll.
• AHEAD: Cover and refrigerate filling (Step 1) for up to 2 days. Tightly wrap pinwheel logs (Step 4) and freeze.
• for up to 2 months, Do not defrost before slicing. Store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week or freeze for up to I month.
• These cookies boast a bright zesty filling and spicy aroma. They make a large batch and are extremely convenient, since you can make the logs of cookie dough ahead, then pull them out of the freezer and slice and bake as many cookies as you need.

CRANBERRY CHERRY ICEBOX RIBBON COOKIES

Steps:

• In a food processor, process the cranberries, jam or preserves, and sugar until coarsely pureed.
• Transfer the mixture to a small, heavy saucepan.
• Cook over medium high heat, stirring occasionally, until it just comes to a boil, immediately remove from the heat.
• Let stand until cooled slightly. Stir in the almond extract.
• Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour, or until well chilled, or freeze for 30 minutes, to speed chilling.(the filling may be refrigerated for up to 4 days, return to room temperature before using.
• DOUGH:.
• In a medium bowl, thoroughly stir together the flour, baking powder and salt; set aside. In a large bowl, with an electric mixer on medium speed, beat together the sugar and butter until well blended and smooth. Add the egg, vanilla and almond extract and beat till well blended. Beat or stir in flour mixture just until evenly incorporated. Let the dough stand for 10 minutes, or until firmed up slightly.
• Line a 4 1/2"x8 1/2" loaf pan with aluminum foil, letting the foil overhang the long sides by about 3", this will keep the plastic wrap surrounding the dough from sticking to the pan. On top of the foil, line the pan with two long sheets of plastic wrap laid crosswise, overlapping the middle and overhanging the longer sides by almost 4". Divide the dough into 4 portions. Working on a large sheet of wax paper, roughly pat each portion into the shape of the loaf pan. Pat one dough portion firmly into the pan bottom, forming a smooth, even layer. Using a rubber spatula, spread one third of the filling over the dough in the pan, the filling may seem stiff, but spread it as evenly as possible. Repeat the layers, using all four dough portions and all the fruit filling. Fold the plastic wrap over the dough. Freeze until the loaf is cold and very firm, at least 1 1/2 hours and preferably longer.The dough can then be transferred to a plastic bag and frozen for up to one month.
• Preheat the oven to 350*. Greaze several baking sheets or use nonstick spray.
• Carefully peel the plastic wrap from the loaf. .using a large, sharp knife, trim off and discard the excess dough so the sides of the loaf are straight up and down, rather than flared; wipe the knife clean between cuts (if the loaf is too hard to cut easily, let stand for a few minutes, don't let it thaw too much, or it will be more difficult to slice cleanly. Carefully cut the loaf crosswise into thirds, forming three 2 3/4x4" blocks. Working with one block at a time, keep others refrigerated, cut each third into 1/4" slices to produce 2 3/4" long ribbons, wipe the knife clean between cuts. Using a spatula, carefully transfer the slices to the baking sheets, placing them cut side up about 2" apart. Bake the cookies, one sheet at a time in the upper third of the oven, reversing sheets halfway through baking from front to back to ensure even browning for 9-14 minutes or just until slightly darker at the edges. Using a spatula, immediately transfer the cookies to wire racks to cool completely. Store in an airtight container for up to 1 week or freeze for up to one month.

CHERRY PINWHEEL COOKIES

Steps:

• In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in egg and vanilla. In another bowl, whisk flour, baking powder and salt; gradually beat into creamed mixture. Refrigerate, covered, 1 hour., Divide dough in half. Add cherry extract to 1 half and tint red. Knead almonds into remaining half. Wrap each half; refrigerate at least 3 hours or until firm enough to roll., On a baking sheet, roll each portion between 2 sheets of waxed paper into a 15x8-in. rectangle. Refrigerate 30 minutes., Remove waxed paper. Place almond rectangle on top of cherry rectangle. Roll up tightly jelly-roll style, starting with a long side. Roll in coarse sugar; wrap securely. Refrigerate 2 hours or until firm., Preheat oven to 375°. Unwrap and cut dough crosswise into 1/4-in. slices. Place 2 in. apart on greased baking sheets. Bake 10-12 minutes or until set. Remove from pans to wire racks to cool completely. Store in airtight containers.

CHRISTMAS PINWHEEL COOKIES

Steps:

• In a mixing bowl, beat butter at medium speed until creamy.
• Gradually add sugar, beating until fluffy and light.
• In smaller bowl, combine flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt;
• Slowly add flour mixture to the butter mixture and beat at low speed until well incorporated.
• Divide the dough into 2 equal portions making 2 rolls.
• Take 1 roll and place in a small bowl. Add the red food coloring and mix well with a large spoon. If the color isn't red enough, add more red food coloring.
• Add the crushed peppermint candy to this red dough. Mix well with the large spoon and form into a log.
• Now, wrap each log with Saran wrap and chill for 45 minutes or until firm.
• At this point instead of chilling dough, if you plan on baking these later, you may freeze the dough for up to 6 weeks.
• Creating the pinwheels:.
• Lightly flour your rolling surface.
• Take the plain dough and roll into a 12 x 8-inch rectangle.
• Place a large piece of wax paper and and roll the red dough into a 12 x 8-inch rectangle by placing another piece of wax paper or Seran Wrap on top of the red dough so the rolling pin doesn't touch and stick to the dough.
• Now, lift the wax paper or Seran Wrap off the red dough. Invert the plain dough on top of the red dough.
• Cut dough in half so you have 2 (12 x 4-inch) rectangles.
• Roll up each rectangle in jelly-roll fashion and as you do so, remove the wax paper or Seran Wrap that is on the bottom of the red dough. Start at the long side. Wrap each log in Seran Wrap.
• Chill about an hour.
• Preheat oven to 350 degrees. If using dark pan, preheat oven to 325 degrees.
• Remove dough from refrigerator and unwrap.
• Cut dough into 1/4 inch slices.
• Bake for 6-7 minutes or until set; cool slightly on pans, then remove to racks to cool completely. Note: 6 minutes will give you a chewier cookie.

CRANBERRY ORANGE PINWHEELS

Steps:

• In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in orange zest. , Combine the flour, baking powder and salt; gradually add to creamed mixture and mix well. , Divide dough in half. Cover and refrigerate for 1 hour or until easy to handle. , Meanwhile, in a food processor, combine the cranberries, pecans and brown sugar. Cover and process until finely chopped; set aside., Roll out one portion of dough between two sheets of waxed paper to a 10-in. square. Remove top sheet; spread dough with half of the cranberry mixture to within 1/2 in. of edges. Roll up tightly jelly-roll style. Wrap in plastic. Repeat with remaining dough and cranberry mixture. Refrigerate for 4 hours or overnight., Unwrap rolls and cut into 1/4-in. slices. Place 2 in. apart on ungreased baking sheets. Bake at 375° for 8-10 minutes or until edges are lightly browned. Remove to wire racks. Store in an airtight container.

GINGER CRANBERRY PINWHEELS

Steps:

• In a large bowl, cream the butter, cream cheese and sugar until light and fluffy. Gradually beat in flour and mix well. Cover and refrigerate for 1 hour. , In a large saucepan, bring 1/2 cup cranberries, sugar and water to a boil over medium heat. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, for 5-6 minutes or until berries pop. Remove from the heat; stir in marmalade and ginger. Set aside., Divide dough in half. On a floured surface, roll each portion into a 16 x12-in. rectangle. Let stand for 20 minutes. With a sharp knife or pastry wheel, cut dough into 4-in. squares. Place 3 in. apart on lightly greased baking sheets., Spoon 1/2 teaspoon of filling into the center of each square. Cut through dough from each corner of square to within 1/2 in. of center. Fold alternating points to each center to form a pinwheel; pinch gently at center to seal. Gently press a whole cranberry in center of each one., Bake at 350° for 12-15 minutes or until lightly browned around edges. Remove to wire racks to cool. Dust with confectioners' sugar.

CRANBERRY FETA PINWHEELS

Steps:

• In a small bowl, combine the cream cheese, feta cheese and onions. Stir in cranberries. Spread about 1/2 cup mixture over each tortilla and roll up tightly. Wrap with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour. Cut each roll-up into 10 slices.