Vanilla And Chocolate Shortbread Pinwheels Food

CHOCOLATE VANILLA PINWHEEL COOKIES (SLICE-AND-BAKE SWIRL COOKIES)

Steps:

• Sift the flour, baking powder, and salt into a large bowl and whisk to combine.
• In a separate bowl (or in a stand mixer), add the softened butter and beat until creamy. Then, gradually add the sugar, mixing constantly, until the mixture is a pale yellow and light and fluffy, with the sugar fully incorporated.
• Add the eggs (one at a time) and the vanilla to the creamed butter, mixing well in-between each addition.
• Finally, add the flour mixture incrementally, mixing in between, until a dough forms. It shouldn't be sticky.
• Weigh the biscuit dough and divide it into two even pieces. Wrap one in plastic wrap and return the other half to the mixer/bowl.
• Add the cacao powder, instant coffee, and cinnamon (if using) to the dough and mix well until incorporated.You can optionally chill the dough at this point for at least 30 minutes (up to a day) wrapped in plastic wrap in the refrigerator. However, I find it simpler to roll out into the rectangles first.
• Place the first dough ball between two sheets of parchment paper and roll into a rectangle that's as close to 9x14-inches (23x35cm) and ¼-inch (0.6cm) thick. Remove the excess to make it a neat rectangle (the scraps can make spare marbled chocolate vanilla cookies).I like to measure the size on the parchment paper first, marking it with a pencil (on the side opposite the dough). That way, you can use it as a guideline while rolling.
• Repeat this step with the other dough ball - make sure the dough sheets are equal in size. Then transfer both to the fridge for at least an hour to chill (or for up to a day).
• Decide which (chocolate or vanilla dough) you want to be the outer and inner swirl in the pinwheel cookies. OR, if you can't decide, you can even do half and half, as I did.
• Place the color you want to be the "outer" swirl on the counter first and peel away the top layer of parchment paper. Then, remove the parchment paper from the top of the other sheet and carefully flip it over, placing it on top of the first sheet. Then gently roll or press just to make sure the two adhere slightly.If you want half and half, now you can slice the sheets in half lengthwise and flip one over (so the color on the bottom is now on top).
• Now it's time to gently roll the cookie dough into logs. You can use the parchment paper underneath to lift and help you create the first roll. Roll the first roll tightly to avoid gaps in the cookies.If the dough cracks while rolling (more likely with the drier chocolate dough), just gently pinch it together and continue rolling. If there are cracks on the outer layer, roll it on the surface a little to smooth out the cracks.TOP TIP: If you're rolling a single log, I recommend rolling them from the longer side (for fewer swirls but a nice cookie size). If you roll from the short side, you'll have tons of swirls and larger cookies-it's up to you.If you're creating two logs (As I did), I like to roll from the short side to create a nice swirl within.
• Once rolled, re-wrap the roll/s in parchment paper. Then place back in the fridge to chill for an additional hour (or overnight). Alternatively, chill it in the freezer for 20-30 minutes.
• Preheat the oven to 350ºF/175ºC.
• Remove the roll/s from the fridge. If the underside is slightly flat from resting in the fridge, lightly roll it on the surface to smooth it out. If you chilled the sugar cookie dough in the freezer, allow it a few minutes at room temperature before slicing.
• Slice the log into ¼-inch cookies and place them on a parchment-lined baking sheet, separated by around 1 inch.
• Place the baking tray on the middle shelf in the oven. Bake for between 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are just becoming golden.It's best to bake one tray of cookies at a time (so it's in the middle of the oven). While baking the first back, you can prepare and cut the cookies for the second. Alternatively, you can save the rest for later (read the storage section below for details).
• Once baked, remove the cookies from the oven. Allow them to cool on the tray for a few minutes before transferring to a rack until fully cooled.
• Make ahead: there are several ways you can make these old-fashioned pinwheel cookies ahead.The mixed dough: wrap it in plastic wrap and store in the fridge for 4-5 days or in the freezer for up to three months.The rolled cookie dough log: wrap tightly in plastic wrap and store in the freezer for up to three months. You can also gift the frozen logs to friends and family. That way, they can defrost (15-20 minutes at room temperature) and slice and bake the cookies when wanted.The sliced cookies: flash freeze the cookies spread out on a baking sheet (not touching) until solid. Then transfer to a freezer-safe container or Ziplock bag for 3 months.Store: allow the chocolate pinwheel cookies to cool and then store in an airtight container on the counter for 3-5 days. You can also freeze the baked cookies for up to 3 months. Allow them to thaw on the counter before serving.

LIZZIE'S CHOCOLATE PINWHEEL COOKIES

Steps:

• Cream the shortening and sugar in a large bowl with an electric mixer. Add the vanilla, and egg yolk and mix well.
• Sift the flour into a separate bowl with the baking powder and salt. Add the flour mixture and milk alternately to the shortening mixture, beginning and ending with the flour mixture, and mix to form a dough. Divide the dough into 2 halves. To one half, add the chocolate, mixing thoroughly. Wrap both sections of dough in separate pieces of plastic wrap and chill in the refrigerator for about 1 hour.
• Unwrap and roll each half of dough between 2 pieces of waxed paper. Roll to a 1/8-inch thickness. Remove the waxed paper from the top of each layer of dough. Place the white layer on top of the chocolate layer and roll up carefully as you would a jellyroll, using the waxed paper to roll smoothly. Wrap the roll with the waxed paper and chill overnight in the refrigerator.
• The next day, preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
• Cut the roll into 1/4-inch slices (see Cook's Note) and place about 1/2 inch apart on ungreased baking sheets. Bake for about 12 minutes. Do not brown. Remove carefully with a pancake turner and cool on racks.

BASIC CHOCOLATE PINWHEEL COOKIES

Steps:

• In a large bowl, cream butter and sugars until light and fluffy. Add the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each. Beat in vanilla. Combine the flour, baking powder and salt; gradually add to the creamed mixture and mix well. , Divide dough in half; add cocoa to one portion. Divide each portion in half. On a baking sheet, roll out each portion between waxed paper into a 12x10-in. rectangle. Refrigerate for 30 minutes. , Remove waxed paper. Place one chocolate rectangle over a plain rectangle. Roll up tightly, jelly-roll style, starting with a long side; wrap in plastic. Repeat with remaining dough. Refrigerate for 2 hours or until firm. Unwrap and cut into 1/4-in. slices. , Place 2 in. apart on lightly greased baking sheets. Bake at 350° for 10-12 minutes or until set. Remove to wire racks to cool.

VANILLA SHORTBREAD

Steps:

• Whisk the flour and salt in a medium bowl. Beat the butter and sugar in a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment on medium speed until creamy. Beat in the vanilla until incorporated.
• Reduce the speed to low and gradually add flour mixture. Beat, scraping the bowl occasionally, until the dough comes together in large clumps.
• Transfer the dough to a gallon-size resealable plastic freezer bag and press into a 1-inch thick, 9 by 5-inch rectangle. The bag is 9 inches wide, so you're pressing the dough to the edges. Refrigerate until firm, at least 2 hours and up to 2 days.
• When ready to bake, preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
• Cut the dough into thirds to form rectangular logs that are 3 inches wide. Cut each log into 1/4-inch-thick slices. Place the slices on the prepared baking sheets, spacing them 1/2 inch apart.
• Bake one sheet at a time until the edges are browned and the tops are golden, 14 to 18 minutes. Let cool completely on the sheets on wire racks. The shortbread keeps at room temperature in an airtight container for up to 2 weeks.