Back for week 2 of the 12 Weeks of Christmas Cookies! I’m not going to lie, I’m already having trouble coming up with cookies! I did 25 days of holiday treats last December and used most of my favorite recipes and others that I’d wanted to try for awhile.
I was inspired by my snickerdoodle cupcakes but wanted something different from the usual snickerdoodle. These turned out just as I’d hoped and they might just be the cutest cookies I’ve ever seen.
The dough is almost a sugar cookie dough but it includes cream cheese which I think belongs in all snickerdoodles. It gives the cookies a softer texture and just a slight tang that you probably wouldn’t notice if it wasn’t pointed out to you. The cinnamon sugar gives it the classic snickerdoodle flavor and you could even take it one step further and dust the tops of the cookies with the mixture, although it would cover up the pretty swirls.
The cookies are a little more involved than regular cookies. My advice is to generously flour your work surface. I skimped on the flour and ended up having to piece the dough together as I rolled it. So use more than you normally would and use a pastry brush to dust any excess off.
It’s a great cookie though and one that just about anyone would enjoy. I look forward to making it again once the holidays get here!
Snickerdoodle Pinwheels
For the cookies:
- ½ cup unsalted butter (softened)
- 3 ounces cream cheese (softened)
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 2 ⅔ cups all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
For the cinnamon mixture:
- ⅓ cup sugar
- 1 tablespoon cinnamon
- 1 tablespoon butter
- Cream butter, cream cheese, and sugar in a large mixing bowl until light and fluffy. Add in egg and vanilla; beat until combined. Sift in flour and baking powder. Mix just until combined, being careful not to overmix. Dump dough onto counter and knead 2 or 3 times just to incorporate any leftover flour. Divide into 2 discs and wrap in plastic wrap. Refrigerate for about an hour.
- To make cinnamon mixture, combine sugar and cinnamon. Melt butter; set aside.
- Working with one disc of dough at a time, roll out into a 12 x 8 inch rectangle on a floured surface. Brush dough with half of the melted butter. Sprinkle with half of the cinnamon mixture. Starting from one of the short sides, roll into a tight log. Wrap in plastic wrap. Repeat with other disc. Refrigerate for at least 4 hours.
- When ready to bake, preheat oven to 375F.
- Use a sharp knife to cut dough into ¼-inch rounds; place on ungreased baking sheet. Bake for 8 to 10 minutes or until edges are just slightly golden. Cool on wire rack.
Jamie says
I love snickerdoodles and these are so different and unique. I love the addition of cream cheese. Awesome photos! I wish I could just pick up one or two of those cookies from my computer screen and eat them.
.-= Jamie´s last blog ..Chicken Tortilla Soup with The Kids Cook Monday! =-.
marcellina says
These look so delicious!I have never made cookies with cream cheese in them. Our Australian recipe are so different but I have been seeing it included recently as I read more US Cookbooks. Love the variation! I must try these. Thanks for stopping by my blog!
.-= marcellina´s last blog ..Week 2 of Twelve Weeks of Christmas Cookies – Chocolate Snowballs =-.
Martha (MM) says
Cinnamon anything is my favorite! These would definitely be a perfect addition for my cookie trays! I love the simplicity and beauty of these and I know they would be my favorite cookie ever! :-)
.-= Martha (MM)´s last blog ..Tailgating Time 5 =-.
Bonnie says
These are beautiful cookies. They are pretty and so delicate looking.
.-= Bonnie´s last blog ..2nd Annual 12 Weeks of Christmas Bloghop =-.
Jennifer @ Maple n Cornbread says
These are genius!!!! and so pretty too!
.-= Jennifer @ Maple n Cornbread´s last blog ..Sweet Potato Pie Fudge =-.
Katrina says
Yum. Those ARE really fun. So do you have a snickerdoodle recipe that has cream cheese in i?. I would love that if you have one. Great cookie.
.-= Katrina´s last blog ..FFWD—Gerard’s Mustard Tart And CSN Stores Giveaway Winner! =-.
amanda says
This is the recipe I use:
http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Lighter-Snickerdoodles/Detail.aspx
Except I use full fat cream cheese! ;) They’re so good, like the classic but softer.
Avril says
OMHappiness!!!! I just love the looks of these cookies – I want to make them ASAP! I really like how there is cream cheese in the cookies too AND how the recipe makes sooo many!
Wishing you a wonderful weekend!
~avril :-)
.-= Avril´s last blog ..Toll House Pie Bars – Week 2 of 12 Weeks of Christmas Cookies =-.
Lina says
cream cheese dough with cinnamon. sounds like a winner :)
.-= Lina´s last blog ..12 Weeks of Christmas- Week 2 – Chocolate Dipped Disney Cookies =-.
natalie (the sweets life) says
bookmarking these–cant wait to give them a go!
.-= natalie (the sweets life)´s last blog ..Moroccan Stew =-.
Sue says
These cookies look like they would melt in your mouth! They look beautiful and delicious! Anything with cream cheese is O.K. in my book:)
Lisa says
I love cinnamon and sugar and have been wanting to try a cinnamon roll cookie. Yours look absolutely delicious and I’m sure that addition of cream cheese to the dough really makes them tender.
.-= Lisa´s last blog ..12 Weeks of Christmas Cookies 2 – Cinnamon Cornflake Cookies =-.
Tracy says
These look so soft and delicious! Yum!
.-= Tracy´s last blog ..Red Velvet Shortbread Cookies =-.
megan says
Ha! They look like mini cini rolls!
Cristine says
Wow… these look amazing!
.-= Cristine´s last blog ..FFwD- Gerards Mustard Tart =-.
Tracy says
I made something similar for these week’s cookie and it was a challenge for me. Glad to see others having success with the pinwheel type of cookie. I’ll have to try your recipe soon!
.-= Tracy´s last blog ..12 weeks of Cookies Week 2 =-.
Trisha says
These look really pretty … i bet they taste as good as they look!
.-= Trisha´s last blog ..Week 2 of 12 Weeks of Christmas Cookies- Chocolate Pistachio Fudge =-.
Samantha Angela @ Bikini Birthday says
Ah snickerdoodles again! Now I’m definitely going to have to make these things!
.-= Samantha Angela @ Bikini Birthday´s last blog ..Eating Animals – Review =-.
April says
They are gorgeous! I love the swirl!
.-= April´s last blog ..Oatmeal Raisin Cookies-Week 2 =-.
BethieofVA says
They are so pretty with the swirl. YUM!!
Pam says
I LOVE these! I am so going to have to try them – I never thought about putting cream cheese in snickerdoodles! Your pictures look amazing, too : )
.-= Pam´s last blog ..12 Weeks of Christmas Cookies- Week Two- Pumpkin Cranberry Biscotti =-.