Cream Cheese Jam Pinwheel Cookies Recipes

POINSETTIA PINWHEEL COOKIES

Steps:

• Beat the cream cheese, butter and granulated sugar in a large bowl with an electric mixer on medium-high speed until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes, scraping down the bowl with a rubber spatula as needed.
• Reduce the mixer speed to low and beat in the flour and salt until combined. Divide the dough between 2 large pieces of plastic wrap. Flatten each into a 1/2-inch-thick disk and wrap. Refrigerate until firm, at least 1 hour and up to overnight.
• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment.
• Roll out 1 disk of dough on a lightly floured surface until about 1/8 inch thick, dusting with more flour as needed.
• Cut out 3-inch squares using a sharp paring knife or a 3-inch square cutter (you should be able to get 6 or 7 squares). Lift the cutouts using an offset spatula and arrange 2 inches apart on one of the prepared baking sheets. Re-wrap and refrigerate the dough scraps while you shape the pinwheels.
• Cut a 1 1/2-inch slit in all four corners of each dough square to form 8 points. Fold over every other point and press into the center of the square. Refrigerate while you make the leaves.
• Cut enough leaves out of the scraps using a sharp paring knife or a leaf-shaped cutter, making 2 leaves for each pinwheel. Arrange the leaves on the other prepared baking sheet. Lightly brush with water and sprinkle with green sanding sugar. Set aside in the refrigerator.
• Lightly brush the pinwheels with water and sprinkle half with red sanding sugar and half with white sanding sugar. Brush the end of 2 leaves and tuck underneath a pinwheel on opposite sides. (No need to press the dough; it will meld together as it bakes.)
• Bake, rotating the baking sheet halfway through, until the cookies are puffed and the edges are golden, 20 to 25 minutes. Immediately press a chocolate candy in the center of each warm cookie. Let cool 5 minutes, then transfer the cookies to a wire rack to cool completely.
• Repeat with the remaining disk of dough, and any remaining scraps, to make more cookies.

COCONUT CREAM CHEESE PINWHEELS

Steps:

• Using a hand-held electric mixer, cream butter and cream cheese until fluffy, about 2 minutes. Add egg, 1 cup flour, sugar, baking powder, and vanilla. Beat on low speed until combined. Gradually add remaining cup flour. Using a wooden spoon, stir until fully combined. Divide dough in half. Shape each half into a disc, wrap in plastic, and refrigerate until firm, 1 to 2 hours.
• Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line baking sheets with Silpat baking mats or parchment paper.
• Prepare the filling: Using a hand-held electric mixer, beat cream cheese and sugar until fluffy. With a wooden spoon, stir in coconut and chips. Set aside.
• Remove one disc of dough from refrigerator. Roll on a lightly floured surface into an 8-by-13-inch rectangle about 1/8-inch thick. With a fluted cookie cutter, cut into 15 2 1/2-inch squares. Place on prepared baking sheets, about 1 1/2 inches apart.
• Place 1 teaspoon filling in center of each square. Using a fluted pastry wheel, cut 1-inch slits diagonally from each corner toward the filling. Fold every other tip over to cover filling, and form a pinwheel. Press lightly to seal.
• Whisk together egg and oil. Using a pastry brush, lightly brush tops of pinwheels with egg mixture. Sprinkle with sugar.
• Transfer to oven, and bake until edges are golden and cookies are slightly puffed, 10 to 12 minutes. Transfer baking sheet to a wire rack to cool. Let cool for 5 minutes on baking sheets before transferring cookies to wire rack. Repeat with remaining disc of dough.

PINWHEEL COOKIES

Steps:

• In a large bowl, cream the butter, cream cheese and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the egg, orange zest and vanilla. Combine flour and salt; gradually add to the creamed mixture and mix well. Cover and chill for 4 hours or until firm. , Meanwhile, combine all filling ingredients in a small saucepan. Cook and stir over low heat until smooth; set aside to cool. , On a floured surface, divide dough in half; roll each half into a 12x10-in. rectangle. Spread with filling. Carefully roll up into a tight jelly roll and wrap in waxed paper. Chill overnight. , Unwrap and cut into 1/4-in. slices. Place 2 in. apart on ungreased baking sheets. Bake at 375° for 8-10 minutes or until lightly browned. Remove to wire racks to cool.

APRICOT PINWHEELS

Steps:

• In large bowl, beat cream cheese, butter, sugar and vanilla with electric mixer on medium speed, or mix with spoon, until light and fluffy. Stir in flour and salt. Cover and refrigerate about 30 minutes or until firm.
• Heat oven to 350°F. Lightly grease cookie sheets with shortening. On generously floured surface, roll dough into 16x12-inch rectangle. Cut rectangle into 48 (2-inch) squares, 8 rows by 6 rows. Use metal spatula to place squares 1 inch apart on cookie sheets.
• Spread each square with about 1/4 teaspoon jam. On each square, cut from each corner to 1/4 inch from center. Bring every other point to center and press together to form pinwheel. Sprinkle each with almonds.
• Bake 8 to 10 minutes or until lightly browned. Immediately remove from cookie sheet to cooling rack; cool.