She Strengthens

Unwrap the Magic of Cream Cheese Pinwheels

A Sweet Discovery

Tucked away in my parents’ kitchen cabinets, I stumbled upon a vintage cookie press from 1963, accompanied by a treasured recipe book. One particular recipe caught my eye, and I was determined to recreate it with a modern twist. The result was a show-stopping Cream Cheese Pinwheel cookie that has become a holiday favorite among friends and family.

Getting Started

To create these stunning cookies, you’ll need a 12- to 18-inch pastry bag fitted with a star tip. The size of your cookies will depend on the tip you choose, but we’ve had great success with a 1/2-inch-wide star tip, yielding 2-inch-wide cookies.

A Cream Cheese Dream

These pinwheels are a dream come true for cream cheese enthusiasts. If you’re looking for more ways to indulge, try pairing them with our signature cream cheese frosting recipe for an unforgettable treat.

Yield and Difficulty

Yield: 32 cookies
Difficulty: Medium
Total Time: 55 minutes
Active Time: 25 minutes

Ingredients

• 2 sticks (8 ounces) unsalted butter, at room temperature
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1/3 cup (3 ounces) cream cheese, at room temperature
• 1 egg yolk, at room temperature
• 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
• 1/4 teaspoon fine salt
• 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/4 cup raspberry jam

The Art of Piping

Heat your oven to 350°F and prepare a baking sheet. In a stand mixer, combine butter, sugar, and cream cheese, mixing until light and fluffy. Scrape down the bowl sides and add egg yolk, vanilla, and salt, beating until smooth. Gradually add flour, mixing until the dough comes together.

Piping Perfection

Place the dough in a piping bag fitted with a star tip, squeezing out air pockets. Twist the bag tightly and hold it at the point where you started the twist. Use your other hand to guide the tip, piping the cookies in a counterclockwise spiral. Make only one full rotation, keeping the spiral tight.

Adding the Finishing Touch

Use a wooden spoon to create an indentation in the center of each cookie. Fill the indentation with raspberry jam, being careful not to overfill. Bake the cookies until the edges are golden brown, about 15 to 20 minutes. Let them cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a rack to cool completely.

The Result

These Cream Cheese Pinwheels are a masterpiece of flavor and design. With their delicate swirls and sweet cream cheese filling, they’re sure to impress at any holiday gathering. So go ahead, get creative, and unwrap the magic of these show-stopping cookies!