Gingerbread Peppermint Pinwheels Recipes

PEPPERMINT PINWHEELS

Steps:

• Whisk the flour, baking powder and salt in a medium bowl. Beat the butter and granulated sugar in a large bowl with a mixer on medium-high speed until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Add the egg and vanilla and peppermint extracts and beat until combined. Reduce the mixer speed to low and beat in the flour mixture, then increase the speed to medium high and beat until well combined.
• Divide the dough into 3 pieces. Return 1 piece to the bowl; beat in the red food coloring with the mixer until the color is fully incorporated. Beat the green food coloring into another piece of dough. Leave the last piece of dough plain. Place each piece of dough on a separate sheet of plastic wrap and pat into a 4-inch square. Wrap and refrigerate until firm, at least 1 hour.
• Lightly flour 1 piece of dough; roll out between 2 sheets of parchment paper into a 9-by-12-inch rectangle. Repeat with the remaining dough. Refrigerate the dough rectangles until firm, about 30 minutes.
• Carefully remove the top piece of parchment from each piece of dough. Flip the plain dough on top of the red dough; remove the parchment. Flip the green dough on top of the plain dough; remove the parchment. Cut the stack in half crosswise. Roll up each half lengthwise into a tight log, using the parchment to help you. Transfer to a baking sheet, cover loosely with plastic wrap and refrigerate until firm, at least 1 hour.
• Position racks in the upper and lower thirds of the oven; preheat to 350 degrees F. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper. Trim the ends of each log; slice into 1/4-inch-thick rounds and divide between the prepared baking sheets. Sprinkle with coarse sugar. (If the dough is too soft to slice, refrigerate until firm, 15 to 30 minutes.) Bake, switching the pans halfway through, until the cookies are just firm, 12 to 15 minutes. Let cool 10 minutes on the baking sheets, then transfer to racks to cool completely.

PEPPERMINT PINWHEELS

Steps:

• Sift together the flour, salt and baking powder and set aside.
• Cream butter and sugar together in another large bowl. Add egg and beat until incorporated. Add the vanilla and peppermint extract. Gradually add the dry mixture, beating until combined. Remove half of the mixture from the bowl. Add food coloring, beating until fully combined. In waxed paper, roll out dough to form a large rectangle, about 1/4-inch thick. Repeat this step with the other half of uncolored dough with no food coloring. Refrigerate for 2 hours.
• Tear out 1 sheet of waxed or parchment paper. Sprinkle the surface of the paper with powdered sugar to prevent sticking. Very carefully, slide the red dough on top of the white dough. Trim edges if uneven and patch if necessary. Roll dough into a log, creating a swirl effect. Place the dough back in the refrigerator and let chill for 2 hours.
• Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
• Slice the dough into 1/2-inch slices and place on a parchment lined sheet tray about 1-inch apart. Place lollipop stick about 1-inch through the flat side of the dough. Bake for 8 to 10 minutes. Remove from oven and let cool on a wire rack.
• A viewer, who may not be a professional cook, provided this recipe. The Food Network Kitchens chefs have not tested this recipe and therefore, we cannot make representation as to the results.
• Special equipment: 24 lollipop sticks .

PINWHEEL MINTS

Steps:

• In a large bowl, beat cream cheese and extract until smooth. Gradually beat in as much confectioners' sugar as possible., Turn onto a work surface dusted with confectioners' sugar; knead in remaining confectioners' sugar until smooth and sugar is absorbed (mixture will be stiff). Divide mixture in half. Using food coloring, tint one portion pink and the other portion light green, kneading until blended., Divide each portion in half; shape each half into a 10-in. log to make two pink logs and two green logs. Place one log on a 12-in. piece of waxed paper lightly dusted with confectioners' sugar. Flatten log slightly; cover with a second piece of waxed paper. Roll out candy mixture into a 12-in. x 5-in. rectangle. Repeat with remaining logs., Remove top sheet of waxed paper from one pink and one green rectangle. Place one rectangle over the other. Roll up jelly-roll style, starting with a long side. Wrap in waxed paper; twist ends. Repeat with remaining rectangles. Chill overnight., To serve, cut candy into 1/2-in. slices. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.