Cream Cheese Jam Pinwheel Cookies are a delightful combination of tangy cream cheese and sweet jam, all rolled up in a soft, buttery cookie dough. These elegant cookies are perfect for any occasion, whether you’re hosting a tea party, making holiday treats, or just indulging in a delicious dessert. The flaky, tender dough combined with a burst of fruity jam makes these cookies a crowd-pleaser, and their pinwheel shape adds a fun and decorative touch.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
You’ll love Cream Cheese Jam Pinwheel Cookies for their tender, buttery dough and the sweet, fruity filling. The cream cheese in the dough adds richness and tang, while the jam adds a delightful contrast of sweetness. These cookies are easy to customize with your favorite jam flavors, and their beautiful pinwheel shape makes them perfect for gift-giving or special occasions. With simple ingredients and straightforward steps, these cookies are a joy to bake and even more fun to eat!
Expert Tips and Tricks
- Chill the Dough: For the best results, chill the dough for at least 30 minutes before rolling it out. This makes the dough easier to handle and helps the cookies hold their shape.
- Don’t Overfill: When spreading the jam, use a thin, even layer to prevent it from oozing out during baking.
- Roll Tightly: Roll the dough tightly to create neat, defined pinwheel shapes.
- Use Parchment Paper: Roll out the dough between sheets of parchment paper to prevent sticking and make cleanup easier.
- Cool Completely Before Slicing: Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a cooling rack, as they’ll firm up as they cool.
Recipe Variations and Possible Substitutions
- Different Jams: Use your favorite jam flavors, such as raspberry, strawberry, or apricot. You can even use lemon curd or Nutella for a twist.
- Add Nuts: Sprinkle finely chopped nuts, such as pecans or almonds, over the jam before rolling the dough for added texture and flavor.
- Gluten-Free Option: Use a gluten-free flour blend in place of all-purpose flour to make these cookies gluten-free.
- Cinnamon Sugar: Instead of jam, you can spread butter and sprinkle cinnamon sugar over the dough for a cinnamon pinwheel variation.
Serving and Pairing Suggestions
Serve Cream Cheese Jam Pinwheel Cookies with a cup of hot tea, coffee, or a glass of cold milk. These cookies are perfect for afternoon tea, dessert platters, or as a sweet treat for brunch. For an extra indulgence, drizzle the cookies with a simple icing made of powdered sugar and milk or top them with a dusting of powdered sugar before serving.
Storage and Reheating Tips
- Refrigeration: Store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, or in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
- Freezing: Freeze the unbaked cookie dough rolls wrapped tightly in plastic wrap for up to 2 months. Thaw in the refrigerator before slicing and baking.
- Reheating: These cookies don’t need to be reheated, but you can warm them slightly in the microwave for a soft, gooey center.
Recipe FAQs
Can I use low-fat cream cheese? Full-fat cream cheese is recommended for the best texture, but you can use low-fat cream cheese if desired. Avoid fat-free cream cheese, as it may affect the dough’s consistency.
What if I don’t have parchment paper? You can roll out the dough on a lightly floured surface, but parchment paper makes it easier to handle and transfer the dough.
How do I keep the cookies from spreading? Chilling the dough before baking and rolling it tightly will help the cookies maintain their shape.
Can I make the dough ahead of time? Yes, the dough can be made ahead and refrigerated for up to 2 days or frozen for longer storage.
Can I use different fillings? Absolutely! Try using Nutella, lemon curd, or cinnamon sugar for different flavor variations.
Cream Cheese Jam Pinwheel Cookies
Indulge in the exquisite blend of tangy cream cheese and sweet jam with these Cream Cheese Jam Pinwheel Cookies. A perfect treat, dusted with powdered sugar for an added touch of elegance.
Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 4 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup jam (your choice of flavor, such as raspberry, strawberry, or apricot)
- Optional: Powdered sugar for dusting
Instructions
- Make the Dough: In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter, cream cheese, and sugar until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Add the vanilla extract and mix until combined.
- Add Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour and salt. Gradually add the flour mixture to the butter mixture, mixing until a soft dough forms.
- Chill the Dough: Divide the dough in half and shape each half into a disk. Wrap each disk in plastic wrap and chill in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes.
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Roll Out the Dough: On a lightly floured surface or between sheets of parchment paper, roll out one disk of dough into a 12×10-inch rectangle. Spread a thin layer of jam over the dough, leaving a small border around the edges.
- Roll and Chill: Carefully roll the dough into a log, starting from one long side. Wrap the log in plastic wrap and chill for another 15-20 minutes to firm up. Repeat with the second disk of dough.
- Slice and Bake: Slice the chilled dough into 1/4-inch thick rounds and place them on the prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart. Bake for 12-15 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden.
- Cool and Serve: Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheets for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. Dust with powdered sugar if desired.
Notes
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 24 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 182Total Fat: 9gSaturated Fat: 6gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 3gCholesterol: 25mgSodium: 40mgCarbohydrates: 23gFiber: 0gSugar: 13gProtein: 2g
