Pinwheel Cookie

There’s nothing better than a simple cream cheese cookie—and these Pinwheel Cookies are just that. Soft, buttery, and filled with sweet fruit, they’re as beautiful as they are easy to make. With only four main ingredients (plus powdered sugar for dusting), this recipe keeps things simple while delivering bakery-level results.

Using a dedicated pinwheel cookie cutter makes the process even easier and more consistent. It helps you get clean, even squares every time, so your cookies bake uniformly and look as good as they taste.

Time

Cook Time: 30 minutes
Additional Time: 1 hour
Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes

Ingredients

• 8 oz cream cheese
• 1 1/2 cups unsalted butter
• 3 cups flour (plus extra for rolling)
• 1 cup apricot or raspberry filling (or any thick fruit filling)
• Powdered sugar (for dusting)

Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F.
2. In a stand mixer, combine the cream cheese and softened butter until smooth. Gradually add the flour and mix until a dough forms.
3. Divide the dough into 4 equal pieces. Wrap each piece in plastic wrap and refrigerate for 1 hour.
4. Roll out one piece of dough on a lightly floured surface to about 1/8" thick (Use the 1/8" line on your cookie cutter for reference). Use your pinwheel cookie cutter to cut even squares. (Available in multiple sizes like 2", 2.5", and 3" depending on your preference.)
5. Add a small amount of fruit filling to the center of each square. Fold in one end of each cut corner over the filling to create the pinwheel shape. Lightly dab with water and press gently so the dough holds together. This also helps the cookies stay formed while baking.
6. Place cookies on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Chill the baking sheet in the refrigerator for 10–15 minutes before baking.
7. Bake for 10–13 minutes, depending on size, until lightly golden.
8. Transfer to a cooling rack. Once cooled, dust with powdered sugar and store in an airtight container.

These cookies freeze beautifully, making them perfect for prepping ahead of holidays or events.

Looking to switch things up? Try different fillings like cherry, blueberry, or even chocolate for a fun variation.

For another twist on this classic, check out the Cherry Cream Cheese Pinwheel Cookie recipe by RG Wooten.