This Valentine’s Day, express your deepest affection with a batch of these exquisite Valentine’s Day-inspired Raspberry Pinwheel Cookies – a truly heartfelt gesture for anyone you cherish.
Bake Love This Valentine’s Day: Raspberry Pinwheel Cookies
The season of love is upon us, and with Valentine’s Day just around the corner, what better way to celebrate than by whipping up something truly special for that cherished person in your life? Baking isn’t just about ingredients; it’s an act of love, a delicious expression of care and affection. This year, move beyond store-bought chocolates and create a memorable culinary masterpiece that speaks directly from the heart. And for us, that means a batch of these irresistible Raspberry Pinwheel Cookies. ♥
A Timeless Tradition: The Enduring Charm of Valentine’s Day
Valentine’s Day evokes a myriad of reactions. Some embrace its romantic overtures wholeheartedly, while others might view it with a touch of skepticism. For me, it has always been a day to anticipate with joy and excitement. My love affair with Valentine’s Day began in grammar school, fueled by the thrill of decorating a small, adorably crafted Valentine box. There was an undeniable magic in carefully dropping in each Valentine card, eagerly hoping to receive a few in return – perhaps even a special one from a secret crush. It was a simple, innocent joy that sparked a lifelong appreciation for this day dedicated to love.
Growing up, even on years without a schoolyard admirer, my wonderful father happily stepped in as my Valentine. These were cherished days filled with warmth, thoughtful gestures, delicious candies, and, of course, homemade desserts. It’s this spirit of familial love and culinary indulgence that truly defines Valentine’s Day for me. It’s a triple win: love, sweet treats, and cherished memories all rolled into one.
Crafting Culinary Delight: The Story Behind These Raspberry Pinwheel Cookies
This year, I felt inspired to infuse my beloved pinwheel cookie recipe with a special Valentine’s Day twist. The classic elegance of pinwheels, with their mesmerizing swirl design, perfectly lends itself to the romantic aesthetic of the holiday. To achieve the vibrant color and authentic flavor, I went the extra mile to create a homemade raspberry puree. This isn’t just about avoiding artificial ingredients; it’s about harnessing the natural sweetness and tang of fresh raspberries, which imparts an unparalleled depth of flavor and a beautiful, natural pink hue to the cookies.
Each cookie is a small work of art, featuring a delicate layer of raspberry-infused dough elegantly complemented by a pristine layer of vanilla dough. These two soft, buttery doughs are then meticulously rolled together to create that signature pinwheel swirl, before being generously coated in cheerful, Valentine-colored nonpareils. The result is a cookie that is as visually stunning as it is delectable – truly festive and undeniably charming! I won’t sugarcoat it; these cookies do require a little more time and careful attention than your average drop cookie. However, the effort is undeniably worth it. Imagine the delight on your Valentine’s face (whether it’s a romantic partner, a dear friend, or even your dad!) when they taste these beautifully handcrafted treats. It’s a profound way to show just how much you care, transforming simple ingredients into a memorable expression of love.
A Sweet Collaboration: Discover More Valentine’s Day Treats
As a special Valentine’s Day bonus, I’m thrilled to share that I’ve teamed up with an incredible group of fellow food bloggers! My dear friend Cathy from What Should I Make For… organized this fabulous collaboration, bringing together eleven talented individuals, each sharing their unique and favorite treats perfect for the upcoming holiday. This impressive list of goodies offers a diverse array of dessert ideas, ensuring there’s something to tantalize every taste bud. So, after you’ve mastered these Raspberry Pinwheel Cookies, be sure to explore the other delightful creations from this amazing community of bakers!
Meet the #vdaysweettreats bloggers and explore their delicious contributions:
What Should I Make For… | Raspberry Triple Chocolate Cheesecake in a Jar
The Sweet Nerd | Double Chocolate Naked Cake
The Road to Honey | Chocolate Tart with Champagne & Truffles
Beyond Mere Sustenance | Chocolate Dipped Candied Blood Oranges
Girl Heart Food | Lemon Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting, Raspberries and White Chocolate Drizzle
Seasonal Cravings |Chocolate Donut Holes with Pomegranate Cream Filling
No Spoon Necessary | Chocolate Velvet Skillet Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting
Seasons and Suppers | Swedish Gooey Chocolate Cake
Beer Girl Cooks | Chocolate Peanut Butter Porter No-Bake Cheesecake Cups
Ciao Chow Bambina | Roasted Strawberry Chocolate Hazelnut Panini
The Beach House Kitchen | Valentine’s Raspberry Pinwheel Cookies
Your Guide to Baking Delicious Raspberry Pinwheel Cookies
Ready to get baking? Here’s the detailed recipe for these delightful Valentine’s Raspberry Pinwheel Cookies. Follow these steps for a beautiful and delicious result that will surely impress.
Valentine’s Raspberry Pinwheel Cookies
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Ingredients
- 10 oz. raspberries frozen
- 2 cups all-purpose flour plus 5 tablespoons
- 1/2 tsp. baking powder
- 1/8 tsp. salt
- 1 cup 2 sticks unsalted butter
- 1 cup granulated sugar plus 1 Tbsp.
- 2 large eggs separated
- 1 tsp. vanilla extract
- 1 1/2 cups Valentine colored nonpareil decors
Instructions
- Cook raspberries and one tablespoon sugar in a medium saucepan over medium heat until they are soft and release their juices, about 5-7 minutes. Puree the mixture in a food processor until smooth. Strain the puree through a fine sieve to remove any seeds, ensuring a smooth consistency. Set the raspberry puree aside to cool completely before incorporating into the dough.
- In a large bowl, sift together 2 cups of all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt. This step helps to aerate the dry ingredients and remove any lumps. Set this dry mixture aside.
- In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, cream the softened butter and one cup of granulated sugar together on medium speed until the mixture is light, fluffy, and pale in color. Add the egg yolks, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract until just combined, scraping down the sides of the bowl occasionally to ensure everything is evenly mixed. Gradually add the sifted flour mixture to the wet ingredients, beating on low speed until the dough comes together and is no longer crumbly. Remove half of the dough from the bowl, form it into a small disk, and set it aside. To the remaining dough in the bowl, add 3 tablespoons of the cooled raspberry puree and the additional 5 tablespoons of flour. Beat until the dough is uniformly colored and smooth. Form this raspberry dough into a separate disk.
- Roll out each disk of dough between two sheets of wax paper. Aim for a rectangular shape, approximately 14×8 inches, and about 1/8 inch thick. The wax paper prevents sticking and makes handling easier. Carefully slide both rolled-out dough rectangles onto two separate large baking sheets and refrigerate for about 1 hour to firm up the dough, which is crucial for neat rolling and slicing.
- Pour the Valentine-colored nonpareil decors into a 9×13 inch pan. This will be used later for coating the cookie log. Set aside.
- Once chilled, remove the dough rectangles from the refrigerator. Lay them side by side on your clean work surface, with the long edges positioned closer to you. Carefully peel away the top layer of wax paper from both the raspberry and vanilla doughs. Lightly brush the entire surface of the raspberry dough with a very thin layer of water. Gently invert the vanilla dough rectangle directly on top of the raspberry dough, paper side up. Using a rolling pin, gently roll over the top wax paper of the vanilla dough to firmly seal the two layers together. Carefully remove the top sheet of wax paper from the vanilla dough. Using a sharp knife or pastry wheel, trim the edges of the layered dough to create a neat, uniform rectangle.
- Starting from the long side, carefully and tightly roll the layered dough into a cylinder. As you roll, continuously peel off the bottom sheet of wax paper. Once rolled, gently press along the seam to ensure it’s completely sealed. Trim any uneven ends to create a perfect log. Carefully transfer the cookie log into the pan of nonpareil decors and gently roll it until it’s completely coated on all sides. Wrap the coated log tightly in fresh wax paper and refrigerate for 3-4 hours, or until it is firm enough to slice cleanly without distorting its shape. This chilling step is essential for perfectly defined pinwheels.
- Preheat your oven to 325 degrees Fahrenheit (160 degrees Celsius). Line baking sheets with parchment paper. Remove the chilled cookie log from the refrigerator and unwrap it. Using a sharp knife, slice the log into 1/4 inch thick rounds. Place the cookie slices on the prepared baking sheets, ensuring they are about one inch apart to allow for slight spreading. Bake one sheet at a time for 12-14 minutes, or until the tops of the cookies are firm to the touch and their bottoms are lightly browned. Do not overbake to keep them tender. Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before carefully transferring them to wire racks to cool completely. Once fully cooled, these delightful Raspberry Pinwheel Cookies can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days, perfect for enjoying throughout the Valentine’s week!
We hope these Raspberry Pinwheel Cookies bring joy and sweetness to your Valentine’s Day celebrations. Baking is a wonderful way to connect with loved ones and create lasting memories. Happy baking, and happy Valentine’s Day!