Maurice Lenell Pinwheel Cookies (Video: Step-By-Step!)

Discover the magic of Maurice Lenell Pinwheel Cookies – a delightful treat that combines chocolate and vanilla layers in a red and green swirl! Sure to delight young and old!

Maurice Lenell Pinwheel Cookies

Feeling a little nostalgic, these Maurice Lenell Pinwheel cookies are from Bruce’s youth. Bruce has fond memories of visiting his Aunt Jean and Uncle Bob and snacking on Maurice Lenell Bakery in Chicago. Although any of the Maurice Lenell cookies were good, Christmas Pinwheel cookies were a favorite of his.

These Maurice Lenell pinwheel cookies are rolled up with a vanilla and a milk chocolate layer of cookie dough, and rolled in red and green sugar. The flavor will keep you baking these for every holiday season!

Two layers of cookie dough are rolled out, then layered and rolled into logs. After a nice chill in the fridge, they are rolled in red and green sugar. This gives them the bright color and a tasty crisp edge. Slicing them with a sharp knife while they are ice cold is key to keeping the shape round. 

The Maurice Lenell Cookie Company, known for its iconic pinwheel cookies and other sweet treats, has a rich history that dates back to the early 20th century. The company’s story is one of entrepreneurship and success, particularly in the Chicago area. The company was founded in 1925 in Chicago, Illinois, by Swedish immigrants August Lenell and his wife, Anna. August was a skilled baker who decided to turn his passion for baking into a business. The company was named after their son, Maurice Lenell.

Signature Pinwheel Cookies: Maurice Lenell became famous for its pinwheel cookies, which were distinctive spiral-shaped cookies with a sweet and crumbly texture. These cookies quickly became a beloved treat for generations of Chicagoans and beyond. Read more about the history: Chicago cookie tradition ends as Maurice Lenell production stops

What you will need to make Maurice Lenell Pinwheel Cookies:

Baking Powder: Baking powder is a leavening agent that helps the cookies rise and become light and fluffy. It adds a bit of airiness to the texture.

Salt: Salt enhances the overall flavor of the cookies by balancing and intensifying the sweetness of the other ingredients. It also helps to strengthen the gluten structure in the dough.

Flour: Flour is the primary dry ingredient that forms the base of the cookie dough. It provides structure and texture to the cookies.

Sugar: Sugar sweetens the cookies, making them delicious. It also helps to tenderize the dough and contributes to the cookies’ golden-brown color when baked.

Butter: Butter is a key ingredient for flavor and moisture in cookies. It adds richness and a pleasant, buttery taste. It also helps create a tender texture.

Eggs: Eggs act as a binder, holding the ingredients together. They contribute moisture and structure to the dough. In some cases, eggs can also provide leavening if used in sufficient quantities.

Vanilla: Vanilla extract enhances the flavor of the cookies, giving them a warm, sweet, and aromatic taste. It is a common flavoring agent in many baked goods.

Almond Extract: Almond extract is an optional flavoring that adds a unique nutty and aromatic flavor to the cookies. It complements the sweetness and vanilla flavor.

Chocolate Chips: Chocolate chips are added for flavor and texture. They provide bursts of chocolatey goodness throughout the cookies, making them more delicious. They also add texture and contrast to the cookie dough.

Instructions for making Maurice Lenell Pinwheel Cookies:

This recipe is for 2 batches of cookie dough: one vanilla and one chocolate. MAKE 2 BATCHES OF THE BELOW COOKIE DOUGH for these Maurice Lenell Cookies.

Step 1

  • Measure flour, salt, & baking powder out, set aside
  • Beat butter and sugar with electric mixer until light and fluffy
  • Add eggs, one at a time, beating after each addition
  • Add in almond and vanilla extract
  • Add dry mixture and beat on low until just combined
  • Scrape dough out of mixer and form a ball
  • Split vanilla dough in half, and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes

Step 2:

For Chocolate Layer: Repeat above recipe and then add in chocolate:

  • Melt milk chocolate in microwave on half power checking and stirring every 30 seconds
  • Add melted chocolate into dough, and mix
  • Split dough in half, and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes

Step 3

  • Roll out each ball of dough between parchment paper forming a rectangle, about 1/8 inch thick
  • You will have 2 vanilla, and 2 chocolate rectangles
  • Gently pull top parchment paper off of each of the cookie doughs
  • Lay the chocolate layer on top of the vanilla layer
  • Repeat this with 2nd set of cookie dough
  • Roll each roll into a tight roll (think cinnamon rolls!)
  • Roll one roll in red colored sugar and other in green colored sugar
  • Wrap in plastic wrap and return to refrigerator for at least 30 minutes

Step 4

  • Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees
  • Bring rolls one at a time and re-roll into fresh colored sugar for a double coating!
  • Slice into ¼ inch slices and place on cookie sheet, spacing at least 1 inch apart

Step 5:

  • Bake 8-10 minutes, turning half way thru
  • Cool on cookie sheet for 5 minutes, then cool on a wire cookie rack
  • Keep in a covered container

 

If you are new or experienced to baking you will want to ready this article, that we were featured in:

From Oven to Enterprise: Expert Tips for Home Baking Safety

Red and green and chocolate cookies and milk with red and white straws

Maurice Lenell Pinwheel Cookies

 
 
Prep Time: 1 hour
1 day
Total Time: 1 day 1 hour
Course: cookies
Cuisine: American
Keyword: christmas cookies cookies, maurice lenell, pinwheel cookies
Servings: 72 cookies
Calories: 66kcal
Author: Bruce and Dina Miller

Equipment

  • 1 Sheet pans
  • mixer

Ingredients

  • 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 3 cups flour
  • 1 1/3 cup sugar
  • 1 cup butter softened
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 2 teaspoons almond extract

Add in for the chocolate batch:

  • 4 ounce melted chocolate chips we used milk chocolate, but you can use semi-sweet

Instructions

Note:

  • This recipe is for 2 batches of cookie dough: one vanilla (and one chocolate MAKE 2 BATCHES OF THE BELOW COOKIE DOUGH for these Maurice Lenell Cookies)

Step 1

  • Measure flour, salt, & baking powder out, set aside
  • Beat butter and sugar with electric mixer until light and fluffy
  • Add eggs, one at a time, beating after each addition
  • Add in almond and vanilla extract
  • Add dry mixture and beat on low until just combined
  • Scrape dough out of mixer and form a ball
  • Split vanilla dough in half, and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes

Step 2:

    For Chocolate Layer: Repeat above recipe and then add in chocolate:

    • Melt milk chocolate in microwave on half power checking and stirring every 30 seconds
    • Add melted chocolate into dough, and mix
    • Split dough in half, and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes

    Step 3

    • Roll out each ball of dough between parchment paper forming a rectangle, about 1/8 inch thick
    • You will have 2 vanilla, and 2 chocolate rectangles
    • Gently pull top parchment paper off of each of the cookie doughs
    • Lay the chocolate layer on top of the vanilla layer
    • Repeat this with 2nd set of cookie dough
    • Roll each roll into a tight roll (think cinnamon rolls!)
    • Roll one roll in red colored sugar and other in green colored sugar
    • Wrap in plastic wrap and return to refrigerator for at least 30 minutes

    Step 4

    • Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees
    • Bring rolls one at a time and re-roll into fresh colored sugar for a double coating!
    • Slice into ¼ inch slices and place on cookie sheet, spacing at least 1 inch apart

    Step 5:

    • Bake 8-10 minutes, turning half way thru
    • Cool on cookie sheet for 5 minutes, then cool on a wire cookie rack
    • Keep in a covered container

    Video

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1cookie | Calories: 66kcal | Carbohydrates: 9g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 3g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Trans Fat: 0.1g | Cholesterol: 11mg | Sodium: 41mg | Potassium: 13mg | Fiber: 0.1g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 85IU | Calcium: 5mg | Iron: 0.3mg
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    Dina and Bruce at the Golden Gate Bridge

    Hi, we are Bruce and Dina Miller. We love to cook every night. We enjoy making a few healthy dishes, and also comfort food. We love crafting cocktails too! Come take a look, we would love to share our recipes with you.

    Comments

    1. Pingback:Classic Italian Pizzelle Cookies: My family recipe • Keeping It Simple

    2. Pingback:Tahini Chocolate Chip Cookies with Cassava Flour | Basic Ginger

      • Dina and Bruce at the Golden Gate Bridge

        theperksofbeingus Reply

        Hope you enjoy!

        • P cook Reply

          My favorite cookie from my youth…but…how much chocolate did you add?

          • Dina and Bruce at the Golden Gate Bridge

            theperksofbeingus Reply

            Hello,

            Thank you for your response! We just added that into the recipe: 4 0z. of melted chocolate chips. We used milk chocolate because I like that, but you can use semi sweet! Thank you so much for your time to let us know this! We hope you make the and enjoy them as much as we do! Happy holidays!

            Bruce and Dina

    3. Pam Reply

      WOW! Just made these. Perfect! Thanks for the memories! Merry Christmas

      • Dina and Bruce at the Golden Gate Bridge

        theperksofbeingus Reply

        Pam,

        That is awesome! So glad you like them! They sure bring back memories! Have the best Holiday!!

        Dina and Bruce

    4. Sisley Reply

      5 stars
      I love these cookies. They are so happy and the swirl is beautiful.

    5. Shadi Hasanzadenemati Reply

      5 stars
      I Just tried this recipe and my family loved it. It was so easy and the flavors were fantastic.

    6. Katherine Reply

      5 stars
      These pinwheel cookies taste as good as they look! Thanks for such an awesome recipe.

    7. Toni Reply

      5 stars
      This is seriously amazing! My kids loved these! I can’t wait to make it again!

    8. Jami Reply

      I’m a little confused about amounts and instructions. In Instructions the Note says “make 2 batches of the below cookie dough”.
      Do I make 2 separate batches of the ingredients? (Total 6 cups of flour, 2 cups of butter?)

      • Dina and Bruce at the Golden Gate Bridge

        Bruce and Dina Miller Reply

        Jami,

        Thank you for reaching out. Yes, this recipe makes a big batch, and our mixer can not handle 6 cups of flour. So we make the first, and that is the vanilla. Then we make it again, and stir in the chocolate. If you want a smaller batch, you could just split the single batch into 2 and stir in half amount of chocolate. Let us know if this clears up any questions. We use red and green for Christmast, but you could use red and blue for Summer! Let us know if yo9u have any other questions.

        Thank you,

        Dina and Bruce

    9. Jami Reply

      Thank you for the clarification on the recipe. I can’t wait to try these!

    10. Anjali Reply

      5 stars
      These cookies are so festive and fun! We made a big batch and gave some as gifts to our neighbors and friends!

      • Dina and Bruce at the Golden Gate Bridge

        Bruce and Dina Miller Reply

        Anjali,

        That is what we love to hear!!! Bet the friends loved them!

        Dina and Bruce

    11. Amanda Wren-Grimwood Reply

      5 stars
      What a great cookie and I like the idea of changing the colour scheme for summer or birthdays too.

    12. Tavo Reply

      5 stars
      Your post left me absolutely delighted. From the moment I laid eyes on those perfectly swirled confections, I knew I was in for a treat. The impeccable combination of flavors and textures is simply heavenly. The cookies melt in my mouth, while the delicate crunch adds a delightful surprise. Making them again!

      • Dina and Bruce at the Golden Gate Bridge

        Bruce and Dina Miller Reply

        Tavo,

        Your writing is so delightful! Thank you for your comments!!!

        Dina and Bruce

    13. Dannii Reply

      5 stars
      These were so fun to make. My kids loved them too.

    14. Ella Reply

      5 stars
      Absolutely delicious and so cute too. We loved them.

    15. Caroline Reply

      5 stars
      These cookies both look adorable and taste great – I love the contrasting layers.

    16. Liza Reply

      5 stars
      These pinwheel cookies are a delightful blend of artistry and taste! The swirls of vibrant colors not only make them visually appealing, but the combination of flavors is really yummy, too.

    17. Sara Welch Reply

      5 stars
      These were everything a gourmet cookie should be, and then some! Turned out perfectly swirled, sweet and delicious!

    18. Kim Reply

      5 stars
      These are pure nostalgia! Reminds me of cherished moments and the delightful taste of my childhood. The perfect blend of memories and sweetness in every bite.

    19. Anjali Reply

      5 stars
      These cookies are so fun and festive!! They’ll make a perfect addition to the holiday cookie basket I make for Christmas every year!

    20. Sharon Reply

      5 stars
      What a fun and festive looking cookie to make. I didn’t know about Maurice Lenell cookies, that must be so sad for their fans in Chicago and beyond!

      • Dina and Bruce at the Golden Gate Bridge

        Bruce and Dina Miller Reply

        Sharon,

        Very sad. So we love when people find our recipe and can remember this family bakery!

        Dina and Bruce

    21. Carrie Robinson Reply

      5 stars
      What a fun cookie idea! These would be so perfect for the holidays. 🙂

      • Holley Reply

        5 stars
        I made these with the kids over the weekend and was lots of fun! Super delicious and I will definitely make again soon!

    22. Gianne Reply

      5 stars
      The combination of flavors and the perfect texture made them impossible to resist. They were a hit with my family and friends!

    23. Kechi Reply

      5 stars
      They look so fancy and gorgeous with these colors; love that they are easy to make too! Perfect holiday project my kids!

      • Dina and Bruce at the Golden Gate Bridge

        Bruce and Dina Miller Reply

        Kechi,

        Thank you. And we are so happy to share this recipe with you.

        Dina and Bruce

    24. Sara Peterson Reply

      Can the prepared cookie dough rolls be frozen and then sliced and baked later?

      • Dina and Bruce at the Golden Gate Bridge

        Bruce and Dina Miller Reply

        Sara,

        Absolutely! Seal in plastic wrap, then in a freezer bag. Be sure to thaw overnight in the fridge before you slice and bake.

        Dina and Bruce

    25. Elaine & James Reply

      5 stars
      These are the prettiest Christmas cookies! Excited to make them!

      • Dina and Bruce at the Golden Gate Bridge

        Bruce and Dina Miller Reply

        Elaine and James,

        Thank you. They are a holiday tradition over here!

        Dina and Bruce

    26. MacKenzie Reply

      5 stars
      These pinwheel cookies are fantastic. The simple steps make them look super easy to make and I cannot wait to make them for my next cookie exchange.

    27. Sara Welch Reply

      5 stars
      Whipped up a batch of these for an afternoon treat, and they do not disappoint! Fun, festive and delicious; the perfect holiday treat, indeed!

    28. Andrea Reply

      5 stars
      What a fun and festive cookie for the Holidays. They will be the perfect addition to my cookie tray.

    29. Shadi Reply

      5 stars
      This was amazing and such a treat! Thank you! Everyone in my family loved it.

    30. Alison Corey Reply

      Maurice Lenell Pinwheel Cookies are a holiday favorite, and this recipe brings them to life with perfection! The layers are flaky, the filling is sweet, and the overall taste is nothing short of heavenly. Bravo!

    31. Caroline Reply

      5 stars
      I love how pretty and festive these cookies look, and the flavors work so well too.

    32. Michaela Reply

      5 stars
      These are adorable and delicious! I love that you roll them in festive colored sprinkles. They are a perfect Holiday treat.

      • Dina and Bruce at the Golden Gate Bridge

        Bruce and Dina Miller Reply

        Michaela,

        Thank you. They were Bruce’s fav growing up. He makes them every year!!

        Dina and Bruce

    33. Sharon Reply

      5 stars
      These classic pinwheels are going in the Christmas cookie gift box for family and friends, they are going to love this classic treat.

    34. Lima Ekram Reply

      5 stars
      Such a fun idea! Can’t wait to make this for my party!

    35. Laura S Reply

      Are these crunchy or soft when done and cooled?
      How do you know when they are done baking?

      • Dina and Bruce at the Golden Gate Bridge

        Bruce and Dina Miller Reply

        Laura,

        As far as to know if they are done if they are firm to the touch (finger does not indent) and a very light brown ring. When stored in an airtight container these have a slightly soft center but are firm/crunchy on the outside. I hope this answers your questions. Let us know.

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