Learn how to make pinwheel cookies with my step-by-step photos. Soft and chewy cookies filled with sweet and fruity filling and crunchy nuts.
The more I blog, the more I fall in love with it, specifically with the blogging community. There are so many talented people out there, and this blogging thing is one of the ways to connect with them. I just love it!
This year, I participated in Food Blogger Cookie Swap for the first time. Whopping 566 bloggers signed up for it from 7 countries and raised over $12,000, including matching contribution from sponsors, for Cookies for Kids’ Cancer. Each participant sent and received 3 dozens cookies to/from 3 different bloggers last week. What an incredibly fun event? As much as I love my mails from Sephora, I have to say, homemade cookies in the mail are hands down the best kind of mail!
I made these festive pinwheel cookies for this cookie swap. These are my family’s favorite. My husband said that his dad and uncle commented that it’s very similar to what their grandmother used to bake. Now, that’s a compliment!
Pinwheel cookies are one of my favorite cookies as well. Filled with sweet fruity filling and crunchy nuts, these cookies are so flavorful, soft and chewy. Everything I love in cookies. Instead of focusing just on figs, or dates, I decided to use a combination of dates, figs and cranberries. Sticky sweet dates, slightly crunchy dried figs and fresh and tangy cranberries meld into one deliciously sweet filling. (<– My husband loves to eat it by spoonful!) I also added beautiful green pistachios for pop of color and walnuts for texture. These cookies are definitely a crowd-pleaser!
When you read the recipe, you’ll find that there are a lot of chilling is required. It’s because the cookie dough is very sticky and soft, and chilling really helps to work with it.
As most cookies, these ones freeze pretty well. Perfect to keep in the freezer during busy holiday season, when you never know when you need a batch of cookies.
I snapped a quick photo before mailing my cookies to my three matches. I hope they enjoyed them as much as we did.

Date, Fig and Cranberry Pinwheel Cookies
Ingredients
For dough:
- ½ cup 113g unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 2 large eggs at room temperature
- 2 ½ cups 315g all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
For filling:
- ½ cup 50gr fresh cranberries
- ½ cup 85gr dried figs
- ½ cup 70gr dates
- ½ cup 100gr sugar
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup walnuts. chopped
- ½ cup shelled pistachios chopped
Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl with paddle attachment, or using an electric hand mixer, beat the butter and brown sugar until fluffy, about 3 minutes. Add the eggs one at a time, and mix until well combined. Stir in flour and salt and mix just until just combined. The dough will be quite sticky and it’s normal. Divide the dough into two equal parts and wrap in plastic wrap. Flatten into a square and refrigerate for at least an hour, or overnight.
- While the dough is chilling, let’s make the filling. First, remove the stems of the dried figs. Place cranberries, dates and stemmed dried figs and process until finely chopped, a minute or two. (Warning! The processor will be a little jumpy, since dried figs and dates are quite sticky.) In a medium saucepan, combine the chopped fruits, sugar, salt and ½ cup of water. Bring it to a boil over medium high heat. Then reduce the heat and cook until the mixture thickens, stirring occasionally, about 8-10 minutes. Stir in chopped nuts and cool completely.
- Now, once the cookie dough is chilled, it’ll be easier to work with. Unwrap the dough on floured surface and roll into 14x11in (35x28cm) rectangle. Spread half of the fruit filling evenly over the dough and roll it from the short end into tight log. Do the same thing with the other half of dough and filling. Wrap the logs with plastic wrap again and chill for another 30 minutes, or overnight.
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Then cut the log into ¼-inch-thick (0.5cm) disks and place the cookies at least an inch apart on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, or silicone mat. If the rolls are flattened on one side, just gently squash it to form into a round. Bake for 15 minutes. Cool the cookies on the sheets for 3-5 minutes and transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Rosann says
These cookies were Garrat’s Grandma’s favorite Christmas cookie minus the cranberries. Â I’m going to have to make your version for Christmas this year. Â Thanks for the recipe.
Shinee says
You’re welcome, Rosann. It’s funny you commented on this post, as I had just baked these cookies couple days ago and we’ve been snacking on them lately. 🙂
Elaine says
If fresh cranberries are unavailable, would frozen or dried ones work instead?
Shinee says
You might be able to use frozen ones, but I’m afraid dried cranberries won’t work. Have fun baking!
[email protected] Eats says
Love this!! Pinwheel cookies – these are gorgeous AND so festive!!
Shinee says
Thanks so much, Nagi!
Dorothy @ Crazy for Crust says
I would never have thought to mix these ingredients together, but now I want to. They look fantastic. Pinned!
Shinee says
Thanks, Dorothy! The flavors meld together real good. 🙂
Jocelyn (Grandbaby cakes) says
These pinwheel cookies are absolutely incredible!
Shinee says
Thank you, Jocelyn!
Karyn says
Thanks so much for my cookies! I loved them and ate them all myself! The filling was so yummy! I’ve added the link to your post in my post 🙂 Hooray for Cookies!
Shinee says
Awesome, I’m so glad to hear you loved them, Karyn! Thank you for the shout as well! Cheers!
Ashley | The Recipe Rebel says
These pinwheel cookies are SO pretty — and I love that filling! I participated in the cookie swap too — so much fun!
Shinee says
Thank you, Ashley! 🙂 I bet you got some yummy cookies too. 🙂
mira says
These pinwheel cookies look amazing! Love the combination of flavors! Perfect for the holidays!
Shinee says
Thanks, Mira!
Thalia @ butter and brioche says
Not only do these cookies look festive and delicious.. but they are so beautifully presented too Shinee! I know that I would LOVE to receive these as a gift.
Shinee says
Thanks so much, Thalia! You’re so kind. 🙂
Nora @ Savory Nothings says
Those cookies look so festive and delicious Shinee! Love them!!
Shinee says
Thanks so much, Nora!
Alice @ Hip Foodie Mom says
Oh, I love these cookies!!! so pretty. . I participated in Food Blogger Cookie Swap last year and didn’t manage my time wisely enough for this year. . I love it though, for such a great cause!!! love love love these pinwheel cookies. . and love seeing the bright specks of shelled pistachios, my fave!!
Shinee says
Yes, such a great cause and so exciting for us participants. Thank you, Alice, for stopping by and kind compliments. 🙂