Every year when the air gets crisp and the holiday music starts playing, my kitchen turns into a festive sugar cookie workshop. These Christmas Sugar Cookie Rolls are my latest favorite tradition because they combine the buttery sweetness of a classic cookie with the beautiful look of a swirl pastry. I love how the bright holiday colors peek through every slice, making them an instant hit for any dessert exchange or cozy morning by the tree.

Recipe Details

Recipe Information

Prep Time: 30 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 40 minutes
Servings: 24 cookies
Difficulty: Medium

Nutrition Information (Per Serving)

Calories: 165
Protein: 2g
Carbs: 23g
Fat: 7g

Why You’ll Love Christmas Sugar Cookie Rolls

These Christmas Sugar Cookie Rolls offer a delightful twist on the traditional cutout cookie. Instead of spending hours with cookie cutters, you create a beautiful spiral effect that looks incredibly professional with much less effort. The soft, buttery texture of the dough pairs perfectly with a sweet cream cheese filling, making them much more decadent than a standard sugar cookie. Plus, they are highly customizable, allowing you to use whatever festive colors or sprinkles you have on hand to match your holiday theme.

Christmas Sugar Cookie Rolls Ingredients & Substitutions

3 cups all purpose flour
1 cup unsalted butter, softened
1 cup granulated sugar
1 large egg, room temperature
2 teaspoons alcohol-free vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
4 ounces cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup powdered sugar
1/2 cup festive Christmas sprinkles or colored sugar

For a lighter version, you can replace the cream cheese filling with a thin layer of fruit jam or preserves. If you do not have alcohol-free vanilla extract, almond extract provides a lovely nutty aroma that works perfectly for the holidays. You can also swap the all purpose flour for a 1:1 gluten free flour blend if you are baking for guests with specific needs, though the texture may be slightly more crumbly.

Step-by-Step Instructions to Make Christmas Sugar Cookie Rolls

Step 1: Cream the Butter and Sugar

In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened unsalted butter and granulated sugar together until the mixture is light and fluffy. This usually takes about two to three minutes of high speed mixing. Add the egg and the alcohol-free vanilla extract, continuing to beat until everything is fully incorporated and smooth.

Step 2: Mix the Dry Ingredients

In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the all purpose flour, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet butter mixture, mixing on low speed until a soft dough forms. Be careful not to overwork the dough, as this can make the cookies tough instead of tender.

Step 3: Prepare the Filling

In a small bowl, blend the softened cream cheese and powdered sugar together until the mixture is creamy and free of lumps. If you want an extra pop of color, you can add a tiny drop of food coloring to this filling to match your holiday sprinkles.

Step 4: Roll and Spread

Place the dough between two sheets of parchment paper and roll it out into a large rectangle about a quarter inch thick. Remove the top sheet of parchment and spread the cream cheese mixture evenly across the dough, leaving a small border at the edges. Generously scatter your festive sprinkles over the cream cheese layer.

Step 5: Roll into a Log

Starting from one of the long edges, carefully roll the dough into a tight log using the bottom parchment paper to help guide your movements. Once rolled, wrap the log tightly in plastic wrap and place it in the refrigerator for at least one hour. This chilling step is essential for getting clean slices.

Step 6: Slice and Bake

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Remove the chilled dough log and use a sharp knife to cut it into half inch thick slices. Place the slices on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, leaving two inches of space between them. Bake for 9 to 11 minutes or until the edges are just barely set, then let them cool on the pan for five minutes before moving to a wire rack.

Tips for Success

To ensure your Christmas Sugar Cookie Rolls come out perfectly, make sure your butter and cream cheese are truly at room temperature before you start. This prevents lumps and ensures a smooth dough and filling. When rolling the log, try to keep it as tight as possible to avoid air gaps in your finished spirals. If the dough becomes too soft while you are working with it, simply pop it back into the fridge for ten minutes to firm up. Finally, use a very sharp, thin knife or even a piece of unflavored dental floss to slice the log, which helps maintain the round shape without squishing the dough.

Variations of Christmas Sugar Cookie Rolls

You can easily adapt this recipe for different tastes by changing the filling or the dough. Try adding a tablespoon of cocoa powder to half the dough for a chocolate and vanilla marble effect. For a citrus twist, add fresh orange zest to the sugar cookie base and use cranberry jam as the filling. If you love a bit of crunch, finely chopped pecans or walnuts can be sprinkled inside the roll along with the sugar and cinnamon for a nuttier flavor profile.

Serving Suggestions: What to Pair with Christmas Sugar Cookie Rolls

These cookies are wonderful when served alongside a steaming mug of hot cocoa topped with marshmallows. They also pair beautifully with a cold glass of milk for a classic snack. If you are serving them at a holiday party, arrange them on a platter with fresh rosemary sprigs and small bowls of pomegranate seeds for a sophisticated, festive look. They even make a great companion to a spicy herbal tea or a warm apple cider during a late-night gift-wrapping session.

Storage & Reheating Instructions

Store your finished cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to three days. For longer freshness, keep them in the refrigerator for up to one week. If you want to prep ahead, the unbaked dough log can be frozen for up to two months, just wrap it in several layers of plastic wrap and foil. When you are ready to bake, let the log thaw slightly in the fridge until it is soft enough to slice, then bake as directed. You can enjoy them chilled or at room temperature, as they do not typically require reheating.

Memories Made Around the Table

I still remember the first time I made these with my grandmother in her tiny, flour dusted kitchen. We would compete to see who could get the tightest spiral, and the house would smell like sweet butter and vanilla for hours. Now, when I make them with my own family, those same smells bring back all the warmth of those childhood winters. Seeing the kids’ eyes light up when we slice into the log to reveal the hidden colors is a magic that never gets old.

FAQs

Can I make the dough in advance?

Yes, you can prepare the dough and roll it into the log up to two days before you plan to bake. Just keep it tightly wrapped in the refrigerator to prevent it from drying out. This makes it a great option for busy holiday schedules.

Why did my cookie rolls spread too much in the oven?

This usually happens if the dough is too warm when it goes into the oven. Make sure you chill the log thoroughly for at least one hour. If your kitchen is very warm, you might even want to chill the individual slices on the baking sheet for ten minutes before sliding them into the oven.

Can I use store bought sugar cookie dough for this?

You can use store bought dough in a pinch, but you may need to mix in a small amount of extra flour to make it sturdy enough to roll. Keep in mind that homemade dough usually holds its shape better for the spiral effect than refrigerated tubes from the store.

How do I keep the sprinkles from bleeding into the dough?

Use high quality jimmies or sanding sugar rather than nonpareils, the tiny round balls, as the round ones tend to bleed their color much faster when they touch moisture. Chilling the dough quickly after rolling also helps keep the colors crisp.

Do I need to grease the baking sheet?

It is best to use parchment paper or a silicone baking mat instead of grease. Greasing the pan can actually encourage the cookies to spread more than they should, while parchment paper provides a nice grip and ensures they do not stick.

Final Thoughts

These Christmas Sugar Cookie Rolls are a beautiful and delicious way to celebrate the holiday season. They offer the perfect balance of a soft cookie and a creamy filling, all wrapped up in a festive presentation that everyone will admire. Whether you are gifting them to neighbors or enjoying them with your family, these treats are sure to become a staple in your holiday baking repertoire. Enjoy the process of creating these sweet swirls and the joy they bring to your holiday table.

Christmas Sugar Cookie Rolls

Print Recipe

Total Time: 40 minutes

Ingredients

3 cups all purpose flour
1 cup unsalted butter, softened
1 cup granulated sugar
1 large egg, room temperature
2 teaspoons alcohol-free vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
4 ounces cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup powdered sugar
1/2 cup festive Christmas sprinkles or colored sugar

Instructions

In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened unsalted butter and granulated sugar together until the mixture is light and fluffy. This usually takes about two to three minutes of high speed mixing. Add the egg and the alcohol-free vanilla extract, continuing to beat until everything is fully incorporated and smooth.
In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the all purpose flour, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet butter mixture, mixing on low speed until a soft dough forms. Be careful not to overwork the dough, as this can make the cookies tough instead of tender.
In a small bowl, blend the softened cream cheese and powdered sugar together until the mixture is creamy and free of lumps. If you want an extra pop of color, you can add a tiny drop of food coloring to this filling to match your holiday sprinkles.
Place the dough between two sheets of parchment paper and roll it out into a large rectangle about a quarter inch thick. Remove the top sheet of parchment and spread the cream cheese mixture evenly across the dough, leaving a small border at the edges. Generously scatter your festive sprinkles over the cream cheese layer.
Starting from one of the long edges, carefully roll the dough into a tight log using the bottom parchment paper to help guide your movements. Once rolled, wrap the log tightly in plastic wrap and place it in the refrigerator for at least one hour. This chilling step is essential for getting clean slices.
Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Remove the chilled dough log and use a sharp knife to cut it into half inch thick slices. Place the slices on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, leaving two inches of space between them. Bake for 9 to 11 minutes or until the edges are just barely set, then let them cool on the pan for five minutes before moving to a wire rack.

Cook Time: 40 minutes
Diet: Vegetarian