Aunt Ruth'S Pinwheel Cookies
Delightful pinwheel cookies with a peanut butter and chocolate flavor combination, perfect for sharing at parties or enjoying as a sweet treat with coffee or tea.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Cream together sugar, brown sugar, shortening, peanut butter, and egg.
- Sift together flour, salt, and baking soda, then add to the creamed mixture.
- Pat the dough down on greased wax paper.
- Melt chocolate chips and pour over the dough.
- Roll up the dough and chill for 30 minutes or more.
- Slice the chilled dough into cookies.
- Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 10 minutes.
Tips & Substitutions
For a richer flavor, consider using unsweetened cocoa powder mixed in with the flour for a chocolate variation. If you're out of shortening, butter can be a great substitute, though it may slightly alter the texture. If you're not a peanut butter fan, try almond or cashew butter instead. Ensure your chocolate chips are melted gently to avoid burning.
Serving Suggestions
These pinwheel cookies make a delightful treat on their own or can be served with a cold glass of milk. They also pair beautifully with *Holly Leaf Clusters for a festive dessert platter. For a fun twist, serve them alongside a scoop of vanilla ice cream for an indulgent dessert.
Storage & Reheating
Store leftover pinwheel cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. For longer storage, freeze the sliced cookies between layers of wax paper in a freezer-safe bag. When ready to enjoy, bake directly from frozen for about 12-14 minutes or thaw and bake as usual.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Aunt Ruth'S Pinwheel Cookies contains roughly 207 calories, with 3g protein, 13g carbohydrates, and 17g fat. Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 573mg per serving (25% of the Daily Value).
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use natural peanut butter instead of regular peanut butter?
Yes, you can use natural peanut butter, but keep in mind it can be more runny. You might want to slightly reduce the amount or add a bit more flour to maintain the dough's consistency. Natural peanut butter has less sugar, which will alter the sweetness of the cookies.
What can I do if my dough is too sticky?
If your dough becomes too sticky to handle, try chilling it in the refrigerator for 15-30 minutes. This will firm it up and make it easier to roll out. Alternatively, you can dust your work surface and hands with a bit of flour to help manage the stickiness.
Can I add nuts or other mix-ins to the dough?
Absolutely! Chopped nuts like walnuts or pecans can add a nice crunch to the cookies. You could also add dried fruit or other chocolate varieties for a twist. Just make sure to adjust the overall quantity to keep the dough balanced.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).