Introduction

Cream Cheese Jam Pinwheel Cookies are tender, flaky treats with a delightful swirl of sweet jam inside. These charming cookies combine the richness of cream cheese with the bright flavor of your favorite fruit preserves, making them perfect for tea time or special occasions.

The image shows several round cookies with two distinct layers. The bottom layer is light golden brown and crumbly, forming a firm base. The top layer is a shiny, deep red jam spiraled in a swirl pattern from the center outward, giving it a soft, spread texture. The entire cookie is dusted lightly with white powdered sugar, adding a fine, powdery texture on top. The cookies are placed closely together on a white marbled surface, and the overall look is neat and appetizing. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

1 cup unsalted butter, softened
4 oz cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup jam (your choice of flavor, such as raspberry, strawberry, or apricot)
Optional: Powdered sugar for dusting

Instructions

Step 1: In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter, cream cheese, and sugar until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Add the vanilla extract and mix until combined.
Step 2: In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour and salt. Gradually add the flour mixture to the butter mixture, mixing until a soft dough forms.
Step 3: Divide the dough in half and shape each half into a disk. Wrap each disk in plastic wrap and chill in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes.
Step 4: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
Step 5: On a lightly floured surface or between sheets of parchment paper, roll out one disk of dough into a 12×10-inch rectangle. Spread a thin layer of jam over the dough, leaving a small border around the edges.
Step 6: Carefully roll the dough into a log, starting from one long side. Wrap the log in plastic wrap and chill for another 15-20 minutes to firm up. Repeat with the second disk of dough.
Step 7: Slice the chilled dough into 1/4-inch thick rounds and place them on the prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart. Bake for 12-15 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden.
Step 8: Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheets for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. Dust with powdered sugar if desired.

Tips & Variations

Use a flavored jam that complements the buttery dough, such as raspberry for tartness or apricot for a mild sweetness.
Chill the dough logs well before slicing to get clean, even pinwheel shapes.
For added texture, sprinkle finely chopped nuts over the jam layer before rolling.
If you prefer a less sweet cookie, reduce the sugar by a tablespoon or two.

Storage

Store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. They can also be frozen for up to 2 months; thaw at room temperature before serving. To refresh slightly crisp texture, warm cookies in a low oven for a few minutes.

How to Serve

The image shows close-up views of several small, round pastries arranged tightly together on a white marbled surface. Each pastry consists of delicate golden-brown layers of soft dough spiraled around a thick, dark red jam filling, creating a visible swirl pattern. The outer edges of the dough are slightly puffed and flaky, while the jam layer in the center looks glossy and smooth. A light dusting of white powdered sugar is sprinkled on top, adding a fine texture contrast across both the dough and jam. The overall look is warm and inviting with clearly defined layers of dough and filling in each pastry. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use refrigerated dough instead of making the dough from scratch?

These cookies rely on the cream cheese in the dough for their tender texture and flavor, so using pre-made dough won’t give the same results. It’s best to make the dough fresh as directed.

What type of jam works best for these cookies?

Choose your favorite flavor! Raspberry, strawberry, and apricot jams are popular choices because their sweetness and acidity balance the rich dough well, but feel free to experiment with other fruit preserves.