Whirligig Cookies Recipes

CHOCOLATE AND PISTACHIO WHILIGIG BUNS

Steps:

• To prepare the dough, heat oven to 450 degrees.
• In a large bowl, combine 5 cups flour, sugar, salt and yeast.
• In a small saucepan, combine 7 1/2 tablespoons butter and the milk, and place over low heat until lukewarm.
• In a medium bowl, beat eggs lightly, and then whisk in milk mixture.
• Stir the liquid ingredients into dry ingredients.
• Using a mixer with a dough hook, or by hand, knead dough until smooth and springy, adding more flour if necessary.
• Form into a ball, and place in an oiled bowl.
• Cover with plastic wrap, and let rise in a warm place until double in size, about 30 minutes.
• Punch down dough.
• Line a 13-by-10-inch baking pan with parchment paper.
• On a lightly floured surface, roll out one-third of the dough, and place in pan.
• Roll out remaining dough to a rectangle about 20 by 10 inches.
• To make filling, mix together the butter and sugar to make a paste.
• Spread paste evenly over large rectangle of dough.
• Chop pistachios until splintery, and sprinkle evenly over dough.
• Top with chocolate chips.
• Starting from longest side, carefully roll up dough so it looks like a long sausage.
• Cut dough into 20 slices, each 3/8 inch thick, and arrange with a cut side up on top of dough in pan.
• Brush buns with beaten egg, and let them sit in a warm place until puffed up and snugly filling pan, about 15 minutes.
• Bake until buns are risen and golden brown, 20 to 25 minutes.
• Remove from baking pan to cool on a rack.
• Serve warm.
• Makes 20 buns.

EASY GUMDROP WHIRLIGIGS

Steps:

• Heat oven to 350 F. Remove half of cookie dough from wrapper; refrigerate remaining dough until needed. On lightly floured surface with rolling pin, roll half of dough into 9-inch square (make edges square with side of ruler). Cut into 9 (3-inch) squares; place on ungreased large cookie sheet.
• With sharp knife or fluted pastry wheel, cut each square from each corner almost to center, leaving about 1 inch uncut in center. Place wooden stick on each square with one end in center. Fold alternate corners of square over, pressing in center. Place gumdrop half in center to resemble button. Sprinkle whirligigs with red and/or green sugar. Repeat with remaining half of dough.
• Bake 9 to 11 minutes or until golden brown. Cool 1 minute; remove from cookie sheet and place on wire racks. Cool completely, about 15 minutes.