Learn how to make this easy classic holiday appetizer recipe.
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Looking for an easy Christmas appetizer? This post is all about how to make cranberry pinwheels.
If you’re looking for a holiday appetizer that is festive, delicious, and a breeze to make, look no further than cranberry pinwheels with cream cheese. This classic favorite combines a blend of cream cheese (and feta or goat cheese!), dried cranberries, and nuts, all rolled up in a soft tortilla for a perfect holiday bite.
These tortilla pinwheels with cranberries are easy to make, look great on a party platter, and are endlessly customizable. Whether you go with a cranberry feta pinwheels recipe or try a cranberry pecan cream cheese pinwheels version (you can customize the rolls as you like!), they’re a guaranteed crowd pleaser.
With options like ranch cranberry cream cheese pinwheels, cranberry goat cheese pinwheels, and more, there’s a combo for everyone’s taste! In this post, we’ll cover how to make cranberry pinwheels, plus tips on customizing cranberry cream cheese pinwheels for your crowd.
—In This Post—
- What Are Cranberry Pinwheels?
- Why Are Cranberry Pinwheels So Popular?
- Reasons to Love Cranberry Pinwheels
- Cranberry Pinwheels Ingredients
- How to Make Cranberry Pinwheels
- Cranberry Pinwheels Variations
- Tips for Making the Best Cranberry Pinwheels
- Keeping the Pinwheels Rolled Up
- Storing Cranberry Pinwheels
- Serving Suggestions
- Recipe: Cranberry Pinwheels with Cream Cheese
What Exactly Are Cranberry Cream Cheese Pinwheels?
Cranberry cream cheese pinwheels are little rolled up tortilla wraps that are filled with a creamy, flavorful spread, often featuring ingredients like cream cheese and goat cheese (or feta, if you like), dried cranberries, green onions, and sometimes chopped pecans or walnuts.
You spread the filling across a tortilla, roll it up—wrapped in plastic wrap to hold it together, chill, then slice it into bite sized pinwheels that are perfect for snacking. They’re not only delicious; they also add a festive touch with the cranberry red and green onions that feel very holiday ready for this easy Christmas appetizer recipe.
Why Are Cranberry Pinwheels So Popular for the Holidays?
Cranberry pinwheels have all the flavors and colors that just say “the holidays” (hello, red cranberries and green onions!). The sweet tart cranberries, creamy cheeses, and the crunch of pecans or walnuts make for a balanced, flavorful bite.
Plus, cranberry pinwheels with cream cheese are a great make ahead appetizer—just chill, slice, and serve! You can make them up to a day ahead of time to make sure you have plenty for your party.
Cranberry pinwheels are also easy to adapt: you can make cranberry goat cheese pinwheels for a tangy twist, or try a ranch cranberry cream cheese pinwheels recipe for a savory touch, for example. In short, they’re festive, flexible, and fantastic for any holiday get together—including Christmas and New Year’s Eve.
Reasons to Love Cranberry Pinwheels
Here’s a list of reasons to love cranberry pinwheels——the perfect appetizer for any almost holiday party.
- Cranberry pinwheels have festive flavors. Sweet, savory, and a little tangy—all the holiday flavors come together in every bite of cranberry pinwheels.
- They’re easy to make. Just mix, roll, chill, and slice the pinwheels. No cooking required!
- Cranberry pinwheels are make ahead friendly. Prepare cranberry cream cheese rolls in advance, and then slice them when you’re ready to serve.
- Perfect for sharing. Pinwheels are bite sized, so guests can easily grab one and keep mingling.
Cranberry pinwheels are pretty much the ultimate holiday appetizer—easy, tasty, and sure to impress. They’re quick and easy to make, too—and they store well overnight.
Cranberry Pinwheels Ingredients
Here are the ingredients that you need to make quick and easy cranberry pinwheels.
- Flour Tortillas (4 large). Flour tortillas form the base of the pinwheels, holding all those deliciously sweet and savory flavors together. Go for the 10 inch size flour tortillas, so that you get nice, large pinwheels.
- Cream Cheese (8 oz). This creamy cheese base helps everything stick together, and it also adds a smooth, mild flavor.
- Goat Cheese (4 oz). Goat cheese a tangy twist that makes these extra flavorful and a bit more interesting than regular pinwheels.
- Feta Cheese (4 oz.). You can also use feta cheese—instead of goat cheese—if you prefer a milder flavor.
- Dried Cranberries (1/3 cup). Dried cranberries bring a hint of sweetness, chewy texture, and bright red color that’s perfect for the holidays.
- Chopped Walnuts or Pecans (¼ cup). Chopped walnuts add crunch and a little nutty depth to the pinwheels that helps to balance the sweetness of the cranberries.
- Green Onions (2 stalks). Use the green parts of the onion for a mild, oniony flavor that doesn’t overpower the rest of the ingredients. For less onion flavor, leave the green onions out.
- Garlic Powder (½ tsp). Garlic powder adds a hint of savory garlic flavor without needing fresh garlic.
- Onion Powder (½ tsp). Onion powder complements the green onions and garlic powder for an extra savory boost.
- Ranch Seasoning (1 to 2 tsp, optional). Ranch seasoning gives the pinwheels an irresistible, extra tangy flavor. Add some if you love tangy, slightly sour, flavor.
- Honey (1 to 2 tsp). Honey balances out the tang of the goat cheese and seasonings with a touch of sweetness.
- Salt (¼ tsp). Salt helps to bring out the flavors of the other ingredients.
How to Make Cranberry Pinwheels with Cream Cheese
Cranberry pinwheels are such an easy appetizer to make that you’ll want to make them for all of your parties. Here is how to do it:
1—Make the cream cheese filling.
First, make the filling by blending the cream cheese and goat cheese (or feta cheese, if you prefer) with the garlic powder, onion powder, ranch seasoning (optional) honey, and salt until the mixture is smooth.
Stir in the dried cranberries, chopped nuts, and green onions, making sure that everything is evenly combined.
2—Assemble the tortilla rolls.
Next, divide the cream cheese filling into fourths. Lay out each tortilla and spread a quarter (one fourth) of the cream cheese filling evenly over each one.
Roll up the tortillas tightly, wrap them in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for a few hours to let the flavors blend and firm up the rolls. This can be a good recipe to make in the morning or the night before to give the cranberry tortilla rolls time to rest.
3—Slice the cranberry pinwheels.
After the cranberry pinwheels have had a few hours to rest, remove them from the refrigerator, and place them on a cutting board.
Slice the rolls into bite sized pinwheels and arrange them on a food platter or cutting board to serve. Cranberry pinwheels make a great addition to appetizer spreads and breakfast boards for everything from brunch to movie night and dinner.
Cranberry pinwheels make an easy appetizer that is perfect for sharing at any holiday gathering!
Cranberry Pinwheels Variations to Try
Here are some fun variations to try—including adding feta cheese and ranch dressing mix to cranberry cream cheese pinwheels. These easy swaps let you put your own twist on cranberry pinwheels and keep things interesting for your holiday guests!
- Cranberry Feta Pinwheels. Swap the goat cheese for crumbled feta cheese to add a salty, tangy twist that pairs perfectly with the sweet cranberries.
- Ranch Cranberry Cream Cheese Pinwheels. Mix 1 to 2 teaspoons of ranch seasoning into the cream cheese for an herby, savory flavor.
- Cranberry Walnut Pinwheels. Use walnuts instead of pecans for a nuttier, slightly more robust flavor.
- Spicy Cranberry Pinwheels. Add a pinch of cayenne pepper or a tablespoon of diced jalapeño peppers to the filling for a little kick that balances the sweetness.
- Herb Cranberry Goat Cheese Pinwheels. Stir a tablespoon or two of fresh chopped herbs like parsley, chives, or rosemary into the cream cheese filling for an earthy, festive flavor.
Tips for Making the Best Cranberry Pinwheels
Here are some tips to make your cranberry pinwheels taste extra delicious in a few simple steps.
- Use softened cheese. Make sure the cream cheese and goat cheese are softened to room temperature. This makes them easier to blend and helps everything spread smoothly.
- Chop the ingredients finely. Dice the cranberries, nuts, and green onions into small pieces so that the filling spreads evenly and each bite has a balanced mix of flavors.
- Use green tortilla wraps. If you can find them, green spinach tortilla wraps are perfect for making Christmas appetizers with cream cheese and cranberry rolls, but any type of flour tortilla works just as well.
- Roll the wraps tightly. When spreading the filling, leave about half an inch at the edges, then roll each tortilla tightly to help hold the shape.
- Chill before slicing. Let the rolled tortillas chill in the refrigerator for at least an hour. This firms them up, making them easier to slice and keeping the filling in place.
Tips for Keeping the Cranberry Roll Ups Sealed
To keep your pinwheels from unrolling, make sure to roll the tortillas tightly around the filling and wrap each roll tightly in plastic wrap before placing the cranberry tortilla rolls in the refrigerator to chill.
The chill step is key—it helps the cream cheese mixture to “set,” acting like a glue to hold everything together. When slicing, don’t go too thin; about ¾ to 1 inch thick slices are just right for holding their shape.
Storing Cranberry Pinwheels
To keep your cranberry pinwheels fresh, wrap the whole rolled up tortillas tightly in plastic wrap before slicing them.
Store the cranberry tortilla rolls in an airtight container or on a plate covered with plastic wrap in the refrigerator. This helps prevent them from drying out and keeps them fresh for up to 2 to 3 days (the texture of the rolls is generally best when eaten within a day of preparing them, however).
When you’re ready to serve, just slice them into pinwheels and arrange them on a platter.
Serving Suggestions
Arrange the pinwheels on a festive platter with some extra cranberries and herbs sprinkled around for color. They’re great when paired with a holiday cheese board, a spread of fresh veggies, or alongside a few appetizer dips for variety.
If you’re feeling fancy, garnish each pinwheel with a small sprig of fresh herbs like parsley or chives to make them look extra festive and appealing. With their savory flavors and festive colors, cranberry pinwheels are sure to be a popular appetizer at many parties!
Recipe: Cranberry Cream Cheese Pinwheels
You’re going to love these cranberry cream cheese pinwheels—they’re perfect for holiday parties and really easy to make. This recipe is loaded with holiday flavors, takes almost no time to pull together, and will make you look like a total pro in the kitchen.
Cranberry pinwheels are such a hit because they bring together creamy, tangy, sweet, and savory flavors all in one bite! They’re also super portable and easy to serve.
Cranberry Cream Cheese Pinwheels
Ingredients
- 4 large flour tortillas 10 inch size
- 8 oz cream cheese softened
- 4 oz goat cheese or feta cheese softened
- 1/3 cup dried cranberries chopped into small pieces
- 1/4 cup chopped walnuts or pecans
- 2 green onions finely diced, just the green parts, or omit for a milder flavor
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp onion powder
- 1 to 2 tsp ranch seasoning blend optional
- 1 to 2 tsp honey more if you like it sweet, less if you don’t
- 1/4 tsp salt
Instructions
- Combine the cream cheese, goat cheese, garlic powder, onion powder, ranch seasoning (optional), honey, and salt in a large mixing bowl. Use a hand mixer or a sturdy spoon to blend it all together until it’s smooth and creamy.
- Stir in the dried cranberries, walnuts or pecans, and green onions, making sure that everything is evenly distributed throughout the cream cheese mixture. Divide the mixture into fourths.
- Lay a tortilla on a flat surface, spread a fourth of the cream cheese mixture across it in an even layer, leaving a ½ inch margin around edges the tortilla. Repeat with each tortilla.
- Roll up each tortilla tightly, and then wrap the rolls in plastic wrap. Place them in the fridge for at least an hour to firm up. This helps the flavors to meld and makes slicing the cranberry pinwheels easier.
- After chilling, unwrap the rolls and slice each one into ¾ to 1 inch pinwheels. Arrange the pinwheels on a plate and get ready for the compliments!
Notes
Looking for more of the best winter recipes?
- An Easy Cranberry Spritzer Recipe Makes a Perfect Holiday Drink
- How to Make a Perfect Mimosa | Best Mimosa Drink Recipes
- How to Use Dried Cranberries + Best Dried Cranberries Recipe Ideas
This post was all about how to make an easy cranberry pinwheels recipe.
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