Print

Delicious Christmas Cranberry Pinwheels

Delicious Christmas Cranberry Pinwheels
Print Recipe

Delicious Christmas Cranberry Pinwheels combine sweet, tangy cranberries with rich cream cheese and flaky puff pastry, creating a festive, easy-to-make appetizer perfect for holiday parties and gatherings. These colorful pinwheels offer a buttery, golden texture with bright cranberry bursts and a hint of citrus, making them a seasonal favorite that impresses guests with minimal effort.

Ingredients

Scale

Pastry

  • 1 sheet thawed frozen puff pastry

Filling

  • 8 oz cream cheese, softened
  • 1/4 cup sugar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 teaspoon fresh orange zest
  • 1 cup fresh cranberries (roughly chopped if desired)

Topping

  • 1 egg, beaten (for egg wash)

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Cream Cheese Filling: In a mixing bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, sugar, vanilla extract, and fresh orange zest. Stir thoroughly until the mixture becomes smooth and fluffy, forming the luscious base for the pinwheels.
  2. Blend in the Cranberries: Gently fold fresh cranberries into the cream cheese mixture. If preferred, roughly chop the cranberries for smaller bursts of tart flavor in each bite.
  3. Roll Out the Puff Pastry: On a lightly floured surface, unfold and roll out the puff pastry sheet into an even rectangle, maintaining its chilled temperature for easier handling.
  4. Spread the Filling: Evenly spread the cranberry and cream cheese mixture across the puff pastry, reaching close to the edges for maximum flavor in every spiral.
  5. Roll and Chill: Carefully roll the pastry from one long side to the other to create a tight spiral log. Wrap it in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to firm up and make slicing easier.
  6. Slice and Arrange: Using a sharp knife, slice the rolled log into ½-inch thick pinwheels and place them on a parchment-lined baking sheet, spacing evenly.
  7. Apply Egg Wash and Bake: Brush the pinwheels tops with beaten egg wash to promote browning. Bake in a preheated oven at 375°F (190°C) for 15–20 minutes or until golden brown and puffed up.

Notes

  • Chill the dough to ensure flaky and crisp layers after baking.
  • Use fresh cranberries for the best tart flavor and vibrant color.
  • Avoid overfilling the pastry to prevent leakage during baking.
  • Use a very sharp serrated knife for clean slices without squashing the pinwheels.
  • Watch baking time carefully, since oven temperatures may vary to prevent over-browning.

Nutrition

Keywords: Christmas appetizer, cranberry pinwheels, holiday snack, festive treats, puff pastry appetizers, cream cheese pinwheels

Find it online: https://marycorner.com/delicious-christmas-cranberry-pinwheels/