Description

These Cranberry Cream Cheese Pinwheels with Feta & Herbs are a delightful holiday appetizer combining flaky puff pastry with creamy cheese, tart cranberries, and fresh herbs. Perfectly golden and bursting with flavor, these pinwheels are ideal for festive gatherings and easy to prepare.

Ingredients

Scale

Pastry

1 sheet Puff Pastry (all-butter varieties are best)

Filling

8 oz Cream Cheese (softened)
1 cup Cranberry Sauce or Dried Cranberries (choose based on desired texture)
4 oz Feta Cheese (can substitute goat cheese)
1/4 cup Fresh Herbs (Parsley or Rosemary, chopped)

Finish

1 large Egg (beaten with water for wash)

Instructions

Preheat Oven: Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure even baking.
Roll Puff Pastry: On a lightly floured surface, roll out the puff pastry sheet until it is flat and smooth, preparing it as the base for the filling.
Spread Cream Cheese: Evenly spread the softened cream cheese over the entire surface of the pastry, leaving a small border around the edges to prevent overflow during baking.
Add Cranberries: Spread cranberry sauce or sprinkle dried cranberries evenly over the cream cheese layer, depending on your desired texture and taste.
Scatter Fresh Herbs: Sprinkle the chopped parsley or rosemary over the filling to add freshness and aromatic flavor to the pinwheels.
Roll the Pastry: Starting from one edge, roll the pastry tightly into a log shape to encase the filling properly, ensuring neat pinwheels when sliced.
Slice into Pinwheels: Cut the rolled log into 1-inch thick pieces to form individual pinwheels for baking and serving.
Prepare for Baking: Place the pinwheels cut side up on the prepared baking sheet, then brush the tops with the beaten egg wash to promote a golden, shiny finish.
Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 18-22 minutes, until the pinwheels are puffed and golden brown, indicating they are cooked through and ready to enjoy.

Notes

You can substitute feta with goat cheese if preferred for a milder flavor.
Use cranberry sauce for a moist filling or dried cranberries for more texture contrast.
Fresh herbs like parsley provide a bright flavor, while rosemary offers a woodsy aroma; choose based on your taste preference.
Ensure the cream cheese is softened for easy spreading and even layering.
For best results, use all-butter puff pastry for richer taste and flakiness.
Serve warm for the best texture and flavor experience.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Category: Appetizer
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American

Keywords: cranberry pinwheels, cream cheese appetizers, holiday appetizers, puff pastry snacks, easy holiday recipes, feta cheese pinwheels, festive finger food