Tasty Christmas Cranberry Pinwheels Recipe

Introduction

These Tasty Christmas Cranberry Pinwheels are a festive and flavorful appetizer perfect for holiday gatherings. Combining creamy feta, tangy cranberries, and fresh green onions in a soft tortilla, they offer a delightful bite every time.

Ingredients

• 1/4 cup chopped green onions
• 3/4 cup sweetened dried cranberries (softened in warm water for 5 minutes)
• 3/4 cup crumbled feta cheese
• 2 large flour tortillas (10-inch size, for easier rolling)
• 1 package cream cheese (softened, Philadelphia preferred)

Instructions

1. Step 1: Prepare the filling by combining the chopped green onions, softened cranberries, crumbled feta cheese, and softened cream cheese in a large mixing bowl. Mix well until evenly incorporated and smooth.
2. Step 2: Lay the flour tortillas flat on a clean surface. Divide the filling mixture evenly between the tortillas, spreading it out to cover each tortilla completely, leaving a small border around the edges to avoid overfilling when rolling.
3. Step 3: Roll each tortilla tightly, encasing the filling. Wrap each roll securely in plastic wrap to maintain shape and prevent drying. Refrigerate the wrapped rolls for at least one hour to allow flavors to meld and to make slicing easier.
4. Step 4: Remove the chilled rolls from the refrigerator and unwrap. Using a sharp knife, slice each roll into about 12 pinwheels. Arrange on a serving platter and enjoy as a festive appetizer or snack.

Tips & Variations

• For a nutty crunch, add some finely chopped toasted pecans or walnuts to the filling.
• Try substituting feta with goat cheese for a creamier texture and tangier flavor.
• If you prefer a less sweet bite, use unsweetened dried cranberries and drizzle a little honey into the filling.
• Allow the rolls to chill longer than an hour if you want firmer slices that hold together better.

Storage

Store the pinwheels in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. They are best enjoyed fresh but can be wrapped tightly in plastic wrap to maintain moisture. Reheat is generally not necessary, as these pinwheels are served cold or at room temperature.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make these pinwheels ahead of time?

Yes, these pinwheels benefit from chilling for at least an hour, and you can prepare them up to one day in advance. Just keep them wrapped and refrigerated until serving.

Can I use other types of tortillas?

While flour tortillas work best due to their softness and flexibility, you can experiment with whole wheat or spinach tortillas for added flavor and color, though this may slightly change the texture.

Tasty Christmas Cranberry Pinwheels Recipe

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These Tasty Christmas Cranberry Pinwheels are a delightful holiday appetizer featuring a creamy, tangy filling of crumbled feta, sweetened dried cranberries, and green onions, all wrapped in soft flour tortillas. Chilled until firm and sliced into bite-sized spirals, they offer a perfect balance of flavors and vibrant colors, ideal for festive gatherings or snack time.

• Author: Luna
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 0 minutes
• Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
• Yield: Approximately 24 pinwheel slices 1x
• Category: Appetizer
• Method: No-Cook
• Cuisine: American
• Diet: Vegetarian

Ingredients

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Filling Ingredients

• 1/4 cup chopped green onions
• 3/4 cup sweetened dried cranberries (softened in warm water for 5 minutes)
• 3/4 cup crumbled feta cheese
• 1 package (8 oz) cream cheese, softened (Philadelphia preferred)

Wrapping

• 2 large flour tortillas (10-inch size, for easier rolling)

Instructions

1. Prepare the Filling Mixture: In a large mixing bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, chopped green onions, softened dried cranberries, and crumbled feta cheese. Mix thoroughly until all ingredients are evenly incorporated and the mixture is uniform in texture, ensuring the flavors are well distributed.
2. Assemble the Tortilla Rolls: Lay the flour tortillas on a clean, flat surface. Divide the filling mixture evenly between the two tortillas. Spread the filling over each tortilla’s surface evenly, leaving about a 1/2-inch border around the edges to prevent the filling from spilling out when rolling.
3. Roll and Chill the Tortillas: Starting from one edge, tightly roll each tortilla to encase the filling securely. Wrap each roll tightly in plastic wrap to maintain shape and prevent drying. Place the wrapped rolls in the refrigerator and chill for at least one hour. This chilling period helps the flavors meld and firms up the roll for easier slicing.
4. Slice and Serve: Remove the rolls from the refrigerator and unwrap them carefully. Using a sharp knife, cut each roll into approximately 12 evenly sized pinwheel slices. Arrange the slices on a serving platter and serve immediately as a festive appetizer or snack.

Notes

• Soften the dried cranberries in warm water for 5 minutes to make them chewy and easy to mix.
• Use softened cream cheese for easy mixing and a smooth texture.
• The chilling step is essential to help the pinwheels hold their shape when sliced.
• These pinwheels can be prepared a few hours ahead and kept refrigerated until serving.
• For variation, consider adding a sprinkle of chopped fresh herbs like parsley or cilantro.

Keywords: Christmas appetizer, cranberry pinwheels, holiday snack, feta cheese appetizer, cream cheese roll-ups