Cranberry Cream Cheese Pinwheels with Feta & Herbs Recipe
Cranberry Cream Cheese Pinwheels with Feta & Herbs are a delightful appetizer featuring flaky puff pastry filled with creamy tangy cream cheese, sweet-tart cranberries, savory feta, and fresh herbs. These bite-sized pinwheels baked to golden perfection make an elegant and easy crowd-pleaser for holiday gatherings or any festive occasion.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 12 pinwheels 1x
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
Pastry
- 1 sheet puff pastry
Filling
- 4 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1/4 cup cranberry sauce or 1/3 cup chopped dried cranberries
- 1/4 cup feta cheese, crumbled
- 1 tablespoon fresh herbs (parsley or rosemary), chopped
Finishing
- 1 egg beaten with 1 tablespoon water (egg 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 Out Puff Pastry: On a lightly floured surface, roll out the puff pastry sheet gently to smooth out any creases and slightly enlarge the sheet for easier spreading.
- Spread Cream Cheese: Evenly spread the softened cream cheese over the puff pastry, leaving a small border around the edges to prevent overflow while rolling.
- Add Cranberries and Feta: Sprinkle cranberry sauce or chopped dried cranberries evenly over the cream cheese, followed by an even layer of crumbled feta cheese.
- Sprinkle Herbs: Scatter the chopped fresh herbs such as parsley or rosemary evenly on top of the filling to add aromatic freshness.
- Roll and Slice: Starting from one long edge, tightly roll the pastry into a log shape. Slice the rolled log into approximately 1-inch thick pinwheels.
- Arrange Pinwheels: Place the pinwheels cut side up on the prepared baking sheet, spacing them slightly apart to allow puffing.
- Apply Egg Wash and Bake: Brush the tops of each pinwheel with the beaten egg wash to achieve a golden and shiny crust. Bake for 18-22 minutes or until the pinwheels are puffed, golden, and cooked through.
Notes
- You can substitute fresh herbs with dried herbs if fresh are unavailable, but reduce quantity as dried herbs are more potent.
- For a sweeter version, use cranberry sauce instead of dried cranberries and consider adding a touch of honey to the cream cheese.
- Pinwheels are best served warm but can be enjoyed at room temperature.
- For a dairy-free version, substitute cream cheese and feta with plant-based alternatives.
- To prep ahead, slice the rolled log and refrigerate before baking, adding extra baking time if baking cold.
Keywords: cranberry pinwheels, cream cheese appetizers, puff pastry snacks, holiday appetizers, feta cheese snacks, herb appetizers, baked finger foods
