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Easy Christmas Cranberry Feta Pinwheels Party Appetizer Recipe

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★★★★★

4.9 from 56 reviews

These Easy Christmas Cranberry Feta Pinwheels are festive, flaky puff pastry appetizers perfect for holiday parties. Filled with a creamy blend of cream cheese, tangy feta, dried cranberries, and fresh herbs, they bake to golden perfection with a beautiful puff. Quick to assemble and customizable with nuts or zest, they make an impressive yet simple seasonal treat.

Ingredients

Scale

Puff Pastry

  • 2 sheets frozen puff pastry, thawed (approx. 500g)

Filling

  • 8 oz (226g) cream cheese, full-fat, softened
  • 4 oz (113g) feta cheese, crumbled
  • ½ cup dried cranberries, finely chopped
  • 2 tbsp fresh rosemary, finely minced
  • 1 tbsp fresh thyme leaves, finely minced
  • 1 tbsp light brown sugar
  • ½ tsp black pepper, freshly ground
  • ¼ tsp garlic powder (optional)
  • Pinch of salt, to taste

Egg Wash and Garnish

  • 1 large egg
  • 1 tbsp water or milk
  • Fresh rosemary sprigs (optional, for garnish)
  • Whole fresh cranberries (optional, for garnish)

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Creamy Cranberry Feta Filling: Soften cream cheese to room temperature. In a medium bowl, beat softened cream cheese until light and fluffy. Gently fold in crumbled feta cheese. Finely mince fresh rosemary and thyme; finely chop dried cranberries. Add chopped cranberries, minced herbs, light brown sugar, black pepper, garlic powder (if using), and a pinch of salt to the cream cheese mixture. Gently fold until all ingredients are well combined. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.
  2. Assemble First Puff Pastry Log: Lay one sheet of thawed puff pastry on a lightly floured surface or parchment paper. Gently roll it into an approximate 10×12-inch rectangle (1/8-1/4 inch thick). Evenly spread half of the filling over the pastry, leaving a ½-inch border along one long edge. Starting from the opposite long edge, carefully and tightly roll the pastry into a log, pinching the seam closed along the border to seal it.
  3. Chill and Slice First Log: Wrap the pastry log tightly in plastic wrap and chill in the freezer for 15-20 minutes, or in the refrigerator for 30-45 minutes, until firm. Remove from plastic wrap and, using a sharp knife, slice the log into ½-inch thick rounds.
  4. Assemble and Slice Second Puff Pastry Log: Repeat the assembly (rolling pastry, spreading filling, rolling into log) and chilling/slicing steps for the second sheet of puff pastry and the remaining filling.
  5. Prepare for Baking: Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Line two large baking sheets with parchment paper. Arrange the sliced pinwheels on the prepared baking sheets, leaving about 1-inch of space between each.
  6. Apply Egg Wash and Bake: In a small bowl, whisk together 1 large egg and 1 tablespoon of water or milk for the egg wash. Lightly brush the tops and exposed edges of each pinwheel. Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until the puff pastry is beautifully puffed, golden brown, and flaky. Rotate trays halfway through baking if needed.
  7. Cool and Serve: Carefully remove from the oven and let cool on the baking sheets for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack. Serve warm or at room temperature. Garnish with fresh rosemary sprigs and whole cranberries, if desired.
  8. Storage and Reheating Instructions: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. To reheat, warm in a preheated oven at 300°F (150°C) for 5-8 minutes. Avoid microwaving.
  9. Make-Ahead and Freezing Tips: For make-ahead, prepare the log (up to slicing) the day before, wrap tightly, and refrigerate. Slice, egg wash, and bake on the day of serving. To freeze unbaked pinwheels, arrange on a baking sheet until solid, then transfer to a freezer-safe bag for up to 1 month. Bake from frozen, adding a few extra minutes to baking time.
  10. Recipe Variations: Consider adding finely chopped toasted pecans or walnuts, a pinch of red pepper flakes, or a teaspoon of orange zest to the filling for different flavor profiles.

Notes

  • Use full-fat cream cheese for the best creamy texture and flavor.
  • Thaw puff pastry sheets completely but keep them cold to work with easily.
  • Chilling the rolled logs before slicing helps maintain shape and prevents filling from spilling.
  • Brush the pinwheels evenly with egg wash for a beautiful golden finish.
  • If you do not have fresh herbs, you can substitute with 1 teaspoon dried rosemary and ½ teaspoon dried thyme but reduce slightly to avoid bitterness.
  • Store pinwheels in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3-4 days or freeze unbaked for up to 1 month.
  • Reheat in the oven to maintain crispiness; microwaving can make them soggy.

Keywords: Christmas appetizers, cranberry feta pinwheels, puff pastry appetizers, holiday party snacks, festive finger foods

Find it online: https://servedbynora.com/easy-christmas-cranberry-feta-pinwheels-party-appetizer-recipe/