They’re made with just 3 ingredients, are suitable for vegetarians and can easily be made vegan and or gluten-free. Indulge in the festive spirit with these delectable Cranberry Cream Cheese Pinwheels. They’re a delightful treat that seamlessly blends the tartness of cranberries with the rich creaminess of cream cheese, all wrapped up in flaky puff pastry. These bite-sized wonders are not only visually appealing but also incredibly easy to make, making them the perfect addition to your holiday season and party spread. Crafted with just three simple ingredients—puff pastry, cream cheese, and vibrant cranberry sauce—these pinwheels are a effortlessly delicious addition to your holiday festivities. They’re perfect in a festive platter with Chestnut Hummus, Loaded Cauliflower Cheese Balls, Chili Cheese and Pineapple Parcels, Christmas Candied Walnuts and Spiced Rosemary Almonds. I love to keep some sweet treats on hand too, like these Mini Nutella Puff Pastry Christmas Trees that are made with 2 ingredients!
Cranberry Cream Cheese Pinwheels with Puff Pastry Ingredients
Cranberry sauce – cranberry jam or even Christmas jam works well for this recipe. Make your own or use store-bought. Cream Cheese aka soft cheese – use any spreadable soft cheese that takes your fancy. You can use flavoured cheeses too. Puff Pastry sheet – You can purchase this as ready rolled in the fresh aisle or as a frozen block that you need to roll out after defrosting. Milk for glazing – its a great egg-free glaze substitute.
Dietary variations
Gluten-free Use a gluten-free puff pastry which is usually available in stores Vegan/Dairy Free Use a vegan cheese spread and glaze the pastry with plant based milk. Most store bought pastries are vegan but it is worth checking the packaging.
How to make Cranberry Cream Cheese Pinwheels
Roll out a puff pastry sheet on a clean, even surface. Spread over the cream cheese first ensuring to cover the edges too. Be careful not to tear or disturb the pastry too much. Now dollop then spread over the cranberry sauce/jam. Roll the pastry into a log. I roll away from me with the longer edge so my pinwheels do not end up too large (see video in the recipe card). If your pastry is soft, I suggest chilling it for 10 minutes so it firms up. Slice into even sized pinwheels using a sharp knife – around 1-1.5inch works well. Arrange onto parchment paper with sufficient gap to allow for the puff pastry to expand. Oven: Place on a baking tray and bake in a preheated oven at 190 C for 10-12 minutes or until the puff pastry is risen, flaky and golden brown. Air Fryer: Place the parchment paper with the pinwheels inside the air fryer basket. You may have to air fry in batches. Air Fry for 7-10 minutes at 180C or until the pastry is golden. Note that cooking times may vary based on models.
Pro Tips
Ensure your cranberry sauce/jam is at spreadable consistency. If not, loosen with a spoon of warm water. Do not overfill the pastry, as you may struggle to roll it up. Chill the pastry prior to cutting into pinwheels. Use a sharp knife to cut and you may need to clean the knife between cuts.
Serving Suggestions
1 pastry sheet makes approximately 24 cranberry cream cheese pinwheels. Serve warm or at room temperature. Optionally garnish with fresh herbs such as thyme. You might like to serve alongside mocktails such as this Non Alcoholic Mimosa or Cranberry Mocktail.
Storage
You can store leftover prepared pinwheels in an airtight container. They will stay fresh in the fridge for about 2 days however, they will loose their crispy and flaky texture over time. Reheat in the oven or air fryer rather than microwave to get them crispy again. You can make this recipe ahead by preparing the pinwheels in advance but baking just before serving. Keep the prepared pinwheels in the fridge. I do not recommend freezing these pinwheels.
Other Puff Pastry Appetizer Recipes
Punjabi Samosa Puff Vegan Curry Puffs Tandoori Paneer Tarte au Soleil Szechuan Paneer Puff Pastry Circles / Pinwheels As always if you make this recipe, be sure to leave me a comment, rate this recipe and tag me on Instagram @jcookingodyssey or #jcookingodyssey. I love seeing all your photos of my recipe recreations! Don’t forget to follow me on social media using the buttons below – I can’t wait to see you all there!
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