Description
These festive cranberry feta pinwheels deliver beautiful presentation with vibrant red cranberries, creamy tangy filling, fresh herbs, and perfect bite-sized portions. Sweet-tart cranberries combine with salty feta, crunchy pecans, and fresh greens in easy make-ahead appetizer that looks professionally catered. Perfect for holiday parties and special celebrations.
Ingredients
FOR THE FILLING:
8 oz cream cheese, softened to room temperature
4 oz feta cheese, crumbled (about 1 cup)
2 tablespoons mayonnaise or Greek yogurt
1 clove garlic, minced
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
½ teaspoon dried dill (or 1 tablespoon fresh dill)
¼ teaspoon black pepper
Pinch of salt
FOR ASSEMBLY:
4 large flour tortillas (10–12 inch, burrito size)
1 cup dried cranberries, chopped if very large
½ cup chopped pecans, toasted
2 cups fresh baby spinach or arugula, washed and dried
2 tablespoons honey (optional)
OPTIONAL ADD-INS:
Fresh basil leaves
Pomegranate arils
Orange zest
Instructions
1. Toast pecans in dry skillet over medium heat 5 minutes until fragrant, stirring frequently. Let cool, then chop. Bring cream cheese to room temperature.
2. In medium bowl, combine softened cream cheese, crumbled feta, mayonnaise, minced garlic, lemon juice, dill, pepper, and pinch of salt. Mix until smooth and well combined. Taste and adjust seasoning.
3. Lay one large tortilla flat on clean work surface.
4. Using offset spatula or butter knife, spread ¼ of cream cheese mixture evenly over entire tortilla surface to edges. Layer should be thin but complete, about ⅛-inch thick.
5. Sprinkle ¼ cup chopped dried cranberries evenly over cream cheese layer, leaving ½-inch border at top edge.
6. Sprinkle 2 tablespoons toasted chopped pecans over cranberries, distributing evenly.
7. Arrange about ½ cup baby spinach or arugula leaves in even layer over filling. Don’t overstuff.
8. Starting from bottom edge, roll tortilla as tightly as possible without tearing. Apply gentle pressure while rolling to eliminate air pockets.
9. Press sealed edge gently to adhere. The ½-inch border without filling helps seal the roll.
10. Wrap each rolled tortilla tightly in plastic wrap with seam side down. Repeat with remaining 3 tortillas.
11. Refrigerate wrapped rolls minimum 2 hours (4 hours or overnight is better) to firm up for clean slicing.
12. Using sharp serrated knife, trim off ends (about ½ inch from each side). Slice each roll into ¾-inch thick pinwheels. Wipe knife between cuts for clean slices.
13. Arrange pinwheels cut-side up on serving platter. Serve immediately or cover and refrigerate up to 8 hours.
Notes
Cream cheese must be softened to room temperature for smooth spreading—leave out 1-2 hours.
Fresh, pliable tortillas are essential. If slightly stiff, warm 10 seconds in microwave wrapped in damp paper towel.
Roll tortillas as tightly as possible without tearing. Loose rolls create gaps when sliced.
Adequate chilling is crucial—minimum 2 hours, overnight is best for cleanest slices.
Dry greens thoroughly before using to prevent soggy tortillas.
Use sharp serrated knife and wipe between cuts for beautiful, clean pinwheels.
Make rolls up to 24 hours ahead, keep wrapped and refrigerated. Slice just before serving.
Each tortilla yields 10-12 pinwheels. Four tortillas make 40-48 pieces.
Don’t freeze—cream cheese separates and tortillas become soggy.
For vegetarian meal, serve 4-5 pinwheels per person with soup or salad.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes (no cooking required)
- Category: Appetizer/Finger Food
- Method: No-Bake Assembly
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2-3 pinwheels
- Calories: 85
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 135mg
- Fat: 5g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 8g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 12mg
Keywords: cranberry pinwheels, party appetizers, make-ahead appetizers, holiday finger food, cream cheese pinwheels, vegetarian appetizers
