Cranberry Cream Cheese Pinwheels with Feta & Herbs Recipe
Cranberry Cream Cheese Pinwheels with Feta & Herbs are delightful, flaky pastries that combine the tartness of cranberries with creamy cheese and fresh herbs. Perfect as an appetizer or snack, these easy-to-make pinwheels feature puff pastry rolled with a creamy blend of cream cheese, feta, cranberry, and fragrant herbs, baked to golden perfection.
- 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
Egg Wash
- 1 egg beaten with 1 tablespoon water
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure easy cleanup.
- Prepare Puff Pastry: On a lightly floured surface, roll out the sheet of puff pastry, smoothing out any creases for an even layer.
- Spread Cream Cheese: Evenly spread the softened cream cheese over the puff pastry, leaving a small border around the edges to prevent overflow during baking.
- Add Cranberries and Feta: Sprinkle the cranberry sauce or chopped dried cranberries evenly over the cream cheese, then add the crumbled feta cheese on top for a tangy flavor.
- Sprinkle Fresh Herbs: Scatter the chopped fresh herbs such as parsley or rosemary evenly over the filling to add a fresh, aromatic note.
- Roll and Slice: Carefully roll the pastry from one long edge into a tight log, then slice into 1-inch pieces to create pinwheels.
- Arrange on Baking Sheet: Place each pinwheel cut side up on the prepared baking sheet, spacing them evenly to allow for puffing.
- Apply Egg Wash and Bake: Brush the tops of the pinwheels with the egg wash mixture for a golden, glossy finish. Bake in the preheated oven for 18-22 minutes, or until the pinwheels are puffed and golden brown.
Notes
- You can substitute fresh herbs with dried herbs if fresh ones aren’t available, but use about half the quantity as dried herbs are more potent.
- Use either cranberry sauce or dried cranberries based on your preference for texture and sweetness.
- Make sure the cream cheese is softened to spread smoothly over the pastry.
- Serve warm for the best flavor and texture, though they can be enjoyed at room temperature as well.
- These pinwheels can be prepared ahead, sliced, and refrigerated before baking to save time.
Keywords: cranberry pinwheels, cream cheese appetizers, puff pastry recipes, feta cheese snacks, holiday appetizers, herb snacks
