Description
Festive cranberry feta pinwheels bring holiday cheer to appetizer platters with their elegant spiral design. Creamy cheese and tart cranberries dance together, promising a delightful bite that guests will eagerly devour at any celebration.
Ingredients
Scale
Proteins and Dairy:
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 4 oz feta cheese, crumbled
Fruits and Flavorings:
- 1 cup dried cranberries, chopped
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
Wrapping and Base:
- 4 large flour tortillas (8-inch)
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 1/4 tsp salt
Instructions
- Thoroughly soften cream cheese at room temperature for optimal spreadability, ensuring a smooth and even consistency.
- In a comprehensive mixing bowl, amalgamate softened cream cheese with crumbled feta, creating a rich and tangy base for the pinwheels.
- Incorporate finely chopped dried cranberries and freshly minced parsley into the cheese mixture, distributing ingredients evenly for balanced flavor profiles.
- Season the cheese blend with ground black pepper and salt, gently folding to integrate the seasonings without overworking the mixture.
- Lay out flour tortillas on a clean work surface, preparing them for precise filling and rolling.
- Spread the cheese and cranberry mixture edge-to-edge across each tortilla, maintaining a thin, uniform layer to prevent bulky rolling.
- Carefully roll each tortilla tightly from one end to the other, applying gentle pressure to create compact cylindrical shapes.
- Lightly brush the exterior of each rolled tortilla with olive oil, enhancing potential browning and adding subtle flavor.
- Wrap the completed rolls in plastic film and refrigerate for 30-45 minutes to firm up, which facilitates cleaner slicing.
- Using a sharp knife, slice each chilled roll into bite-sized pinwheels approximately 1/2 inch thick, wiping the blade between cuts for clean edges.
- Arrange pinwheels on a serving platter, presenting them attractively for immediate enjoyment or brief chilling before serving.
Notes
- Cream Cheese Softening Trick: Let cream cheese sit at room temperature for 30-60 minutes to achieve perfect spreadability and smooth blending.
- Flavor Balancing Technique: Mix ingredients gently to distribute cranberries and parsley evenly, preventing clumping and ensuring consistent taste in every bite.
- Gluten-Free Adaptation: Swap flour tortillas with large lettuce leaves or gluten-free wraps for a celiac-friendly alternative that maintains the appetizer’s delightful essence.
- Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare pinwheels up to 24 hours in advance, storing tightly wrapped in refrigerator to enhance flavor melding and reduce day-of preparation stress.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Rolling
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 340
- Sugar: 16 g
- Sodium: 290 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 38 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 7 g
- Cholesterol: 40 mg