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Cranberry Pecan Pinwheels

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These festive cranberry pecan pinwheels are a quick and easy holiday appetizer featuring creamy cheese, tart cranberries, and toasted pecans wrapped in golden puff pastry. Perfect for parties, potlucks, or cozy brunches, they come together in under 30 minutes and are always a crowd-pleaser.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 package (16 oz) puff pastry sheets, thawed
  • 4 oz cream cheese, softened
  • 1/2 cup dried cranberries, roughly chopped
  • 1/2 cup pecans, toasted and chopped
  • 2 tablespoons brown sugar
  • Zest of 1 orange (optional)
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • Pinch of salt
  • 1 egg, beaten with 1 tablespoon water (for egg wash)

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat.
  2. In a mixing bowl, combine softened cream cheese, chopped dried cranberries, toasted chopped pecans, brown sugar, orange zest (if using), cinnamon, and a pinch of salt. Stir until well mixed and spreadable.
  3. Unfold the thawed puff pastry on a lightly floured surface. If using a block, roll out to about 10×12 inches.
  4. Spread the cream cheese mixture evenly over the pastry, leaving a 1/2-inch border along one long edge.
  5. Starting from the opposite long edge, roll up the pastry into a tight log. Press the seam to seal.
  6. With a sharp serrated knife or pizza cutter, slice the log into 1/2-inch thick rounds (about 16-20 pinwheels).
  7. Place pinwheels cut-side up on the prepared baking sheet, spacing about 1 inch apart.
  8. In a small bowl, beat the egg with 1 tablespoon water. Brush the tops of each pinwheel with the egg wash.
  9. Bake for 15-18 minutes, or until golden brown and puffed. Rotate the pan halfway through baking for even color.
  10. Let pinwheels cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack. Serve warm or at room temperature.

Notes

Keep the puff pastry cold for best results. Toasting the pecans enhances their flavor and prevents sogginess. For clean slices, use a sharp serrated knife and chill the rolled log if it becomes too soft. Pinwheels can be assembled ahead and baked from frozen, adding a few extra minutes to the bake time. Variations include swapping nuts, using goat cheese, or making vegan/gluten-free adaptations.

Nutrition

Keywords: cranberry pecan pinwheels, holiday appetizer, puff pastry, party snack, easy appetizer, Thanksgiving, Christmas, brunch, make-ahead, vegetarian

Find it online: https://chrisfeasts.com/cranberry-pecan-pinwheels-recipe-easy-holiday-party-appetizer/