Cranberry Feta Cream Cheese Pinwheels
I’m gonna be real with you for a second: appetizers can be stressful.
You want something that looks like you spent hours in the kitchen but didn’t actually require you to miss the party prep. You need flavors that hit different but aren’t complicated. And bonus points if they disappear from the plate in under 5 minutes.
These cranberry feta cream cheese pinwheels are exactly that kind of recipe.
They’ve got this sweet-tangy-creamy thing going on that people can’t stop eating. I brought these to a holiday party last year and had three people ask for the recipe before I even got my coat off.
The combination of tart cranberries with salty feta and smooth cream cheese wrapped in a tortilla? Chef’s kiss.
Plus they’re done in about 20 minutes. No oven required.
What You’ll Need
For the Filling:
| Ingredient | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Cream cheese | 8 oz | Must be softened! |
| Feta cheese | 4 oz (1 cup crumbled) | The salty hero |
| Dried cranberries | 1/3 cup | Chop them up |
| Fresh parsley | 2 tablespoons | Finely chopped |
| Fresh chives | 1 tablespoon | Or 1 tsp dried |
| Garlic powder | 1/4 teaspoon | Not garlic salt |
| Black pepper | 1/8 teaspoon | Freshly ground is best |
| Salt | Pinch | Go light, feta is salty |
For Assembly:
- 4 large flour tortillas (10-inch size)
- Extra cranberries and parsley for garnish (optional but pretty)
Quick Math: This recipe makes 32-40 pinwheels, perfect for 16-20 people as an appetizer.
Tools You’ll Need
Here’s what you probably already own:
✓ Medium mixing bowl
✓ Hand mixer or wooden spoon
✓ Sharp serrated knife
✓ Cutting board
✓ Plastic wrap
✓ Spatula or butter knife
That’s it. No fancy gadgets required.
Pro Tips
1. Let that cream cheese soften
Cold cream cheese is a nightmare to work with. Leave it on the counter for 30-45 minutes before you start.
Your arm muscles will thank you.
2. Chop those cranberries
Whole dried cranberries make your pinwheels lumpy and harder to roll. Give them a rough chop so they distribute evenly.
3. Refrigeration is your friend
After you roll these up, pop them in the fridge for at least an hour. This firms everything up and makes slicing so much cleaner.
Trying to cut these when they’re warm? Like trying to cut jello with a butter knife.
4. Use a serrated knife for slicing
A sharp serrated knife (bread knife vibes) will give you the cleanest cuts without squishing your beautiful spirals.
Wipe the blade between cuts to keep things neat.
5. Go thin near the edges
When you’re spreading your cream cheese mixture, leave about half an inch at the edges bare.
This prevents the filling from squeezing out when you roll them up.
Also Read: Smoked Brisket Beer Cheese Bombs
Substitutions and Variations
Cheese Swaps
| Instead of Feta | Try This |
|---|---|
| Milder option | Goat cheese |
| Bold flavor | Blue cheese |
| Crowd-pleaser | Shredded cheddar |
| Extra creamy | Double the cream cheese, skip feta |
Mix-In Ideas
Sweet route:
- Pomegranate seeds (juicy pop)
- Chopped pecans or walnuts (crunch factor)
- Honey drizzle (2 tablespoons mixed in)
Savory route:
- Sun-dried tomatoes (tangy and intense)
- Diced turkey or crispy bacon (protein boost)
- Chopped artichoke hearts (unexpected but amazing)
Tortilla Options
🌯 Spinach tortillas = fancy looking + subtle flavor
🌯 Sun-dried tomato wraps = incredible flavor combo
🌯 Whole wheat = heartier texture
🌯 Tomato basil = Italian vibes
Herb Changes
No fresh herbs? Use 1 teaspoon of dried Italian seasoning instead.
Fresh dill is amazing here too if you have it.
Make Ahead Tips
These are actually better when you make them ahead.
Timeline Options:
| When to Prep | What to Do | Storage |
|---|---|---|
| 24 hours before | Roll completely, wrap in plastic | Keep in fridge, slice before serving |
| 3 days before | Make filling only | Airtight container in fridge |
| 2 hours before | Full recipe + chill time | Perfect timing |
Pro move: Make them the night before your party. One less thing to stress about.
How to Make Cranberry Feta Cream Cheese Pinwheels
Step 1: Make the Filling
Grab your mixing bowl and add the softened cream cheese.
Beat it with a hand mixer (or get a good arm workout with a wooden spoon) until it’s smooth and fluffy. This takes about 1-2 minutes.
Add everything else:
- Crumbled feta ✓
- Chopped cranberries ✓
- Parsley ✓
- Chives ✓
- Garlic powder ✓
- Pepper ✓
- Tiny pinch of salt ✓
Mix until well combined but not overmixed. You want to see little specks of everything throughout.
Taste it. If it needs more seasoning, add a bit more pepper or a squeeze of lemon juice for brightness.
Step 2: Prep Your Tortillas
Lay out your tortillas on a clean surface.
If they’ve been in the fridge, let them come to room temperature for a few minutes so they’re pliable and won’t crack when you roll them.
Step 3: Spread the Filling
Divide your cream cheese mixture evenly among the four tortillas.
Use a spatula or butter knife to spread it in a thin, even layer across the entire surface.
Remember: Leave about half an inch bare at the edges. This is your insurance policy against filling oozing out the sides.
Also Read: Mexican White Trash Casserole
Step 4: Roll Them Up
Starting from one edge, roll each tortilla up as tightly as you can without squeezing out the filling.
Think burrito-rolling technique here.
Tight rolls = prettier pinwheels.
Step 5: Wrap and Chill
Wrap each roll individually in plastic wrap. Make sure the seam is facing down so it doesn’t unroll on you.
Pop them in the fridge for at least 1 hour, but 2-3 hours is even better.
This is when the magic happens and everything sets up perfectly.
Step 6: Slice and Serve
When you’re ready to serve, unwrap the rolls and use a sharp serrated knife to slice them into 1-inch thick rounds.
You should get:
- 8-10 pinwheels per tortilla
- 32-40 total pinwheels
- Enough for 16-20 people
Arrange them on a platter, spiral side up.
If you want to get fancy, garnish with a few extra cranberries and a sprinkle of fresh parsley in the center.
Serve them cold and watch them disappear.
Time Breakdown
| Task | Time |
|---|---|
| Prep (mixing, spreading) | 15 minutes |
| Chill time | 1-2 hours |
| Slicing and plating | 5 minutes |
| Total active time | 20 minutes |
| Total time | 1.5-2.5 hours |
The chill time is hands-off, so you can prep other things or just relax.
Leftovers and Storage
Store leftover pinwheels in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
Keep them in a single layer if possible, or put parchment paper between layers so they don’t stick together.
They actually taste great straight from the fridge, which makes them perfect for snacking or quick lunches.
I’ve been known to eat these for breakfast with my coffee. No judgment 😊
Storage Don’ts:
❌ Don’t freeze these
The cream cheese and feta get weird and watery when thawed, and the tortillas turn soggy.
❌ Don’t leave them uncovered
They’ll dry out and look sad.
❌ Don’t slice too far in advance
The edges can get crusty. Slice right before serving.
Nutritional Information
Per serving (2 pinwheels):
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Calories | 145 |
| Protein | 5g |
| Carbs | 12g |
| Fat | 9g |
| Fiber | 1g |
| Sugar | 3g |
| Sodium | 285mg |
Note: This can vary based on the specific brands you use and how thickly you spread the filling.
Pairing Suggestions
Drink Pairings
🍾 Prosecco or champagne = holiday party vibes
🍷 White wine (Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio)
🍹 Cranberry mimosas = matches the cranberry flavor
🫖 Iced tea or sparkling water with lemon = alcohol-free option
Food Pairings
With other apps:
- Something crunchy (crackers and cheese)
- Something warm (stuffed mushrooms)
- Something fresh (veggie platter)
As part of a meal:
- Tomato soup 🍅
- Butternut squash soup 🎃
- Big garden salad 🥗
The contrast in temperature and texture makes your spread more interesting.
Cooking Time Efficiency Tips
Speed It Up:
- Make the filling while cream cheese softens = cuts down active time to 15 minutes
- Use store-bought filling = I won’t tell anyone
- Skip garnishes = they’re pretty but not necessary
- Cut chill time to 30 minutes = slices won’t be as clean but they’ll still taste good
Batch Cooking:
Double or triple this recipe if you’re feeding a crowd. The filling scales perfectly.
For 50 people: Make 2.5x the recipe (10 tortillas total)
Also Read: Top 10 Iron Rich Foods to Increase Low Iron Levels Naturally (+3 Simple Meals)
FAQ
Can I use fresh cranberries instead of dried?
You could, but you’d need to cook them down first with some sugar until they’re jammy.
Dried cranberries are way easier and give you the concentrated flavor you want without extra moisture.
Why is my filling too runny?
Your cream cheese probably wasn’t soft enough, or you’re using the spreadable kind.
Make sure you’re using brick-style cream cheese (not the tub) and that it’s actually at room temperature before mixing.
Can I make these without the feta?
Sure, but you’ll lose some of that salty tang that balances the sweet cranberries.
Try adding an extra 2 oz of cream cheese and a pinch more salt if you skip the feta.
How do I keep the tortillas from cracking?
Let them come to room temperature before rolling. Cold tortillas are stiff and will crack.
You can also warm them slightly in the microwave for 10-15 seconds wrapped in a damp paper towel.
These look dry, what did I do wrong?
You probably didn’t use enough filling or let them sit in the fridge uncovered.
Make sure you wrap them tightly in plastic wrap and use a generous amount of cream cheese mixture.
Can I add meat to these?
You absolutely can.
Diced turkey or crispy bacon bits would be amazing mixed into the filling. Just keep the pieces small so they don’t interfere with rolling.
Will these work for a big party?
Yes! This recipe makes about 32-40 pinwheels, which serves 16-20 people as an appetizer.
Double the recipe if you’re feeding a crowd or if these are the only app you’re serving.
What if I don’t have a hand mixer?
A fork works too, it just takes more elbow grease.
Or mash the cream cheese with the back of a spoon until smooth, then stir in the other ingredients.
Can I use a different type of cheese?
Absolutely. Scroll back up to the substitutions section for a full breakdown of cheese swaps.
How thin should I spread the filling?
About 1/4 inch thick across the whole tortilla.
You want full coverage but not so thick that it squeezes out when you roll.
Wrapping Up
These cranberry feta cream cheese pinwheels are one of those recipes you’ll come back to over and over again.
They’re easy enough for a random Tuesday but impressive enough for your holiday party.
The sweet and salty combination hits every time, and people love that they can just grab one and go. No plates, no mess, just good food that actually tastes like you tried.
Make them this week and let me know how they turn out.
Did you try any of the variations? Did they disappear as fast as mine always do?
Drop a comment below with your experience or any questions you have. I read every single one and I love hearing how these recipes work out in your kitchen.
