Description
These Cranberry Cream Cheese Pinwheels with Feta & Herbs are a delightful appetizer combining flaky puff pastry with creamy cheese, tart cranberries, and fragrant fresh herbs. Perfect for holiday parties or any gathering, these bite-sized treats are easy to prepare and baked to golden perfection.
Ingredients
Scale
Pinwheel Ingredients
- 1 sheet puff pastry
- 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
- 1 egg beaten with 1 tablespoon water (egg wash)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure easy cleanup.
- Prepare Puff Pastry: Roll out the puff pastry sheet on a lightly floured surface to smooth out creases and create an even thickness, making it easier to spread fillings.
- Spread Cream Cheese: Evenly spread the softened cream cheese over the entire puff pastry surface, leaving a small border around the edges to prevent overflow when baking.
- Add Cranberries and Feta: Sprinkle cranberry sauce or chopped dried cranberries evenly over the cream cheese, followed by crumbled feta cheese, distributing them uniformly for balanced flavor in every bite.
- Sprinkle Fresh Herbs: Scatter the chopped fresh herbs, such as parsley or rosemary, over the filling to add a fragrant and fresh herbal note to the pinwheels.
- Roll and Slice: Starting from one long edge, roll the pastry tightly into a log shape, ensuring the filling stays inside. Slice the roll into 1-inch thick pieces to form individual pinwheels.
- Arrange on Baking Sheet: Place the pinwheels cut side up on the prepared baking sheet, spacing them evenly to allow for expansion while baking.
- Apply Egg Wash and Bake: Brush the tops of the pinwheels with the egg wash mixture to give them a shiny, golden finish. Bake for 18-22 minutes or until they are puffed and golden brown.
Notes
- You can substitute fresh herbs with dried herbs but reduce the quantity as dried herbs are more concentrated.
- For a sweeter taste, use cranberry sauce; for more texture, use chopped dried cranberries.
- Ensure the cream cheese is softened for easy spreading.
- Allow the pinwheels to cool slightly before serving to avoid burning and to let flavors meld.
- Pinwheels can be made ahead and baked just before serving.
