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Cranberry Jalapeño Cream Cheese Pinwheels

Cranberry Jalapeño Cream Cheese Pinwheels - featured image
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These festive pinwheels feature a creamy, tangy filling of cream cheese, dried cranberries, and fresh jalapeños rolled in soft flour tortillas. Quick to prepare and perfect for holiday gatherings, they deliver a sweet, spicy, and savory bite in every swirl.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 8 oz cream cheese, softened
  • 3/4 cup dried cranberries, finely chopped
  • 1–2 fresh jalapeños, seeded and minced (about 1/4 cup)
  • 2–3 green onions, finely sliced (about 1/4 cup)
  • 1/2 cup shredded Monterey Jack or mozzarella cheese (optional)
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • 1/4 tsp black pepper
  • 1/4 tsp garlic powder (optional)
  • 4–5 large flour tortillas (10-inch size)

Instructions

  1. Soften cream cheese at room temperature for about 30 minutes.
  2. Finely chop dried cranberries, jalapeños, and green onions. Shred cheese if using.
  3. In a medium bowl, beat cream cheese until smooth. Stir in cranberries, jalapeños, green onions, shredded cheese (if using), salt, black pepper, and garlic powder. Mix until evenly combined.
  4. Lay out tortillas and divide filling evenly among them, spreading a thin layer to the edges with a spatula or butter knife. Leave a 1/2-inch border along one edge for sealing.
  5. Roll each tortilla up tightly into a log, pressing gently as you go. Wrap each log in plastic wrap or foil and refrigerate for 20–30 minutes.
  6. Unwrap chilled logs and use a sharp serrated knife to cut into 1/2-inch slices.
  7. Arrange pinwheels on a parchment-lined baking sheet or serving platter. Garnish with extra chopped cranberries or green onions if desired.
  8. Serve chilled or at room temperature.

Notes

For less heat, use only one jalapeño or substitute with green bell pepper. Chilling the rolled tortillas before slicing is essential for clean pinwheels. Use gluten-free tortillas for a GF version, and dairy-free cream cheese for vegan adaptation. Pinwheels can be made a day ahead and sliced before serving. For a warm variation, bake sliced pinwheels at 375°F for 8–10 minutes.

Nutrition

Keywords: cranberry, jalapeño, cream cheese, pinwheels, holiday appetizer, party food, easy appetizer, festive, vegetarian, finger food

Find it online: https://jodierecipes.com/cranberry-jalape-n-o-cream-cheese-pinwheels-easy-holiday-appetizer-recipe/