Any tips for making the pinwheels look neat?

Yes! This is the most common question. There are four secrets to neat pinwheels: 1- The Chill is Mandatory: Do not skip the 30-minute freeze. Cold, firm rolls are the only way to get a clean cut. 2- Use a Sharp, Serrated Knife: A bread knife is perfect for slicing without squishing. 3- Don't Overfill: Spread the filling in a thin, even layer. A thick layer will ooze out. 4- Roll Tightly: Squeeze the roll as you wrap it in plastic to eliminate any air gaps.

What are some good cream cheese substitutes for this recipe?

If you're not a fan of cream cheese, you have options for your pinwheel recipe: - Mascarpone: For a richer, sweeter, less tangy filling. - Goat Cheese: For a strong, tangy flavor (pairs wonderfully with the turkey/cranberry variation). - Dairy-Free: Use a high-quality, store-bought dairy-free cream cheese substitute.

What are some other festive food shaping ideas besides pinwheels?

We love festive-shaped appetizers! You can arrange almost anything in a fun shape. We love serving this christmas appetizer tree on a platter with other appetizers, like a beautiful Cranberry Brie Crostini arranged in a "wreath" shape.

What are some food safety tips for making and serving pinwheels at a party?

This is a crucial question for any pinwheel appetizers with cream cheese. - The 2-Hour Rule: Per the FDA, cream cheese-based foods should not sit at room temperature for more than 2 hours. - Party Strategy: Make your platter ahead of time and keep it in the fridge until just before guests arrive. - Serve Safe: You can serve them on a chilled platter or bring them out in smaller batches throughout the party. Always follow key food safety tips when hosting.

Easy No-Bake Christmas Tree Pinwheel Appetizer (30-Min!)

Description

The ultimate no-bake holiday appetizer! This easy Christmas Tree Pinwheel Appetizer features festive tortilla pinwheels filled with a savory red-and-green cream cheese filling.

Ingredients

Scale

For the Cream Cheese Filling:

16 oz cream cheese (2 blocks), softened to room temperature
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp onion powder
1 tsp lemon juice
1 tsp fresh dill, minced

For the Festive Mix-Ins:

¼ cup green olives, sliced
¼ cup black olives, sliced
¼ cup red peppers, finely chopped (or jarred pimientos, drained)

For Assembly:

4 large (10-inch) tortillas (use 2 plain/white and 2 green/spinach for color!)
Fresh rosemary sprigs (for garnish)
Cherry tomatoes or pomegranate seeds (for garnish)
Pretzel sticks (for tree trunk)

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Instructions

Make the Filling: In a large bowl, add the softened cream cheese, garlic powder, onion powder, and lemon juice. Blend with a hand mixer (or a strong spatula) until smooth and creamy.
Add Mix-Ins: Fold in the fresh dill, sliced green olives, sliced black olives, and finely chopped red peppers.
Spread & Roll: Lay one tortilla on a flat surface. Spread about ½ cup of the cream cheese mixture in a thin, even layer all the way to the edges.
Roll Tightly: Starting from one end, roll up the tortilla tightly and snugly to create a log.
Wrap & Chill: Wrap the tortilla log very tightly in plastic wrap, twisting the ends. Repeat for all 4 tortillas.
Chill (Mandatory): Place the wrapped rolls in the freezer for 30-60 minutes or the refrigerator for at least 2 hours. This step is essential for clean slices.
Slice: Once firm, unwrap the rolls. Use a sharp, serrated knife to slice them into ¾-inch pinwheels.
Arrange the Tree: On a large platter or serving board, arrange the pinwheel slices into the shape of a Christmas tree. Start with a wide base (8-9 pinwheels) and make each row narrower, ending with one at the top.
Garnish: Place a few pretzel sticks at the base to create a “trunk.” Garnish the “tree” with sprigs of fresh rosemary (as branches) and cherry tomato halves or pomegranate seeds (as ornaments).

Notes

Neat Slices: The secret to pinwheels that don’t squish is a cold roll and a serrated (bread) knife. Do not skip the chilling step!
Make-Ahead: You can make the uncut, wrapped rolls up to 24 hours in advance and store them in the refrigerator. Slice just before serving.
Gluten-Free: To make this gluten-free, simply use your favorite large gluten-free tortillas.
Storage: Store leftover pinwheels in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Chill Time: 30 minutes
Category: Appetizer, Snack
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 pinwheel
Calories: 65kcal
Sugar: 1g
Sodium: 105mg
Fat: 6g
Saturated Fat: 3g
Carbohydrates: 3g
Fiber: 0.2g
Protein: 1g
Cholesterol: 14mg