Orange Cranberry Cream Cheese Pinwheel Appetizers
These colorful pinwheel appetizers feature soft flour tortillas spread with garlicky cream cheese and topped with sweet dried cranberries and fresh green onions. The bright orange zest adds a citrusy pop that perfectly complements the tart cranberries. Perfect for holiday parties, potlucks, or any gathering where you need an easy make-ahead appetizer that looks impressive but requires no cooking. The contrast of creamy, sweet, and savory flavors makes these irresistible finger foods that disappear quickly from any appetizer spread.
Ingredients
Instructions
- 1
Mix cream cheese and garlic salt together until well blended
- 2
Add orange juice to cream cheese mixture
- 3
Spread mixture evenly over each tortilla
- 4
Stir together cranberries and onions in a small bowl
- 5
Sprinkle cranberry mixture over the cream cheese spread
- 6
Lightly press cranberry mixture into cream cheese
- 7
Roll up each tortilla
- 8
Trim off the ends
- 9
Cut each tortilla into about 10 even pieces using a serrated knife
- 10
Place on a platter and garnish with fresh orange zest
Tips
Use a sharp serrated knife and gentle sawing motion to prevent the pinwheels from squishing when cutting.
Chill the rolled tortillas for 30 minutes before slicing for cleaner cuts and better presentation.
Press the cranberry mixture gently into the cream cheese to help everything stick together when rolling.
Good to Know
Refrigerate covered for up to 2 days. Keep chilled until serving.
Can be assembled and rolled up to 1 day ahead. Slice just before serving for best appearance.
Arrange on a platter and serve chilled. Provide small napkins or toothpicks for easy handling.
Common Mistakes
Use room temperature cream cheese to avoid lumps in the spread.
Don't overfill the tortillas or they will be difficult to roll and may tear.
Substitutions
mentioned in source
FAQ
Can I make these ahead of time?
Yes, you can assemble and roll the tortillas up to 1 day ahead. Keep them wrapped in plastic wrap in the refrigerator and slice just before serving for the best appearance and texture.
What if I don't have dried cranberries?
You can substitute with chopped dried cherries, raisins, or even finely diced fresh cranberries. Fresh cranberries will be more tart, so you might want to add a pinch of sugar to the cream cheese mixture.
How long will these keep in the refrigerator?
These pinwheels will keep covered in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. The tortillas may start to get slightly soggy after that, so they're best enjoyed within the first day or two.