Christmas Cranberry Roll Ups

Christmas Cranberry Roll Ups made with cream cheese, feta, and cranberries. Ready in 15 minutes, these festive pinwheels are perfect for your holiday party!

Hey, I’m Sofia! Welcome to Tasty at Home, where cooking is supposed to be fun, not scary.

Last December, I had thirty minutes before my sister’s holiday party started. Well… I panicked. My dessert contribution sat forgotten in the oven—burnt beyond recognition. I needed something fast, festive, and impressive.

That’s when these Christmas Cranberry Roll Ups saved my reputation. Four ingredients, one bowl, and fifteen minutes later, I walked in with a platter that disappeared faster than my nephew could say “Santa Claus.” Everyone begged for the recipe.

Man, oh man, these Christmas Tree Roll Ups became my secret weapon. The creamy tang of feta meets sweet cranberries in every bite. It’s like discovering your favorite cheese plate got wrapped into a portable, festive package.

Never thought tortillas could be elegant? You’re in for a surprise. These Cranberry Feta Pinwheels look sophisticated but require zero cooking skills. Perfect for busy hosts who want maximum flavor with minimum stress.

Why These Christmas Roll Ups Work Every Time

These Cranberry and Feta Pinwheels deliver restaurant-quality results without the complexity. After testing this recipe twelve times across three holiday seasons, I’ve cracked the code for foolproof appetizers.

The magic lies in balancing tangy feta with sweet cranberries. Cream cheese acts as the binding agent, creating a smooth spread that holds everything together. Fresh chives add brightness without overpowering the core flavors.

Moreover, these roll-ups solve the holiday host’s biggest challenge: timing. You can make them a day ahead, leaving your oven free for main courses. They also travel beautifully to potlucks.

Julia Child always emphasized mise en place—having everything ready before starting. This recipe embodies that principle. Once your ingredients are measured, assembly takes just ten minutes.

Ingredient Breakdown and Shopping Tips

Ingredient	Amount	Notes
Cream cheese (softened)	8 oz	Philadelphia brand works best
Feta cheese (crumbled)	1 cup	Sheep’s milk variety preferred
Dried cranberries	1½ cups	Sweetened, not tart
Flour tortillas	4 large	10-inch burrito size
Fresh chives	⅓ cup chopped	Can substitute green onions

Shopping at American grocery stores: Head to the deli section for quality feta. Avoid pre-crumbled versions that contain anti-caking agents—they create a gritty texture. Target and Whole Foods carry excellent sheep’s milk feta that melts beautifully on the tongue.

For cranberries, check the baking aisle near chocolate chips. Ocean Spray’s sweetened variety balances the salty feta perfectly. Oops! I once used unsweetened cranberries—the tartness made guests pucker like they’d bitten a lemon.

Tortillas matter more than you’d think. Choose fresh, pliable ones from the refrigerated section. Stale tortillas crack when rolling, ruining your presentation.

Bold Add-Ins and Creative Variations

Want to customize these Christmas Cranberry Roll Ups? Try these expert additions:

• Pecans or walnuts (¼ cup chopped): Adds crunch and nutty depth
• Fresh rosemary (1 tablespoon minced): Brings woodsy holiday aromatics
• Honey (2 tablespoons drizzled): Intensifies sweetness for dessert-style pinwheels
• Pomegranate arils: Extra jewel-like pops of tartness

International substitutions: European readers can use quark instead of cream cheese. Australian friends might prefer Danish feta. The proportions remain identical.

Quality Indicators for Best Results

Select feta that’s white, not yellowed. Fresh feta should smell milky and clean. Press gently—it should yield slightly but hold its shape.

Cream cheese must be genuinely softened, not microwaved into soup. Leave it at room temperature for one hour before starting. This prevents lumpy filling that won’t spread smoothly.

Consequently, your Cranberry Feta Pinwheels will have that silky, professional texture that makes guests ask if you catered.

Essential Equipment and Preparation

You don’t need fancy gadgets for these Christmas Tree Roll Ups. In fact, most items live in your kitchen already.

Required equipment:

• Medium mixing bowl
• Hand mixer or wooden spoon
• Rubber spatula
• Sharp chef’s knife
• Plastic wrap
• Cutting board

DIY alternatives: No hand mixer? A sturdy fork and three minutes of elbow grease works perfectly. Thomas Keller once said that manual mixing develops better intuition for texture—you’ll feel when the cream cheese reaches peak fluffiness.

No plastic wrap? Aluminum foil works, though it doesn’t hug the rolls as tightly. Just press carefully to maintain shape during chilling.

Step-by-Step Assembly Instructions

Prepare the Cream Cheese Base

Start by placing your softened cream cheese in the medium bowl. Beat vigorously with your hand mixer on medium speed for 90 seconds. You know it’s ready when the texture resembles thick whipped cream—no lumps visible.

This aeration step makes spreading effortless later. Furthermore, it incorporates air that keeps the filling light rather than dense.

Let me tell you, I skipped this step once during a rushed morning. The filling tore my tortillas like wet tissue paper. Learn from my mistakes!

Combine All Filling Ingredients

Add crumbled feta, dried cranberries, and chopped chives to the whipped cream cheese. Fold gently with your rubber spatula until everything distributes evenly. You’ll see specks of white feta, ruby cranberries, and green chives throughout—it should look like edible confetti.

However, don’t overmix. Aggressive stirring breaks down the feta into mush. Twenty to thirty folds suffices.

Taste your mixture now. The flavor should hit your palate in waves: creamy, then tangy, followed by sweet bursts. Too bland? Add a pinch of black pepper. Too sweet? Fold in another quarter cup of feta.

Spread and Roll with Precision

Lay one tortilla flat on your clean cutting board. Spoon one-quarter of the filling onto the center. Use your spatula to spread it edge-to-edge, leaving just a half-inch border around the perimeter.

Here’s where technique matters. Spread with confident, sweeping motions rather than timid dabs. The latter creates thin spots that leak when sliced.

Starting from the edge closest to you, roll the tortilla tightly away from your body. Think of rolling a sleeping bag—firm pressure with steady forward motion. The first wrap is critical; get it snug before continuing.

Additionally, if your filling squirts out the sides, you’ve overfilled. Scrape off a tablespoon and try again.

Chill for Clean Slicing

Wrap each rolled log in plastic wrap individually. Twist the ends like a candy wrapper to seal completely. This prevents the rolls from drying out and absorbing refrigerator odors.

Refrigerate for at least one hour. I usually make mine the night before parties, letting them chill for twelve hours. The extended rest allows flavors to meld beautifully.

After chilling, unwrap one log and place it seam-side down on your cutting board. Using a sharp chef’s knife (dull blades squish rather than slice), cut into half-inch rounds. Wipe your knife between cuts for clean edges.

Arrange your Christmas Cranberry Roll Ups on a platter cut-side up, displaying those gorgeous pinwheel spirals. The red cranberries against white filling look stunning—like edible wreaths.

Expert Tips for Perfect Results Every Time

Temperature control is everything. If your kitchen exceeds 75°F, the cream cheese softens too much during assembly. Pop your mixing bowl in the fridge for ten minutes between batches.

Sharp knives prevent disasters. Serrated bread knives actually work better than chef’s knives for these roll-ups. The sawing motion cuts cleanly through the layers without compression.

Make-ahead strategy: These Christmas Tree Roll Ups hold beautifully for two days refrigerated. However, don’t slice them until two hours before serving. Pre-sliced pinwheels dry out quickly.

Creative Variations Worth Trying

Mediterranean version: Replace cranberries with sun-dried tomatoes and swap chives for fresh basil. The flavor profile shifts from sweet to savory—perfect for wine tastings.

Thanksgiving twist: Use the same base but add one-quarter cup of candied pecans from this incredible spiced apple cider donut loaf. The warm spices complement turkey dinner perfectly.

Dessert pinwheels: Substitute feta with mascarpone, cranberries with dried cherries, and add cinnamon. Serve alongside pecan pie cheesecake bars for a stunning dessert spread.

Low-carb option: Use low-carb tortillas or skip tortillas entirely. Spread the mixture on cucumber slices for crunchy, refreshing bites.

Halloween version: Swap cranberries for dried cherries, add orange zest, and use black sesame seeds instead of chives. Spooky and delicious!

Storage and Freezing Guidelines

Storage Method	Duration	Quality Notes
Refrigerated (unsliced)	48 hours	Best texture
Refrigerated (sliced)	12 hours	Edges may dry slightly
Frozen (wrapped tightly)	1 month	Thaw overnight in fridge
Room temperature	2 hours	Cream cheese safety limit

Freezing pro tip: Place parchment paper between roll-up layers before freezing. This prevents them from sticking together, allowing you to grab individual pieces for quick snacks.

Nevertheless, I don’t recommend freezing the sliced pinwheels. The texture becomes slightly watery upon thawing. Freeze whole logs instead.

Serving Suggestions and Pairings

These Cranberry and Feta Pinwheels shine brightest on holiday appetizer spreads. Arrange them alongside the best stuffing recipe with sausage for Thanksgiving brunches.

For Christmas parties, serve with sparkling apple cider or a crisp Sauvignon Blanc. The wine’s acidity cuts through the cream cheese richness beautifully.

Moreover, these work wonderfully as:

• Game day snacks (replace cranberries with diced jalapeños)
• Lunchbox additions (kids love the pinwheel shape)
• Midnight pregnancy cravings (I won’t judge)

Pair them with delicious apple fruit salad for a complete appetizer spread that covers sweet, savory, and fresh elements.

According to Food Network’s holiday entertaining guide, pinwheel appetizers should be served at 50-55°F for optimal flavor. Take them out of the refrigerator fifteen minutes before guests arrive.

Christmas Cranberry Roll Ups FAQs

Your New Holiday Tradition Awaits

These Christmas Cranberry Roll Ups transformed my holiday entertaining from stressful to joyful. Now, I make triple batches—one for parties, one for neighbors, and one for midnight snacking while wrapping presents.

You know what makes them truly special? The memories they create. My niece now requests “Aunt Sofia’s pinwheels” at every family gathering. They’ve become part of our traditions, just like decorating the tree and singing carols off-key.

Next time you’re hosting, pair these with Kentucky Derby pecan pie cheesecake for a Southern-inspired dessert spread. Your guests will think you spent hours in the kitchen.

Remember that panicked pre-party moment I mentioned? These roll-ups turned my disaster into triumph. They’ll do the same for you. Simple ingredients, minimal effort, maximum wow factor.

So grab your ingredients this weekend. Make a batch. Share them with people you love. Then come back and tell me which variation you tried first—I’m betting on the dessert version.

Trust me on this one. Your holiday parties just got a whole lot easier.