These Savory Christmas Cranberry Roll-Ups are the kind of easy holiday appetizer you’ll make on repeat.
Table of Contents
Creamy whipped cream cheese, salty feta, sweet-tart dried cranberries, and fresh chives get rolled inside soft flour tortillas, then chilled and sliced into festive pinwheels. They’re quick, no-cook, and perfect for parties, potlucks, and Christmas Eve grazing boards.
Savory Christmas Cranberry Roll
Equipment
- Oven
- baking tray
- parchment paper
- Rolling Pin
- Knife
- brush (for egg wash)
Ingredients
- 1 sheet puff pastry, thawed
- ½ cup cream cheese, softened
- ½ cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- ½ cup dried cranberries
- ¼ cup chopped walnuts
- 1 egg, beaten (for egg wash)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking tray with parchment paper.
- Unroll the puff pastry sheet on a floured surface and spread softened cream cheese evenly over it.
- Sprinkle shredded mozzarella, dried cranberries, and chopped walnuts evenly over the cream cheese layer.
- Carefully roll the puff pastry into a log, then slice into 1-inch thick pieces.
- Place the slices flat on the prepared tray and brush the tops with beaten egg.
- Bake for 20–25 minutes or until golden brown. Serve warm.
Notes
Why Make This Recipe
- No cooking, minimal mess: Mix, roll, chill, slice done.
- Make-ahead friendly: Prep the rolls a day before and slice right before serving.
- Festive colors & flavor: Red cranberries + green herbs look like Christmas.
- Crowd-pleaser: Creamy, tangy, a little sweet great for both kids and adults.
- Budget friendly: Simple pantry ingredients stretch to feed a crowd.
How to Make Savory Christmas Cranberry Roll-Ups
Ingredients
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup feta cheese, crumbled
- 1 1/2 cups dried cranberries, finely chopped
- 1/3 cup fresh chives, chopped (green onion or dill also work)
- 4 large flour tortillas (10-inch; avoid corn tortillas)
Directions
- Whip the base: In a bowl, beat softened cream cheese until smooth and fluffy.
- Mix the filling: Stir in feta, chopped cranberries, and chives until evenly combined.
- Assemble: Spread ~1/2 cup filling over each tortilla in a thin, even layer. Roll up tightly into logs.
- Chill: Wrap each roll in plastic wrap and refrigerate at least 1 hour (up to 24 hours).
- Slice & serve: Unwrap and slice into 1/2-inch rounds with a serrated knife. Arrange cut-side up.
How to Serve Savory Christmas Cranberry Roll-Ups
Pile the pinwheels onto a platter and garnish with extra chives. Add them to a holiday charcuterie board with nuts, grapes, crackers, and a small dish of honey or hot honey for drizzling. They pair perfectly with sparkling mocktails or cranberry punch.
How to Store Savory Christmas Cranberry Roll-Ups
- Before slicing: Keep the rolled logs wrapped and refrigerated up to 3 days.
- After slicing: Store in an airtight container (single layer or with parchment between layers) up to 3 days.
- Do not freeze: Cream cheese can become grainy after thawing.
Tips to Make Savory Christmas Cranberry Roll-Ups
- Room-temp cream cheese mixes silky-smooth.
- Chop cranberries very small for clean slices and even flavor.
- Roll tightly so pinwheels hold their shape.
- Use a serrated knife and gentle sawing motion don’t press down.
- Warm tortillas 5–10 seconds if they feel stiff or crack.
Variation
- Cherry twist: Swap cranberries for dried cherries.
- Nutty crunch: Add 1/4–1/3 cup finely chopped pecans or walnuts.
- Sweet-spicy: Stir in a pinch of crushed red pepper flakes.
- Holiday colors: Use spinach or sun-dried tomato flour tortillas.
FAQs
Can I make these ahead?
Yes roll up to 1 day ahead, keep wrapped, and slice just before serving.
Can I use different tortillas?
Flour tortillas work best. Flavored flour tortillas (spinach, tomato-basil) are great. Corn tortillas tend to crack.
What’s a good substitute for feta?
Goat cheese gives a tangy, creamy result. Ricotta works for a milder flavor drain it first so the filling isn’t too soft.