Savory Christmas Cranberry Roll Ups Recipe

Festive Savory Christmas Cranberry Roll Ups Recipe – Irresistible!

Crafting these delectable cranberry roll ups brings a festive spark to holiday gatherings.

Small bites pack incredible flavor with minimal effort.

Creamy cheese and tangy cranberries dance together in each delightful spiral.

Guests will adore these simple yet impressive appetizers that feel both elegant and comforting.

Quick preparation means you can focus on enjoying time with loved ones.

Little hands can help assemble these crowd-pleasing treats, making them a fun family activity.

Rich cream cheese and zesty cranberry sauce create a perfect balance of smooth and tart.

Serve these delightful rolls and watch everyone’s faces light up with pure culinary joy.

Savory Christmas Cranberry Roll Ups Everyone Will Love

  • Blend tangy feta, sweet cranberries, and creamy cheese for a taste sensation that'll impress guests at any gathering.
  • Prepare these appetizers hours or even a day before your event, reducing last-minute kitchen stress and allowing flavors to meld beautifully.
  • Easily customize with different nuts or herbs, making these roll-ups adaptable for various dietary preferences and seasonal celebrations.

What You’ll Need for Cranberry Roll Ups This Holiday

Cheese and Dairy:
  • Cream Cheese: Soft base for the filling, provides creamy texture and rich flavor. Full-fat version works best for rich consistency.
  • Feta Cheese: Adds tangy, salty notes to complement the other ingredients. Choose crumbled or crumble by hand.
Filling Ingredients:
  • Cranberries: Tart and festive fruit that adds holiday color and bright flavor. Fresh or dried work well.
  • Green Onions: Provides mild onion flavor and fresh crunch. Finely chop for even distribution.
  • Nuts: Optional ingredient that adds texture and nutty depth. Pecans or walnuts are classic choices.
Wrap and Seasoning:
  • Spinach Tortillas: Soft wrap with green color for visual appeal. Ensures easy rolling and attractive presentation.
  • Garlic Powder: Adds warm, savory undertone to the filling. Enhances overall flavor profile.
  • Salt: Balances and heightens the flavors of other ingredients. Use kosher or sea salt for best taste.
  • Black Pepper: Provides subtle heat and complexity to the filling. Freshly ground pepper recommended.
Wrapping and Serving:
  • Plastic Wrap: Used for chilling and maintaining roll shape. Clear kitchen plastic wrap works best.

Making Savory Christmas Cranberry Roll Ups

Step 1: Whip Up The Creamy Base

In a mixing bowl, blend cream cheese until smooth and silky. Add in:
  • Crumbled feta cheese
  • Chopped cranberries
  • Sliced green onions
  • Chopped nuts
  • Garlic powder
  • Salt
  • Black pepper

Stir everything together until ingredients dance harmoniously.

Step 2: Create Rolling Magic

Place spinach tortilla on a clean surface. Spread the cranberry cheese mixture evenly across the tortilla, leaving a small border around the edges. Roll the tortilla tightly into a compact log. Repeat this process with remaining tortillas.

Step 3: Chill And Set

Wrap each rolled tortilla securely in plastic wrap. Place in refrigerator for at least one hour. This cooling time helps the filling firm up and makes slicing a breeze.

Step 4: Transform Into Pinwheels

Remove rolls from refrigerator and unwrap. Using a sharp knife, slice each roll into delicate one-inch rounds. Arrange these colorful pinwheels on a festive serving platter.

Step 5: Serve And Enjoy

Plate your cranberry cheese pinwheels and watch guests delight in these elegant, bite-sized treats perfect for holiday gatherings.

Tips to Keep Cranberry Roll Ups Crisp and Flavorful

  • Optimize Cream Cheese Texture: Ensure cream cheese is at room temperature for easier mixing and a smoother, creamier filling that blends perfectly with other ingredients.
  • Customize Nut Options: Swap or omit nuts to accommodate allergies or personal preferences while maintaining the roll-ups' delicious flavor profile.
  • Perfect Tight Rolling Technique: Gently press and roll tortillas with consistent pressure to create compact, neat pinwheels that hold their shape when sliced.
  • Advance Preparation Strategy: Make roll-ups a day ahead and store in the refrigerator to enhance flavors and reduce last-minute party prep stress.
  • Slice with Precision: Use a sharp, clean knife and wipe between cuts to create clean, attractive pinwheel edges that look professional and appetizing.

Store and Reheat Savory Christmas Cranberry Roll Ups Easily

  • Store leftover roll-ups in an airtight container, placing wax paper between layers to prevent sticking, for up to 3 days in the refrigerator.
  • Cover each roll-up individually with plastic wrap or aluminum foil to maintain freshness and prevent drying out.
  • Warm pinwheels in the microwave for 15-20 seconds or let them sit at room temperature for 10-15 minutes before serving to restore their soft texture.
  • These roll-ups are best enjoyed fresh, as freezing may compromise the cream cheese and tortilla texture, leading to soggy results.

Serve These Alongside Cranberry Roll Ups for the Ultimate Spread

  • Pairing Powerhouses for Cranberry Roll-Ups
  • Crisp prosecco or champagne cuts through the creamy cheese, complementing the tangy cranberry and providing a festive holiday fizz.
  • A medium-bodied pinot noir balances the rich cream cheese and adds depth to the cranberry's bright flavor, creating a sophisticated taste experience.
  • A rosemary gin cocktail echoes the green onion notes while offering a refreshing contrast to the roll-ups' creamy texture.
  • Cranberry spritzer with fresh mint elevates the appetizer's fruity profile, delivering a non-alcoholic celebration drink that mirrors the roll-ups' ingredients.

Try These Additions in Your Savory Christmas Cranberry Roll Ups

  • Gluten-Free Option: Swap spinach tortillas with gluten-free wraps made from rice or corn. Ensure all ingredients are certified gluten-free for celiac-friendly appetizers.
  • Dairy-Free Adaptation: Replace cream cheese and feta with cashew-based soft cheese or dairy-free cream cheese alternatives. Use nutritional yeast for extra savory flavor.
  • Vegan Version: Substitute dairy cheese with almond-based cheese, remove feta, and use plant-based cream cheese. Add extra herbs like chives or dill to enhance flavor complexity.
  • Low-Carb Approach: Use large lettuce leaves or thinly sliced zucchini instead of tortillas. Increase nuts and reduce cranberries to maintain low-carbohydrate profile while keeping appetizer texture appealing.
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Savory Christmas Cranberry Roll Ups Recipe

Savory Christmas Cranberry Roll Ups Recipe


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4.7 from 17 reviews

  • Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
  • Yield: 8 1x

Description

Festive holiday parties welcome these delightful Christmas Cranberry Roll Ups, bringing zesty cranberry and cream cheese magic to appetizer tables. Guests will crave these easy-to-make, crowd-pleasing bites that perfectly blend tangy and creamy flavors for seasonal celebrations.


Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients:

  • 4 large spinach tortillas
  • 8 ounces (226 grams) cream cheese, softened
  • 4 ounces (113 grams) feta cheese, crumbled
  • 1 cup (150 grams) dried cranberries, coarsely chopped

Herbs and Seasonings:

  • ¼ cup (40 grams) green onions, finely chopped
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • ¼ teaspoon black pepper

Optional Add-ins:

  • ¼ cup (30 grams) pecans or walnuts, finely chopped (optional)

Instructions

  1. Craft the decadent filling by whipping cream cheese until airy and smooth, incorporating crumbled feta, vibrant chopped cranberries, zesty green onions, optional crunchy nuts, subtle garlic powder, and a delicate balance of salt and pepper. Ensure all ingredients meld together seamlessly.
  2. Gently unfurl each spinach tortilla onto a pristine workspace, spreading the luscious cranberry-cheese mixture edge to edge, leaving a slender margin around the perimeter for clean rolling.
  3. Roll the tortilla with precision, creating a tight, compact cylinder that encapsulates the rich filling. Repeat the process for each remaining tortilla.
  4. Encase each rolled creation in protective plastic wrap, securing the edges to maintain structural integrity.
  5. Allow the roll-ups to rest and solidify in the refrigerator’s cool embrace for a minimum of 60 minutes, enabling the filling to set and enhancing slicing precision.
  6. Retrieve the chilled rolls, carefully unwrap, and employ a razor-sharp knife to slice into elegant one-inch pinwheel segments.
  7. Artfully arrange the pinwheels on a festive serving platter, presenting a visually stunning and palate-pleasing holiday appetizer.

Notes

  • Customize the heat level by adjusting the garlic powder and black pepper for a personalized flavor profile.
  • Replace feta with goat cheese or blue cheese for a different tangy twist that complements the cranberries.
  • Opt for whole wheat or gluten-free tortillas to accommodate dietary restrictions while maintaining the appetizer’s delicious essence.
  • Toast nuts lightly before adding to enhance their nutty flavor and provide a delightful crunch to the roll-ups.
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 1 hour
  • Category: Appetizer, Snacks
  • Method: Blending
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 8
  • Calories: 215
  • Sugar: 8 g
  • Sodium: 230 mg
  • Fat: 14 g
  • Saturated Fat: 6 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 22 g
  • Fiber: 2 g
  • Protein: 5 g
  • Cholesterol: 30 mg
Daves Miller

Daves Miller

Contributing Chef & Culinary Educator

Expertise

  • American Southern cuisine with a modern twist.
  • Instruction in culinary fundamentals and advanced techniques.
  • Development of recipes that highlight seasonal and local produce.​
  • Mastery of artisanal bread and pastry techniques, from laminated doughs to decorative sugar artistry.

Education

Sullivan University, Louisville, Kentucky

  • Degree: Associate of Science Degree in Culinary Arts
  • Focus: Specialized in cooking techniques and culinary sciences, hands‑on externships, professional kitchen lab training, and career preparation for restaurants, entrepreneurship, and global culinary opportunities.

White Mountains Community College, Berlin, New Hampshire

  • Program: Baking and Pastry Arts degree
  • Focus: Specialized in comprehensive baking and pastry arts, including bread making, artisan breads, cake decorating and design, chocolates, confections, and decorative centerpieces; product development and baking theory; and career preparation for baker and pastry chef roles in many places.

Daves is the friendly face guiding you through flavorful, fuss-free recipes at Picture Perfect Meals. 

He studied culinary arts at Sullivan University and embraced Baking and Pastry Arts at White Mountains Community College. Daves specializes in comforting meals with vibrant flavors, highlighting fresh, seasonal ingredients.

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