Nothing gets me more into the holiday spirit than whipping up some Easy Christmas Cranberry Roll-Ups: A Festive Make-Ahead Appetizer Recipe. This vibrant, tangy, and creamy treat comes together so effortlessly, making it the ultimate party pleaser that friends and family will rave about. With its colorful cranberries, luscious cheese filling, and those soft flour tortillas, it’s a delightful combination of flavors and textures that brighten any festive table. Plus, it’s all made ahead, so you can relax and enjoy the celebration without last-minute stress!
Ingredients You’ll Need
What I love about this recipe is how straightforward yet flavorful each ingredient is. They work beautifully together to create a balance of creamy, tangy, and sweet notes, as well as a gorgeous pop of color that feels just right for the holidays.
- Cream cheese (16 oz, softened): The creamy base that holds everything together with a smooth, rich texture.
- Good-quality crumbled feta cheese (2 cups): Adds a pleasant tang and crumbly contrast to the cream cheese.
- Fresh chives (â…” cup, finely chopped): Bright, mild onion flavor that freshens up the filling perfectly.
- Garlic powder (1 tsp): Gives a subtle depth of savory warmth without overpowering.
- Freshly ground black pepper (½ tsp): Enhances the flavor with a little kick.
- Dried cranberries (3 cups): Sweet-tart jewels that bring festive color and chewiness.
- Large flour tortillas (8, 10-inch, room temperature): Soft yet sturdy wraps that make rolling easy and neat.
- Cream cheese (4 tbsp, for sealing edges): Acts like edible glue to keep the roll-ups tight and tidy.
- Optional toasted pecans or walnuts (½ cup): Provides irresistible crunch for added texture.
- Optional orange zest (1 tsp): A citrus zing that brightens the whole recipe and smells amazing.
- Optional herb swap (dill and parsley instead of chives): For a fresh herbal twist that complements the cheese beautifully.
How to Make Easy Christmas Cranberry Roll-Ups: A Festive Make-Ahead Appetizer Recipe
Step 1: Make the Filling
Start by beating the softened cream cheese and crumbled feta cheese together in a large bowl until you get a smooth, creamy mixture. Incorporate the finely chopped chives, garlic powder, and freshly ground black pepper for a touch of flavor complexity that makes this filling irresistible.
Step 2: Assemble the Roll-Ups
Lay your tortillas flat and spread a thin, even layer of the cheese mixture over each one. Don’t be shy with the filling, but make sure it’s even, so every bite is balanced. Next, sprinkle the dried cranberries generously across the cheese, pressing them lightly so they stick and won’t fall out when you roll the tortillas.
Step 3: Roll & Seal
Now comes the fun part: rolling! Tightly roll up each tortilla, making sure to keep the filling snug inside. Use a little extra cream cheese along one edge to act like a sealant, ensuring your roll-ups won’t unravel later. For an extra touch of flavor and crunch, consider adding chopped toasted nuts or that zesty orange peel right into the filling before rolling.
Step 4: Chill
Wrap each roll tightly in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least one hour. This chilling time firm ups the cheese filling, making it much easier to slice the roll-ups cleanly without squishing or falling apart.
Step 5: Slice & Serve
Finally, trim the ends off your chilled rolls to reveal their beautiful swirls. Using a sharp serrated knife, slice each roll into eight even pinwheels. Arrange them on a festive platter, maybe garnish with extra fresh herbs, and get ready for all the compliments that are about to come your way!
How to Serve Easy Christmas Cranberry Roll-Ups: A Festive Make-Ahead Appetizer Recipe
Garnishes
Adding a sprinkle of fresh herbs like parsley, dill, or additional chives on top of your roll-ups not only brightens their appearance but also adds a fresh aroma and slight flavor boost. A few whole cranberries or a dusting of orange zest can make the presentation pop, too.
Side Dishes
These roll-ups pair wonderfully with other holiday favorites such as a crisp green salad, roasted nuts, or a bowl of mixed olives. They also complement a charcuterie board featuring cured meats and cheeses, offering a sweet-savory contrast that guests will love.
Creative Ways to Present
Think beyond the platter! You can thread the pinwheels onto elegant cocktail picks or display them in a festive muffin tin or on skewers arranged like a wreath for a truly eye-catching holiday centerpiece. These creative presentations add fun and make serving a breeze at your party.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store any leftover roll-ups in an airtight container in the refrigerator. They’ll stay fresh for up to 3 days, making them perfect for snacking the next day or even as a quick holiday lunch.
Freezing
While freezing isn’t ideal for these roll-ups due to their fresh textures, you can freeze the filling mixture on its own. Thaw it in the fridge and proceed with assembling the roll-ups fresh whenever you need a quick festive appetizer.
Reheating
Since these are best enjoyed cold or at room temperature to keep the cranberries and cheese filling intact, reheating is not recommended. Just take them out of the fridge about 15 minutes before serving to let the flavors mellow and soften slightly.
FAQs
Can I substitute the feta cheese?
Absolutely! If feta isn’t your favorite, try using goat cheese for a similar tangy creaminess or even a ricotta blend for a milder flavor. The dish is flexible and forgiving.
Can I make these roll-ups vegan or dairy-free?
Yes, swap the cream cheese and feta for vegan cheese alternatives and make sure your tortillas do not contain any animal products. The cranberries and herbs will keep the festive taste intact!
How far in advance can I prepare these appetizers?
They’re perfect for making up to 24 hours ahead. Just keep them tightly wrapped and chilled to maintain freshness and ease of slicing before serving.
Can I use fresh cranberries instead of dried?
Fresh cranberries are quite tart and firm, so they’re less ideal unless you sweeten and soften them first. Dried cranberries give you that perfect chewiness and sweetness that works best here.
What if I don’t have flour tortillas?
You can experiment with whole wheat or spinach tortillas for added color and nutrition. Just be sure they’re soft and pliable to roll easily without cracking.
Final Thoughts
I truly hope you’ll give this Easy Christmas Cranberry Roll-Ups: A Festive Make-Ahead Appetizer Recipe a try this holiday season. It’s one of those beautifully simple dishes that feels so special, making party prep stress-free while impressing your guests with every bite. Once you assemble these little pinwheels, you’ll wonder how you ever celebrated without them!
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Easy Christmas Cranberry Roll-Ups: A Festive Make-Ahead Appetizer Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
- Yield: 64 pinwheels (8 tortillas × 8 slices each)
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Easy Christmas Cranberry Roll-Ups are a festive and make-ahead appetizer perfect for holiday gatherings. These savory and sweet pinwheels feature a creamy cheese filling blended with feta and fresh chives, combined with tart dried cranberries. Wrapped in soft flour tortillas, these roll-ups are chilled for easy slicing and serve as a colorful, crowd-pleasing finger food.
Ingredients
Creamy Filling
- 16 oz cream cheese, softened
- 2 cups good-quality crumbled feta cheese
- â…” cup finely chopped fresh chives (or green onion tops)
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp freshly ground black pepper
Assembly
- 3 cups dried cranberries (Craisins or similar)
- 8 large flour tortillas (10-inch, room temperature)
- 4 tbsp cream cheese (for sealing edges)
- ½ cup chopped toasted pecans or walnuts (optional, for crunch)
- 1 tsp orange zest (optional, for a citrusy holiday touch)
- Fresh dill and parsley (optional, can swap for chives for herb variety)
Instructions
- Make the Filling: In a large bowl, beat together the softened cream cheese, crumbled feta, chopped chives, garlic powder, and freshly ground black pepper until the mixture is smooth and spreadable.
- Assemble the Roll-Ups: Lay each flour tortilla flat and spread a thin, even layer of the cheese mixture over the entire surface. Then, sprinkle dried cranberries generously across the cheese layer, pressing them lightly so they stick well.
- Roll & Seal: Roll each tortilla up tightly to form a log. Use a small amount of cream cheese along the edge to seal the roll and prevent it from unrolling. Wrap each roll tightly in plastic wrap.
- Chill: Refrigerate the wrapped roll-ups for at least 1 hour. This chilling step firms up the rolls and makes slicing easier and cleaner.
- Slice & Serve: Remove the plastic wrap and trim off the ends of each roll. Using a sharp serrated knife, slice each roll into 8 even pinwheels. Arrange the pinwheels on a serving platter and garnish with extra herbs such as fresh dill or parsley, if desired.
Notes
- For added crunch, mix in ½ cup chopped toasted pecans or walnuts into the cream cheese filling before spreading.
- To add a citrusy note, stir 1 tsp of orange zest into the cheese mixture.
- Try swapping out chives for a combination of fresh dill and parsley to vary the herb flavor profile.
- These roll-ups can be prepared a day in advance and stored wrapped in the refrigerator.
- Use high-quality dried cranberries for the best flavor contrast with the creamy filling.
