If you’re looking for a festive appetizer that’s both simple to make and absolutely delightful to share, the Easy Christmas Cranberry Roll-Ups Recipe is going to become your holiday star. Combining creamy, tangy cheese with the bright burst of cranberries wrapped snugly in soft tortillas, these roll-ups are a gorgeous pop of color and flavor on any party platter. They come together quickly, make-ahead friendly, and they balance sweet, savory, and herbaceous notes in a way that feels just right for the season.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This Easy Christmas Cranberry Roll-Ups Recipe shines because it uses simple, fresh ingredients that work beautifully together to create a dish that’s festive in flavor and texture. Each element plays a key role, from the creamy cheese base to the tart cranberries and the fresh herbs that bring it all to life.
- Cream cheese (16 oz, softened): This adds a rich, creamy texture that binds everything together perfectly.
- Good-quality crumbled feta cheese (2 cups): Its tangy, slightly salty punch contrasts beautifully with the sweet cranberries.
- Fresh chives (⅔ cup, finely chopped): Chives add a subtle oniony freshness, balancing the richness.
- Garlic powder (1 tsp): Adds a mild warmth without overpowering the other flavors.
- Freshly ground black pepper (½ tsp): A light peppery kick enhances the overall savory profile.
- Dried cranberries (3 cups): The star of the show, providing sweet-tart bursts that feel very festive.
- Large flour tortillas (8, 10-inch, room temperature): Soft wraps that hold all the ingredients together and make rolling easy.
- Cream cheese (4 tbsp, for sealing edges): Acts like edible glue to keep the roll-ups tight.
- Optional toasted pecans or walnuts (½ cup, chopped): Adds a irresistible crunch for more texture.
- Optional orange zest (1 tsp): Brings a bright citrus twist perfect for the holidays.
- Optional herbs swap: fresh dill and parsley: For those looking to mix up the herb flavors for variety.
How to Make Easy Christmas Cranberry Roll-Ups Recipe
Step 1: Make the Filling
The magic happens in the filling. In a large bowl, beat together the softened cream cheese, crumbled feta, finely chopped chives, garlic powder, and freshly ground black pepper until the mixture is smooth and spreadable. This creamy blend is the flavorful foundation that will carry all the delicious layers.
Step 2: Assemble the Roll-Ups
Lay out each tortilla on a clean, flat surface. Spread a thin, even layer of the cheese filling over the entire tortilla — don’t be shy, make sure each bite has a good amount. Then sprinkle the dried cranberries generously on top, pressing them lightly into the spread so they stick and won’t fall out when rolled.
Step 3: Roll and Seal
Starting from one edge, tightly roll up each tortilla so it forms a log shape. To keep everything together, spread a small dab of cream cheese along the edge of the tortilla before sealing the roll. This ensures your roll-ups won’t unravel when sliced or served. Wrap each roll tightly in plastic wrap.
Step 4: Chill the Roll-Ups
Place your wrapped roll-ups in the refrigerator for at least one hour. Chilling firms up the roll, making it much easier to slice cleanly and keeping the pinwheels intact for a gorgeous presentation.
Step 5: Slice and Prepare to Serve
Once chilled, unwrap the roll-ups and trim off the ends to create neat edges. Using a sharp serrated knife, slice each roll into about eight even pinwheels. Arrange them thoughtfully on a festive platter, ready for guests to enjoy!
How to Serve Easy Christmas Cranberry Roll-Ups Recipe
Garnishes
Fresh herbs like parsley, dill, or additional chopped chives sprinkled over the pinwheels add a fresh contrast and elevate the festive look. A light drizzle of honey can add unexpected sweetness that complements the tart cranberries beautifully. Pecan or walnut pieces scattered around give a nice crunch and rustic charm.
Side Dishes
These roll-ups pair wonderfully with light, fresh side dishes. Think crisp green salads with a citrus vinaigrette or a simple bowl of mixed olives. They also complement heartier mains like roasted turkey or ham, making them perfect for Christmas dinner or any holiday feast.
Creative Ways to Present
For a truly show-stopping appetizer table, try arranging your Easy Christmas Cranberry Roll-Ups Recipe pinwheels on a large wooden board surrounded by sprigs of fresh rosemary, whole cranberries, and nuts. You can also thread them onto skewers with small cubes of cheese and greens for festive bites on sticks. Presentation is your chance to spread cheer visually as well as gastronomically!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Keep any leftover roll-ups wrapped tightly in plastic wrap or in an airtight container in the refrigerator. They will stay fresh and delicious for up to three days, making this recipe a great option for prepping in advance of your holiday gatherings.
Freezing
While these roll-ups are best enjoyed fresh, you can freeze the assembled but unchilled rolls wrapped tightly in plastic, then in foil for up to a month. When ready to serve, thaw them overnight in the refrigerator before slicing. Keep in mind that the texture may be slightly different but still tasty.
Reheating
This recipe is best served cold or at room temperature, so reheating isn’t necessary. However, if you prefer a softer texture, let your roll-ups rest outside the fridge for 20–30 minutes before serving for the perfect bite.
FAQs
Can I use different cheeses in the Easy Christmas Cranberry Roll-Ups Recipe?
Absolutely! While cream cheese and feta create a perfect balance of creamy and tangy, you can experiment with goat cheese or ricotta for different flavor profiles. Just make sure your cheese is spreadable enough to hold the roll together.
Are these roll-ups gluten-free?
The traditional recipe uses flour tortillas, which contain gluten. To make this gluten-free, substitute with gluten-free tortillas or wraps available in most stores. The rest of the ingredients are naturally gluten-free.
How far ahead can I make these roll-ups?
You can prepare the roll-ups up to 24 hours in advance. Keeping them chilled ensures they stay fresh and slice beautifully at serving time, making your holiday prep much easier.
Can I add nuts directly into the filling?
Definitely! Adding toasted, chopped pecans or walnuts into the cheese mixture adds wonderful crunch and depth. Just fold them in gently before spreading the filling on the tortillas.
What can I use instead of dried cranberries?
If you want a twist, try dried cherries or even small bits of fresh pomegranate seeds when in season. Both add a similar festive tartness and vibrant color that works perfectly with this recipe.
Final Thoughts
There’s something so joyful about sharing a plate full of vibrant, flavorful bites that come together quickly and look stunning. The Easy Christmas Cranberry Roll-Ups Recipe is a total winner for holiday entertaining — it’s easy, make-ahead friendly, and packed with festive flavors everyone will love. Give it a try and watch these pinwheels disappear fast at your next gathering!
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Easy Christmas Cranberry Roll-Ups Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
- Yield: 64 pinwheels (8 roll-ups sliced into 8 pieces each)
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Easy Christmas Cranberry Roll-Ups are a festive, make-ahead appetizer combining creamy cheese filling, tart dried cranberries, and soft flour tortillas. These colorful pinwheels are simple to prepare, perfect for holiday entertaining, and customizable with nuts or fresh herbs to add extra flavor and texture.
Ingredients
Creamy Filling
- 16 oz cream cheese, softened
- 2 cups good-quality crumbled feta cheese
- ⅔ 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, to swap for chives or garnish)
Instructions
- Make the Filling: In a large bowl, beat together softened cream cheese, crumbled feta cheese, finely chopped fresh chives, garlic powder, and freshly ground black pepper until smooth and spreadable. This creamy mixture forms the base of the roll-ups.
- Assemble the Roll-Ups: Spread a thin, even layer of the cheese mixture over each flour tortilla. Then sprinkle generously with dried cranberries, pressing lightly so they stick to the cheese layer for even flavor in every bite.
- Roll & Seal: Tightly roll up each tortilla into a log shape. Use a little of the extra cream cheese along the edge of each wrap to seal the ends and prevent unrolling. Wrap each roll tightly in plastic wrap to maintain shape.
- Chill: Refrigerate the wrapped roll-ups for at least 1 hour. Chilling firms up the filling, making the roll-ups easier to slice cleanly and helping flavors to meld together.
- Slice & Serve: After chilling, remove plastic wrap and trim off the ends of each roll. Using a sharp serrated knife, slice each roll into 8 pinwheels. Arrange the pinwheels on a serving platter and optionally garnish with extra fresh herbs like dill or parsley for a pretty presentation.
Notes
- For added crunch, mix in ½ cup chopped toasted pecans or walnuts into the filling.
- Add 1 tsp orange zest to the cheese mixture for a bright citrus flavor.
- Swap chives for a mix of fresh dill and parsley for a fresh herbal twist.
- These roll-ups can be made a day ahead and stored in the refrigerator wrapped tightly to save prep time on the day of serving.
- Use a serrated knife to slice the roll-ups to avoid squashing the pinwheels and to get clean edges.
