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These cranberry and brie Puff Pastry Pinwheels are one of my favorite holiday appetizers! Sweet, buttery, and flaky puff pastry rolled up with brie cheese, dried cranberries, nuts, and a drizzle of honey, then baked into perfectly crisp pinwheels.
Puff Pastry Pinwheels Recipe
As we eagerly await the Holidays, it’s time to unveil my cherished holiday gem: an appetizer, dessert, and snack all rolled into one delectable pinwheel. If you’ve tried my pie crust cookies, prepare to be equally pleased with this variant!
For a standout holiday appetizer, look no further than these Cranberry Brie Puff Pastry Pinwheels. Imagine the delicate layers of flaky puff pastry wrapped around creamy brie, tangy dried cranberries, and crunchy nuts, drizzled with a touch of honey, then baked to crispy, golden perfection. Simplicity reigns supreme with these pinwheels, and they’re easy to make.
Why I Love These Puff Pastry Pinwheels
- Festive Flavors: These pinwheels summarize the flavors of winter, blending the creamy richness of brie with the tart zing of cranberries.
- Effortless Elegance: Despite their gourmet appearance, these treats are surprisingly simple to make, perfect for impressing guests without stress.
- Versatile Serving: Puff pastry pinwheels can transition from a sophisticated appetizer to a dessert or a mid-party snack.
- Crowd-Pleaser: Simple flavors ensure that these cranberry pinwheels will be a hit with guests of all ages and preferences.
- Make-Ahead Magic: Perfect for planners, these sweet, slightly tangy, and absolutely delicious pinwheels can be prepped in advance and baked fresh!
Recipe Ingredients
This puff pastry pinwheels recipe is made with simple ingredients like buttery puff pastry, creamy Brie, and sweet cranberries. Take a look at the notes below for substitutes, but please scroll down to the recipe card for the full amounts and directions.
- Frozen Puff Pastry: If puff pastry isn’t available, crescent roll dough or pie dough can work as a substitute.
- Butter: Adds a golden, crispy finish and a buttery flavor.
- Brie Cheese: The creamy filling that pairs perfectly with the cranberries! Camembert can be used instead.
- Dried Cranberries: Adds a sweet and tart contrast to the cheese. Substitute with dried cherries or raisins if cranberries aren’t available.
- Walnuts: Pecans or almonds are great alternatives or sunflower seeds for a nut-free option.
- Honey: Adds a natural sweetness and ties all the flavors together. Maple syrup or agave nectar can be used as a substitute.
- Powdered Sugar (Optional): A light dusting adds a touch of sweetness and a festive look to the finished pinwheels.
How To Make Puff Pastry Pinwheels
Cranberry Brie Pinwheels are real easy to make, and dessert doesn’t get much better than these sweet and savory confections. This recipe has simple ingredients that yield a tasty, flaky, cheesy, and sweet snack. Requiring very little effort and time, they start with store-bought puff pastry, soft brie cheese, dried cranberries, nuts, and honey.
- Thaw. First, you want to thaw out the puff pastry. Then, roll it out and brush it with melted butter.
- Prep the cheese. Next, cut up the brie cheese into small cubes and arrange over the puff pastry. I also recommend removing the rind from the cheese.
- Layer the cranberries. Sprinkle dried cranberries and chopped nuts over the cheese, and add a drizzle of honey.
- Roll it up. Roll up the pastry as tight as you can and put it in the freezer for 15 to 20 minutes. This will make it much easier to cut through.
- Cut the puff pastry into pinwheels. Brush melted butter over the entire log, and using a sharp knife, cut it into 12 pinwheels. I suggest using a serrated knife and just cutting right through, trying not to move the knife in a back-and-forth motion.
- Bake. Transfer the pinwheels to a lined baking sheet and bake for around 20-ish minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and pastry is golden brown.
- Cool and serve. Remove the puff pastry pinwheels from the oven and let sit on the baking sheet for a couple of minutes before serving.
Can You Make Pinwheels The Day Before?
Yes, these pinwheels are great for prepping a day or two in advance but keep them refrigerated. Then just pop them in the oven about 30 minutes before you’re ready to serve them. You can also freeze the unbaked roll for up to a month.
Recipe Tips
- Rind Removal: For a smoother texture in your pinwheels, consider removing the rind from the brie cheese.
- Rolling Technique: To ensure even layers, roll the pastry tightly. This will also help the puff pastry pinwheels hold their shape while baking.
- Chill First: If you want perfectly shaped pinwheels, consider chilling the rolled log in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes before slicing. This will firm up the butter in the puff pastry, making it easier to cut.
- Even Slicing: Use a sharp knife or even a piece of dental floss to slice the roll into pinwheels.
- Spacing: Don’t overcrowd the baking sheet. Give each pinwheel some space to expand and become crispy.
- Keep an Eye Out: Puff pastry can go from perfectly golden to overdone quickly. Regularly check them towards the end of the baking time.
Serving Suggestions
These cranberry brie Puff Pastry Pinwheels are a versatile addition to your holiday spread. Serve them warm as an elegant appetizer next to roasted chestnuts, perhaps accompanied by a cranberry dipping sauce or spicy honey mustard to enhance their flavors.
Alternatively, include them on a festive cookie tray alongside other holiday treats like spiced nuts, pignoli cookies, and dark chocolate truffles. Don’t forget the homemade eggnog to wash it all down beautifully!
How To Store
- You can keep the pinwheels at room temperature for 2 days or place them in airtight containers and store in the fridge for up to 4 days.
- To freeze, arrange the puff pastry pinwheels on a baking sheet, then place in the freezer until completely frozen. Store pinwheels in freezer bags and keep in the freezer for up to 1 month.
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Puff Pastry Pinwheels
Ingredients
- 1 sheet frozen puff pastry, thawed
- 3 tablespoons butter, melted, divided
- 4 ounces Brie cheese, rind mostly removed and cheese diced
- ¾ cup dried cranberries, finely chopped
- ½ cup finely chopped walnuts
- 2 tablespoons honey
- powdered sugar, for dusting (optional)
Instructions
- Prep. Preheat the oven to 375˚F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.
- Prepare the puff pastry. Unroll the puff pastry on a clean work surface and brush with about a tablespoon of melted butter.
- Add the cheese, walnuts, and cranberries. Add the diced brie, cranberries, and nuts evenly over the pastry. Drizzle the honey over the cheese, cranberries, and nuts.
- Roll it up and place it in the freezer. Starting at the long end, roll the pastry up as tightly as possible. Place it in the freezer for 15 minutes to firm up.
- Brush with butter. Remove the puff pastry log from the freezer and brush it with the remaining melted butter. Using a sharp knife, cut it into 12 pinwheels.
- Bake. Transfer the pinwheels to the baking sheet and bake for 18 to 20 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and the pastry is golden brown.
- Serve. Remove the puff pastry pinwheels from the oven and let them rest for a minute. Transfer them to a serving plate, dust with powdered sugar, and serve warm.
Notes
- To Make Ahead: Prepare through step #6. Place the pinwheels on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Cover and keep in the fridge for up to 2 days. When ready to bake, preheat the oven and bake pinwheels as directed.
- Rind Preference: Consider removing the brie rind for a smoother texture.
- Tight Roll: Ensure a tight roll for even layers and better shape.
- Sharp Knife: Use a sharp knife for clean, even slices.
- Chill Before Cutting: Refrigerate the roll for 15 to 30 mins for neater slices.
- Avoid Overcrowding: Space out pinwheels on the baking sheet.
- Monitor Baking: Puff pastry can brown quickly, so keep an eye on it.
Nutrition
Nutritional info is an estimate and provided as courtesy. Values may vary according to the ingredients and tools used. Please use your preferred nutritional calculator for more detailed info.
I want to bake and take to a party tonite. Should I reheat before serving or serve at room temp? Thanks they sound delicious.
Have you ever substituted pecans for the walnuts? This just sounds like a winner and I canโt wait to try.
Hi!
I sure have and it’s just as delicious. A little different taste profile than with the walnuts because pecans are sweeter, but definitely delicious.
Easy and elegant recipe! All my guests loved them. Just a side note if youโre having a larger gathering, one pastry only makes 12 and guests usually what more than 1!
Can I make this with a dough sheet?
Couldnโt you just prep through step 7 and wrap it until ready, then baste, cut and put on the sheet pan? Saving limited space in the fridge during holiday cooking time?
I think that should be OK, but don’t brush the top with butter (step 7); do that just before baking.
Under the storing section about freezing, is that for before or after theyโre baked?
That’s for after they are baked.
Hoping you see this soon as Turkey Day is in two days and I just found this recipe. Can you use fresh cranberries? If so should I alter anything to compensate for their tartness when dried are sweet.
Hi!
I haven’t tested this recipe with fresh cranberries so I really can’t say how well that would work.
Kim,
Did you use fresh cranberries? How did it turn out?
Im definitely going to try this one, sounds delicious.
I usually make pinwheels with cheese, pineapple and ham. My family loves that.
I hope everyone enjoys it! Thank YOU! ๐
This didnโt go so well for me. The flavor was good, but my pinwheels all unrolled in the oven., sadly. I felt like had rolled them tightly, so if youโre have any tips, Iโd be willing to try again.
Oh I’m so sorry that happened! Did they roll out completely? Maybe try to press down on the end seams so they stick to the dough. The ends will roll out a bit while baking because the puff pastry puffs up, but they shouldn’t unroll completely.
Try egg wash or water where it comes loose. Then pinch it together. Might help
These pinwheels were very good, but next time I will add much more Brie. But there is no way this recipe is a 5 minute prep. Give yourself at least half an hour or more. Measuring, chopping, melting, rolling, cuttingโฆ.easy, just time consuming!
I’m glad you enjoyed it! Thank YOU! ๐