Cranberry Pecan Cream Cheese Pinwheels With Citrus Honey Glaze

Looking for a show-stopping appetizer or a delightful holiday treat? These Cranberry Pecan Cream Cheese Pinwheels with a vibrant Citrus Honey Glaze are guaranteed to impress! Flaky puff pastry is swirled with a creamy, tangy filling packed with sweet cranberries and crunchy pecans, then finished with a luscious glaze that brightens every bite. They’re surprisingly easy to make and perfect for parties, potlucks, or simply enjoying with a cozy cup of tea. Get ready to bake up a batch of these festive pinwheels – they’ll disappear fast!

Ingredients You’ll Need

• Puff Pastry (1 sheet, about 250g / 9 inches): We’re using frozen puff pastry for its incredible flaky layers. Be sure to thaw it completely according to package directions, but keep it cold until you’re ready to roll it out. All-butter puff pastry will give you the richest flavor, but a butter-blend version works well too.
• Cream Cheese (120g / ½ cup, softened): Full-fat cream cheese is essential for a smooth and creamy filling. Softening it to room temperature ensures it blends seamlessly with the other ingredients.
• Powdered Sugar (60g / ¼ cup): Also known as confectioners’ sugar, powdered sugar adds sweetness and helps create a light and airy texture in the cream cheese filling.
• Honey (30g + 60ml / 2 Tbsp + ¼ cup): We’re using honey in both the filling and the glaze. A good quality, flavorful honey is best – wildflower or orange blossom honey would be particularly delicious.
• Orange Zest (1 tsp + 1 tsp): Freshly grated orange zest provides a bright, citrusy aroma and flavor. Be sure to only zest the orange part, avoiding the bitter white pith underneath.
• Fresh Orange Juice (1 Tbsp + 1 Tbsp): Freshly squeezed orange juice enhances the citrus notes and adds a touch of acidity to balance the sweetness.
• Ground Ginger (½ tsp): A hint of ground ginger adds warmth and spice, complementing the cranberries and pecans beautifully.
• Dried Cranberries (100g / 1 cup, coarsely chopped): Dried cranberries provide a chewy texture and tart-sweet flavor. Coarsely chopping them ensures they distribute evenly throughout the filling.
• Pecan Halves (80g / ¾ cup, toasted and coarsely chopped): Toasted pecans add a delightful crunch and nutty flavor. Toasting them brings out their natural oils and enhances their taste.
• Large Egg (1, beaten): The beaten egg acts as an egg wash, brushed over the pinwheels before baking to create a golden-brown, glossy finish.
• Toasted Pecan Crumbs (for garnish): Extra toasted pecan crumbs add a final touch of texture and flavor.
• Orange Zest (pinch, for garnish): A tiny pinch of orange zest brightens the presentation.

Ingredient Substitutions

Don’t have everything on hand? Here are a few simple substitutions you can make:

• Pecans: Walnuts make a great substitute for pecans, offering a similar nutty flavor and texture.
• Cranberries: Dried cherries or chopped dried apricots can be used in place of cranberries, though they will alter the flavor profile slightly.
• Orange Juice/Zest: Lemon juice and zest can be substituted for orange, providing a similar citrusy brightness.

Let’s Bake: Detailed Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Preheat & Prep: Begin by preheating your oven to 200°C (400°F). This ensures the puff pastry rises beautifully and achieves a golden-brown color. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. This prevents sticking and makes cleanup a breeze.
2. Cream Cheese Filling Creation: In a medium bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, powdered sugar, 30g of honey, orange zest, orange juice, and ground ginger. Beat with an electric mixer (or vigorously by hand) until the mixture is completely smooth and creamy. The orange zest and juice are crucial here – they brighten the filling and complement the cranberries. Don’t skimp on softening the cream cheese; lumps will make spreading difficult.
3. Puff Pastry Foundation: Gently unfold the thawed puff pastry sheet onto a lightly floured surface. Using a rolling pin, roll it out into a 12-inch (30cm) rectangle. Rolling ensures even thickness, which is key for consistent baking. Lightly brush the surface of the pastry with a little of the beaten egg. This acts like a glue, helping the filling adhere and preventing it from sliding off during rolling.
4. Filling Application: Spread the cream cheese mixture evenly over the puff pastry rectangle, leaving a ½-inch (1cm) border around the edges. This border will help seal the roll. Avoid spreading the filling *right* to the edge, as it will squeeze out when you roll it up.
5. Cranberry Pecan Distribution: Sprinkle the chopped cranberries and toasted pecans evenly over the cream cheese layer. Ensure they are distributed uniformly for a balanced flavor in every bite. Toasting the pecans is vital; it enhances their nutty flavor and adds a delightful crunch.
6. Rolling into a Log: Starting from one of the long sides, carefully roll the puff pastry tightly into a log. Apply gentle but firm pressure as you roll to create a compact log. Once rolled, use a dab of the remaining cream cheese mixture to seal the edge securely. This prevents the roll from unraveling during slicing.
7. Slicing the Pinwheels: Using a sharp, serrated knife, slice the log into 1-inch (2.5cm) thick rounds. A serrated knife is essential for clean cuts without squishing the pastry. Arrange the pinwheels seam-side down on the prepared baking sheet, leaving a little space between each one to allow for expansion.
8. Egg Wash & Baking: Brush the tops of the pinwheels generously with the remaining beaten egg. This creates a beautiful golden-brown, glossy finish. Bake in the preheated oven for 12-15 minutes, or until the pinwheels are puffed and golden brown. Keep a close eye on them during the last few minutes to prevent burning.
9. Citrus Honey Glaze Preparation: While the pinwheels are baking, prepare the citrus honey glaze. In a small saucepan, combine the honey, orange juice, and orange zest. Warm over low heat, stirring constantly, until the mixture is glossy and slightly thickened – about 2 minutes. Avoid boiling the glaze, as it can become too thick.
10. Glazing & Garnishing: Remove the baked pinwheels from the oven and let them rest for 2 minutes. Drizzle the warm citrus honey glaze over each pinwheel in a thin, artistic stream. Finish with a sprinkle of extra toasted pecan crumbs and a light dusting of orange zest for added flavor and visual appeal.

The Importance of Toasted Pecans

Don’t underestimate the impact of toasting the pecans! Raw pecans can sometimes taste slightly bitter. Toasting them brings out their natural sweetness and creates a richer, more complex flavor profile that perfectly complements the tart cranberries and creamy cheese filling. You can toast them in a dry skillet over medium heat for 5-7 minutes, stirring frequently, or in the oven at 175°C (350°F) for 8-10 minutes.

Why Puff Pastry is Perfect for Pinwheels

Puff pastry’s incredible flaky layers are what make these pinwheels so special. The layers are created by repeatedly folding butter into the dough, resulting in a light, airy texture that practically melts in your mouth. The butter also contributes to the rich, buttery flavor that pairs beautifully with the other ingredients. Using a high-quality puff pastry is worth the investment for the best results.

Citrus Honey Glaze: A Flavor Enhancer

The citrus honey glaze isn’t just for aesthetics; it’s a crucial flavor component. The honey adds sweetness and a lovely floral note, while the orange juice and zest provide a bright, zesty counterpoint to the richness of the cream cheese and the sweetness of the cranberries. Warming the glaze slightly makes it easier to drizzle and ensures it adheres beautifully to the pinwheels.

Serving Suggestions & Variations

These Cranberry Pecan Cream Cheese Pinwheels are delightful served as part of a holiday brunch, a festive afternoon tea, or as a sweet treat with coffee or tea. For a variation, try adding a pinch of cinnamon or nutmeg to the cream cheese filling. You could also substitute walnuts for pecans, or use dried cherries instead of cranberries. Feel free to experiment and make them your own!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

• Can I make these ahead of time? You can assemble the pinwheels and keep them unbaked in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours. Add a few minutes to the baking time if baking from cold.
• Can I freeze these? Baked pinwheels can be frozen for up to 2 months. Thaw completely before reheating.
• What if I don’t have orange zest? Lemon zest can be used as a substitute, but the orange zest provides a more complementary flavor.

These Cranberry Pecan Cream Cheese Pinwheels with Citrus Honey Glaze are a guaranteed crowd-pleaser! Their beautiful presentation and irresistible flavor make them perfect for any occasion. Don’t forget to save this recipe to Pinterest for easy access later!

cranberry pecan cream cheese pinwheels holiday appetizer recipe

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• Author: Sarah Williams
• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Yield: 16 pinwheels 1x
• Diet: General

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Description

These Cranberry Pecan Cream Cheese Pinwheels are a delightful treat featuring flaky puff pastry, a creamy filling, and a vibrant Citrus Honey Glaze. Perfect for parties or a cozy snack, they’re surprisingly easy to make and guaranteed to impress!

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 250g puff pastry (1 sheet)
• 120g cream cheese (½ cup, softened)
• 60g powdered sugar (¼ cup)
• 30g honey (2 Tbsp)
• 60ml honey (¼ cup)
• 1 tsp orange zest
• 1 tsp orange zest
• 1 Tbsp orange juice
• 1 Tbsp orange juice
• 0.5 tsp ground ginger
• 100g dried cranberries (1 cup, chopped)
• 80g pecan halves (¾ cup, toasted and chopped)
• 1 large egg (beaten)
• Toasted pecan crumbs (for garnish)
• Pinch orange zest (for garnish)

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Instructions

1. Preheat & Prep: Preheat oven to 200°C (400°F) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. Make Filling: Combine cream cheese, powdered sugar, honey, orange zest, orange juice, and ginger until smooth.
3. Roll Pastry: Roll puff pastry into a 12-inch rectangle and brush with egg.
4. Add Filling: Spread cream cheese mixture evenly, leaving a border.
5. Sprinkle Toppings: Sprinkle cranberries and pecans over the filling.
6. Roll & Seal: Roll pastry into a log and seal the edge.
7. Slice Pinwheels: Slice into 1-inch rounds and arrange on baking sheet.
8. Bake: Brush with egg and bake for 12-15 minutes, until golden.
9. Make Glaze: Warm honey, orange juice, and zest until glossy.
10. Glaze & Garnish: Drizzle with glaze and sprinkle with pecan crumbs and zest.

Notes

For best results, use all-butter puff pastry and toast the pecans to enhance their flavor. Assembling ahead of time is possible; bake just before serving.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Dessert
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1 pinwheel
• Calories: 220 kcal
• Sugar: 15 g
• Sodium: 120 mg
• Fat: 12 g
• Saturated Fat: 6 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 25 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 3 g
• Cholesterol: 30 mg

Keywords: cranberry,pecan,pinwheels,cream cheese,puff pastry,holiday,appetizer,dessert,citrus,honey