Christmas Cranberry Roll Ups Recipe stole the show at my neighborhood holiday happy hour with sweet-tart cranberries, creamy cheese, and a little crunch in every bite. It suits busy hosts and snack lovers, and it takes about 15 minutes hands-on plus chill time, on the table in about 1 hour 15 minutes.
Easy Christmas Cranberry Roll Ups Recipe
Christmas Cranberry Roll Ups Recipe uses simple pantry items and needs no stove or oven. You mix, spread, roll, chill, and slice. The method stays friendly for beginners and fast for seasoned cooks. You can tweak it based on what you have. Swap nuts, use different cheeses, or keep it vegetarian. The colors look festive with almost zero effort.
Ingredients You’ll Need
- 4 large flour tortillas (10-inch). Spinach or sun-dried tomato wraps add color; Mission brand holds shape well.
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened (block or whipped; Philadelphia stays smooth).
- 1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt or mayo (yogurt gives a lighter, tangy base).
- 1 cup dried cranberries (Craisins work great).
- 3/4 cup shredded white cheddar or Monterey Jack; or 1/2 cup crumbled feta for extra tang.
- 1/2 cup chopped toasted pecans or walnuts; sub pumpkin seeds for nut-free crunch.
- 3 green onions, finely sliced; or 2 tablespoons chives.
- 1 teaspoon orange zest + 1 teaspoon fresh orange juice for brightness.
- 1/4 teaspoon fine salt and a few grinds black pepper.
- Optional add-ins: 6 oz thinly sliced turkey or ham; 1 cup baby spinach; 1 small jalapeño, minced.
Equipment:
- Mixing bowl and rubber spatula
- Microplane or zester
- Sharp chef’s knife or serrated knife
- Cutting board
- Plastic wrap
- Measuring cups/spoons
How to Make Christmas Cranberry Roll Ups
- Prep: 15 minutes
- Chill: 60 minutes
- Total: 1 hour 15 minutes
- Stir the softened cream cheese and Greek yogurt in a bowl until smooth and spreadable.
- Fold in the dried cranberries, cheese, nuts, green onions, orange zest, orange juice, salt, and pepper. Mix until everything looks evenly dotted.
- Lay out the tortillas. Spread about 1/2 cup filling on each, leaving a 1/2-inch border clean on all sides.
- Add optional turkey or spinach in a thin, even layer. Keep fillings light to prevent gapping.
- Roll each tortilla up tightly into a firm log. Wrap each log in plastic wrap to hold the shape.
- Chill the wrapped logs for at least 1 hour so the filling firms up and the rolls slice cleanly.
- Unwrap, trim the ragged ends, and slice into 1/2-inch pinwheels. Wipe the knife between cuts for sharp edges.
- Arrange on a platter, garnish with extra cranberries or rosemary sprigs, and serve.
Tips & Mistakes to Avoid
- Soften the cream cheese fully so it spreads without tearing the tortillas.
- Dry leafy add-ins well; excess moisture leads to soggy pinwheels.
- Keep the filling thin and even; overfilling causes loose spirals.
- Roll with gentle, steady pressure for a tight log.
- Chill before slicing; warm logs smear and flatten.
- Use a serrated knife with a gentle sawing motion for clean cuts.
- Travel trick: transport the logs chilled and slice at the party for the neatest look.
Variations I’ve Tried
- Gluten-free: use sturdy gluten-free tortillas or wraps.
- Vegan: swap in dairy-free cream cheese and vegan shreds; use vegan mayo or thick plant yogurt; choose pepitas instead of nuts.
- Add-ins: crisp bacon bits, diced celery, fresh parsley, or a thin swipe of orange marmalade for extra holiday flair.
- Cheese swaps: goat cheese for tang, smoked gouda for depth.
- Protein twist: sliced roast turkey, rotisserie chicken shreds, or leave it vegetarian.
How to Serve Christmas Cranberry Roll Ups
Serve chilled on a platter with the slices snug like a wreath and a few rosemary sprigs tucked in for a festive vibe. Pair with sparkling wine, Prosecco, or sparkling cider. Add them to a holiday appetizer board with aged cheddar, olives, and a small bowl of honey mustard or cranberry chutney.
Make-Ahead and Storage
- Make the filling up to 3 days in advance; store it covered in the fridge.
- Roll the logs up to 24 hours ahead; keep them wrapped and chilled, then slice right before serving.
- Store sliced pinwheels in an airtight container with parchment between layers for 2–3 days in the fridge.
- For longer storage, freeze the wrapped logs (not sliced) for up to 1 month. Thaw overnight in the fridge, blot any moisture, then slice.
- No reheating needed. For best texture, let slices sit at cool room temp for 10–15 minutes before serving.
Nutrition Information
Calories: about 80 per pinwheel (5 pieces ~400).
Protein: modest from cheese and yogurt; add turkey for more.
Carbs: moderate from tortillas and cranberries.
Fat: mostly from cheese and nuts; use Greek yogurt and part-skim cheese to lighten.
Christmas Cranberry Roll Ups Recipe
Ingredients
Instructions
- In a medium bowl, combine softened cream cheese, cranberries, pecans, green onions, cheddar cheese, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper.
- Mix everything until well combined and evenly distributed.
- Spread a quarter of the cream cheese mixture evenly onto each tortilla.
- Roll the tortillas tightly and wrap them in plastic wrap.
- Refrigerate for at least 1 hour to firm up.
- Remove from the refrigerator, unwrap, trim ends, and slice each roll into 6 pinwheels.
- Arrange on a platter and serve chilled.