These stunning Cranberry Brie Pinwheels are sure to delight your guests this holiday season! The combination of buttery puff pastry, tangy homemade cranberry sauce and smooth, melted brie makes every bite a crowd-pleaser. Perfect for festive gatherings or as an elegant appetizer, these pinwheels are simple to prepare and sure to impress.
More cranberry appetizers that I love for the holiday season: Cranberry Pecan Brie Bites, Cranberry Pecan Mini Goat Cheese Balls and these Turkey Cranberry Pinwheels!
Cranberry Brie Puff Pastry Appetizer
I love a good appetizer for the holidays and these pinwheels are exactly the kind I like to make: easy, jsut a few ingredients and absolutely delicious! They also happen to combine two of my favorite ingredients – cranberries and brie! This recipe is so easy to make and can easily be double (or tripled!) to serve a crowd.
These flaky, golden puff pastry rolls are filled with a delightful combination of creamy Brie, tangy cranberry sauce and your choice of fresh rosemary or orange. As they bake, the Brie melts into a rich, velvety layer, while the cranberry sauce adds a pop of tart sweetness. These stunning pinwheels are sure to bring a touch of elegance to your holiday spread!
These Cranberry Brie Pinwheels are sure to become a holiday favorite with their perfect combination of flavors and impressive presentation!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
If you’re looking for the perfect holiday appetizer that’s both simple and sophisticated, these Cranberry Brie Pinwheels are the answer!
- Simple Yet Impressive. These pinwheels look elegant but are surprisingly easy to make and call for just a handful of ingredients.
- Balanced Flavor. The sweet-tartness of the cranberries and the creamy brie create a delicious balance when combined with the buttery puff pastry.
- Versatile. This pinwheels are ideal for holiday parties but are also fun for family get-togethers, game day, or anytime you want to wow your guests.
How To Make Cranberry Brie Pinwheels
Get ready to impress your guests with these Cranberry Brie Pinwheels! Flaky, golden puff pastry wraps around a sweet-tart homemade cranberry sauce and creamy brie, creating the perfect balance of flavors in every bite. Ideal for holiday gatherings or special appetizers, these pinwheels are easy to make and irresistibly delicious.
The cranberry sauce can be made with either orange or rosemary, depending on the what you prefer. As always, the printable recipe card with the full list of ingredients and instructions can be found at the end of this post.
Cranberry Sauce
- Combine cranberries, granulated sugar, water and either a rosemary sprig or the peel of one quarter of an orange in a medium saucepan over medium heat.
- Cook the cranberries, stirring frequently, until they have broken down and thickened to resemble jam, about 20 minutes. Remove the rosemary or orange peel and let the cool.
Assembly
- Roll out puff pastry on a sheet of parchment.
- Spread the cranberry sauce over the puff pastry, leaving about 1⁄2 inch of one edge bare for sealing and lay thin slices of brie over the sauce. Brush the bare edge with a little water to help it stick.
- Roll the pastry into a log. Repeat the process with the remaining sheet of puff pastry. Transfer seam-side down to a small baking sheet and freeze until firm enough to slice.
- Cut each log into 12 even slices and transfer the slices to parchment-lined baking sheets. Bake until puffed and golden brown on the edges, about 23 to 25 minutes.
This recipe is PERECT for leftover cranberry sauce! If I have any leftover cranberry sauce, this is the recipe I make!
Storage Information
This cranberry brie puff pastry appetizer is best enjoyed immediately but here is the information you will need if you plan to make ahead or need to store leftovers:
- Make ahead: Assemble the rolls as directed, cut and place on sheets of parchment. Flash freeze until firm, about 30 minutes and then transfer to a freezer safe air tight container and place in freezer. Bake from frozen. Add additional time as needed.
- Refrigeration: Store leftover baked pinwheels in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat in the air fryer or oven.
- Freezing: You can freeze the unbaked rolls for up to a month. Bake straight from the freezer with an additional 2-3 minutes of cooking time.
Can I use store-bought cranberry sauce?
Yes, if you’re short on time, store-bought cranberry sauce works as a substitute. Leftover cranberry sauce is also a terrific substitute as well as different flavored jams. Blackberry and cherry are two favorites.
What other cheese can I use besides brie?
Camembert or a creamy goat cheese would be good alternatives.
How do I keep the pastry from sticking?
Use parchment paper or a silicone baking mat on your baking sheet to prevent sticking.
Variations To Try
- Love orange with cranberry as much as I do? Add a bit of orange zest to the cranberry sauce and garnish with extra zest for a lovely pop of orange flavor.
- Looking to make these pinwheels more herbal-forward? Use chopped thyme or sage with the rosemary for a different flavor profile.
- Add crunch to these pinwheels with some chopped pecans, pistachios, or walnuts before rolling up.
- For an extra festive touch, consider drizzling a bit of honey over the pinwheels right after baking for a subtle sweetness that pairs beautifully with the brie and cranberries
- Serving these pinwheels warm is key to enjoying their full flavor and texture – a quick 5-minute reheat in the oven can bring them back to life if needed.
Trish’s Tips
The combination of flaky puff pastry, rich brie, and homemade cranberry sauce creates a flavor profile that’s irresistible. Whether you’re hosting a big holiday gathering or a cozy family dinner, these pinwheels will be the highlight of your spread. Easy to assemble and bake, they’re a guaranteed hit for any occasion. Here are some tips for you to get the best results with this recipe:
- Don’t skip the step where the pinwheels are frozen before cutting. It really makes slicing much easier and helps the pinwheels maintain their shape.
- For clean slices, a sharp knife is essential. Clean your blade in between slices to keep the pinwheels pretty.
- Leave enough space between the pinwheels on the baking sheet to allow the pastry to puff properly.
- If you’re planning on making my cranberry sauce or slow cooker cranberry sauce – just make extra to use in this recipe. If I have any leftover cranberry sauce, this is the recipe I make!
- Leftover cranberry sauce is great to use on toast or other desserts!
More Holiday Appetizers
Cranberry Brie Pinwheels
Ingredients
- 12 ounces fresh cranberries rinsed and picked through
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup water
- 1 sprig rosemary or 1 quarter of an orange peel
- 17.3 ounces puff pastry thawed, 1 package
- 8 ounces brie 1 wheel
- 1 tablespoon chopped rosemary or orange zest (optional)
Instructions
Quick Cranberry Sauce
- Combine cranberries, granulated sugar, water and either a rosemary sprig or the peel of one quarter of an orange in a medium saucepan over medium heat. (It really just depends on what flavor profile you want – both are delicious options.)12 ounces fresh cranberries, 1 cup granulated sugar, 1 cup water, 1 sprig rosemary
- Cook the cranberries down (stirring frequently) until they have broken down and thickened to resemble jam, about 20 minutes.
- Remove the rosemary or orange peel and let the cranberry sauce completely. It will thicken as it cools.
- Preheat your oven to 400°F. Line two large baking sheets with parchment paper and set aside.
Assembly
- Lay one sheet of thawed puff pastry on a sheet of parchment and roll it out just a bit to get rid of the creases.17.3 ounces puff pastry
- Evenly spread the cranberry sauce over the puff pastry, leaving about 1⁄2 inch of one edge bare for sealing.
- Lay thin slices of brie over the sauce. Sprinkle with the finely chopped rosemary or orange zest. Brush the bare edge with a little water to help it stick.8 ounces brie, 1 tablespoon chopped rosemary
- Starting at the edge opposite the edge you left bare, roll the pastry into a log.
- Repeat the process with the remaining sheet of puff pastry.
- Transfer the logs seam-side down to a small baking sheet or cutting board and freeze until firm enough to slice (20-30 minutes).
- Cut each log into 12 even slices with a sharp knife and transfer the slices to the prepared baking sheets.
- Bake until the pastry has puffed and is golden brown on the edges, about 23 to 25 minutes. Let the rolls cool for 5-10 minutes before serving.
Notes
- Make ahead: Assemble the rolls as directed, cut and place on sheets of parchment. Flash freeze until firm, about 30 minutes and then transfer to a freezer safe air tight container and place in freezer. Bake from frozen. Add additional time as needed.
- Refrigeration: Store leftover baked pinwheels in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat in the air fryer or oven.
- Freezing: You can freeze the unbaked rolls for up to a month. Bake straight from the freezer with an additional 2-3 minutes of cooking time.
If you’re planning on making my cranberry sauce or slow cooker cranberry sauce – just make extra to use in this recipe. If I have any leftover cranberry sauce, this is the recipe I make!
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