If you’re looking for a festive, crowd-pleasing appetizer that’s as adorable as it is delicious, look no further! This Christmas Tree Cream Cheese Pinwheels Recipe is a total game-changer for your holiday parties. I absolutely love how the creamy filling pairs with the vibrant colors of olives, red peppers, and fresh herbs, all rolled up into bite-sized pinwheels shaped like a Christmas tree. Trust me, your guests will be wowed and begging for the recipe!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Festive Presentation: Arranging these pinwheels into a Christmas tree shape adds instant holiday charm to any party table.
- Simple No-Bake Prep: No oven required—just mix, roll, chill, and slice for a quick and easy appetizer.
- Customizable Flavor: You can easily switch up the olives and veggies to suit your taste or dietary preferences.
- Make-Ahead Convenience: Prepare these in advance, saving you time on busy holiday days.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The ingredients here work together like a dream—the creamy tang of cream cheese, the bright zip from lemon juice and garlic, and the colorful pops from olives and red peppers all wrapped up in soft tortillas. A little fresh dill and rosemary add that special herby brightness that makes these pinwheels taste fresh and festive.
- Cream Cheese: Make sure it’s softened to room temperature for easy mixing and a smooth spread.
- Garlic Powder: Adds a lovely savory depth without overpowering the filling.
- Onion Powder: Gives a subtle sweetness that complements the garlic perfectly.
- Lemon Juice: A splash of freshness to cut through the creaminess.
- Green Olives: Sliced for that briny, salty bite – I like to use pitted for ease.
- Black Olives: Their rich flavor balances the green olives wonderfully.
- Red Peppers: Finely chopped for a sweet crunch and festive pop of color.
- Fresh Dill: A little goes a long way, adding a fresh herbal note.
- Spinach and Plain Tortillas: Using two green spinach tortillas helps reinforce the Christmas tree look among the plain ones.
- Fresh Rosemary: For garnishing – its pine-like aroma adds to the holiday vibe.
- Cherry Tomatoes: These become your edible “ornaments” that bring the tree to life.
- Decorative Holiday Picks (optional): Fun to add for serving and catching those pinwheels at parties.
Variations
One of the things I love about this Christmas Tree Cream Cheese Pinwheels Recipe is how easy it is to make it your own. You can swap out ingredients or add your own twist depending on what you have on hand or your family’s preferences.
- Olive Swap: I sometimes swap in Kalamata olives or garlic-stuffed olives to give a richer, more complex flavor that guests always comment on.
- Peppers & Pimientos: If you don’t have fresh red peppers, jarred pimientos work beautifully and add a bit of sweetness.
- Gluten-Free Option: Use gluten-free tortillas and this appetizer is perfect for friends or family with gluten sensitivities.
- Herbal Twist: Try swapping dill for chives or parsley if you prefer a different fresh herb note.
How to Make Christmas Tree Cream Cheese Pinwheels Recipe
Step 1: Prep Your Veggies and Olives
Start by chopping the red peppers finely and slicing the green and black olives if they aren’t pre-sliced. You want everything to be small enough to spread easily in the creamy filling without making the pinwheels too chunky. I learned the hard way that larger chunks can make rolling the tortillas trickier, so trust me on this!
Step 2: Make the Cream Cheese Mixture
In a large bowl, combine the room-temperature cream cheese with garlic powder, onion powder, and lemon juice. I use my hand mixer on medium speed to get a completely smooth, lump-free base—it really makes a difference in texture. Then, fold in your chopped dill, olives, and red peppers with a spatula so the mixture stays light and fluffy.
Step 3: Spread and Roll the Tortillas
Lay a tortilla flat on your work surface. Using an offset spatula (your secret weapon for even spreading), spread about half a cup of the cream cheese mixture evenly right to the edges. The key here is to get a smooth, even layer without tearing the tortilla.
Then roll it up tightly like a jelly roll and wrap in plastic wrap. Repeat this with all four tortillas—two spinach and two plain. Chilling these rolls in the freezer for 30 minutes makes slicing much easier and keeps everything from squishing out.
Step 4: Slice and Arrange into a Christmas Tree
Take your chilled rolls and slice into ¾-inch pinwheels with a sharp knife. Then comes the fun part: arranging the slices on a festive platter or wooden board into a classic Christmas tree shape. I like to put the spinach tortilla pinwheels in the center to create a nice green ‘tree’ effect flanked by the plain ones.
Finish your masterpiece by garnishing with sprigs of fresh rosemary for that pine tree look and cherry tomatoes as bright, edible ornaments. If you want to add some extra flair, decorative holiday picks are perfect for serving.
Pro Tips for Making Christmas Tree Cream Cheese Pinwheels Recipe
- Room Temperature Is Key: Always soften your cream cheese so it blends to a silky smooth texture without lumps.
- Chill Before Slicing: Freezing the rolled tortillas for at least 30 minutes makes cleaner, neater pinwheel slices.
- Use an Offset Spatula: It helps spread the filling evenly and prevents tearing the tortilla as you go.
- Don’t Overfill: Too much filling can make rolling difficult and cause the tortillas to split when slicing.
How to Serve Christmas Tree Cream Cheese Pinwheels Recipe
Garnishes
I always use fresh rosemary sprigs because they mimic tiny pine branches perfectly, and the aroma just screams Christmas! Cherry tomatoes add that bright red “ornament” look that really makes this appetizer festive and fun. If you want a little extra sparkle, sprinkle a tiny pinch of paprika or smoked paprika — it gives a subtle holiday warmth without overpowering flavors.
Side Dishes
These pinwheels go great with light sides like a crisp winter salad or a simple charcuterie board. I often throw together a bowl of marinated olives, some sliced cured meats, and a selection of crackers to complement the creamy richness of the pinwheels.
Creative Ways to Present
One year, I arranged the pinwheels into a wreath shape instead of a tree for a fun twist, garnishing with edible flowers and sprigs of thyme. Another time, I served them upright on skewers for easy finger food at a standing holiday party. Don’t be afraid to get creative with how you assemble and present these beauties!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I store any leftover pinwheels in an airtight container in the fridge, and they keep really well for up to five days. This recipe actually tastes great cold, so it’s perfect if you want to prepare ahead and spread out your holiday cooking.
Freezing
I’ve frozen the rolled, wrapped tortillas before slicing, and it works surprisingly well. Just thaw them in the refrigerator for a couple of hours before slicing and serving. The texture stays firm and fresh, making this a fantastic make-ahead option for busy holidays.
Reheating
Since these pinwheels are best served cold or at room temperature, I don’t recommend reheating. If your pinwheels have been in the fridge, just let them sit out for 10-15 minutes before serving to take the chill off and bring out the flavors.
FAQs
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Can I make the Christmas Tree Cream Cheese Pinwheels Recipe ahead of time?
Absolutely! You can roll and wrap the tortillas up to a day in advance and keep them refrigerated. Slice just before serving for the freshest texture and easiest presentation. If you need to prepare even earlier, you can freeze the wrapped rolls and thaw before slicing.
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What can I substitute if I don’t like olives?
If olives aren’t your thing, finely chopped roasted red peppers or sun-dried tomatoes add a sweet and tangy alternative. You could also try artichoke hearts for a Mediterranean twist. The key is to keep the ingredients chopped small so the pinwheels roll up easily.
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How do I prevent the cream cheese from making the tortillas soggy?
Using softened cream cheese that’s not too watery helps, and spreading it evenly in a thin layer prevents sogginess. Also, chilling the rolled tortillas tightly wrapped in plastic wrap firms up the mixture and keeps the tortillas from getting soggy before serving.
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Can these pinwheels be made gluten-free?
Yes! Simply swap the regular tortillas for their gluten-free counterparts. Just make sure to pick soft gluten-free tortillas that can roll easily without cracking.
Final Thoughts
This Christmas Tree Cream Cheese Pinwheels Recipe has become a holiday staple in my kitchen—I love how simple ingredients come together to make such a festive and fun appetizer. It’s one of those recipes that feels fancy but is actually super easy to throw together, which is perfect when you’re juggling everything else the season demands. I hope you’ll enjoy making and sharing these with your loved ones as much as I do—it’s such a joyful way to start any holiday gathering!
Print
Christmas Tree Cream Cheese Pinwheels Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 32 pinwheels
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Create a festive and delicious Pinwheel Christmas Tree Appetizer using creamy seasoned cream cheese, colorful olives, and red peppers, all rolled up in tortillas and arranged to resemble a charming holiday tree. This no-cook, make-ahead appetizer is perfect for holiday parties and gatherings, offering a delightful combination of flavors and vibrant presentation with minimal effort.
Ingredients
Cheese Mixture
- 16 oz cream cheese (2 blocks), room temperature
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon fresh dill, minced
- ¼ cup green olives, sliced
- ¼ cup black olives, sliced
- ¼ cup red peppers, finely chopped
Wraps and Garnishes
- 4 large tortillas (2 plain and 2 green spinach)
- Fresh rosemary sprigs for garnish
- Cherry tomatoes for garnish
- Decorative holiday picks (optional) for serving
Instructions
- Prepare Ingredients: Chop the red peppers finely and slice green and black olives if not already sliced to ensure even distribution in the cream cheese mixture.
- Make Cream Cheese Filling: In a large bowl, combine the cream cheese, garlic powder, onion powder, and lemon juice. Use a hand mixer to blend until smooth and lump-free, creating a creamy base for the pinwheels.
- Add Vegetables and Herbs: Gently fold in the minced fresh dill, sliced green and black olives, and finely chopped red peppers into the cream cheese mixture, mixing evenly without overbeating.
- Spread on Tortillas: Place one tortilla flat on a clean surface. Using an offset spatula or the back of a spoon, spread about ½ cup of the cream cheese mixture evenly across the entire surface of the tortilla, extending to the edges.
- Roll and Wrap: Carefully roll up the tortilla tightly to form a log. Wrap the roll snugly in plastic wrap. Repeat this process with all four tortillas and their corresponding cream cheese mixture.
- Chill and Slice: Place wrapped rolls in the freezer for 30 minutes to firm up, which will make slicing easier. After chilling, remove the plastic wrap and slice each roll into ¾-inch thick pinwheels.
- Assemble Christmas Tree: Arrange the pinwheel slices on a festive platter or wooden serving board in the shape of a Christmas tree. Use fresh rosemary sprigs to mimic pine branches and place cherry tomatoes as colorful ornaments. Optionally, add decorative holiday picks for extra festive flair.
Notes
- You can prepare the pinwheels in advance by rolling and refrigerating the tortillas, then slicing just before serving to keep them fresh.
- To make this recipe gluten free, select gluten-free tortillas from your grocery store.
- Try different varieties of olives, such as kalamata, garlic or blue cheese stuffed, or marinated olives, to customize the flavor.
- If you prefer, substitute the red peppers with drained jarred pimientos for a sweeter taste.
- Store leftover pinwheels in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days to maintain freshness.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2 pinwheels
- Calories: 110
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 160mg
- Fat: 8g
- Saturated Fat: 4.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 6g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 25mg
