Description
These Cranberry Goat Cheese Pinwheels are a delightful appetizer featuring flaky puff pastry filled with a creamy goat cheese and tangy cranberry sauce mixture. Perfectly golden and drizzled with honey and fresh thyme, they make an elegant and easy-to-make hors d’oeuvre for any gathering.
Ingredients
Pinwheels
- 1/2 to 3/4 cup cranberry sauce*
- 8 oz goat cheese log, room temperature or softened
- 2 sheets puff pastry, thawed
- 1 large egg, beaten
- 2.5 tablespoons honey
- 1/2 tablespoon fresh thyme, leaves removed from stems
- Flaky salt, optional
Homemade Cranberry Sauce
- 12 oz cranberries
- 3/4 cup water
- Juice of 1 orange
- 1 cup sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon orange zest
- Pinch of salt
Instructions
- Thaw Puff Pastry: Allow frozen puff pastry sheets to thaw for 40 minutes to 1 hour at room temperature until cold, malleable, and easy to work with but not cracking.
- Preheat Oven & Prepare Filling: Preheat the oven to 425°F. In a bowl, combine the softened goat cheese with 1/2 cup cranberry sauce, mixing well. Save extra cranberry sauce to optionally dollop on top before rolling.
- Assemble Pinwheels: Unfold each puff pastry sheet and gently roll over the creases with a rolling pin. Spread half of the cranberry goat cheese mixture evenly over each sheet, leaving about a 1/4 to 1/2 inch border around the edges. Optionally, dollop extra cranberry sauce on top. Roll each sheet from the bottom edge into a log, not tightly rolled but secure.
- Apply Egg Wash and Freeze: Brush the exterior of each rolled log with beaten egg using a pastry brush. Place the logs in the freezer for 10-15 minutes (or up to overnight) to firm up, which will make slicing easier. This step can be skipped but is recommended.
- Slice and Bake: Remove the logs from the freezer and slice into 1/2-inch thick rounds. Arrange the pinwheels 2 inches apart on baking sheets, using two sheets if necessary. Bake for about 20 minutes or until they are puffed, golden brown, and show layers. Watch carefully to prevent the bottoms from burning.
- Drizzle with Honey and Garnish: While baking, microwave honey in a small dish for 10 seconds to loosen. Immediately after removing the pinwheels from the oven, drizzle the warmed honey over them and sprinkle fresh thyme leaves on top. Add flaky salt if desired. Serve warm.
- Make Cranberry Sauce (Optional): In a medium saucepan over medium heat, combine water, orange juice, and sugar. Stir until sugar dissolves (about 5 minutes). Add cranberries and increase heat to medium-high. Stir often as cranberries pop and burst, cooking for 10-15 minutes until sauce thickens and berries break down. Stir in orange zest and a pinch of salt. Let cool before using or storing.
Notes
- Thaw puff pastry properly to avoid cracking when rolling.
- Freezing the rolled logs before slicing helps maintain shape and makes cutting cleaner.
- Use flaky salt sparingly to enhance flavor without overpowering.
- Cranberry sauce can be prepared ahead and stored refrigerated for several days.
- Pinwheels are best served warm straight from the oven for optimal flakiness and flavor.
