If you’re looking for a festive, crowd-pleasing appetizer this season, you absolutely have to try my Christmas Olive Cream Cheese Pinwheels Recipe. These colorful pinwheels not only look adorable arranged in a Christmas tree shape, but the flavors will have your guests coming back for more. I first made these for a holiday party a few years ago, and now they’re a staple every December. If you love creamy, savory bites with a little wow factor, keep reading — I’m sharing everything you need to know to make them perfect!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Festive and Fun Presentation: Arranged like a Christmas tree, these pinwheels bring holiday cheer right to your table.
- Simple Ingredients: With just a few pantry staples and fresh touches, you can whip this up without a fuss.
- Make-Ahead Friendly: Prepare them ahead for stress-free entertaining.
- Versatile Flavors: Love olives? This recipe highlights their briny goodness balanced by creamy cheese and zesty peppers.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The ingredients blend perfectly to create a creamy, tangy filling studded with colorful olives and peppers — while tortillas provide the perfect soft wrapper. Shopping tip: look for fresh rosemary and good-quality olives; they’ll really elevate the final taste.
- Cream Cheese: Make sure it’s at room temperature for easy mixing and smooth texture.
- Garlic Powder & Onion Powder: These add savory depth without overpowering the olives.
- Lemon Juice: Just a splash brightens up the cream cheese mixture beautifully.
- Green & Black Olives: Sliced thin for that perfect bite and great color contrast.
- Red Peppers: Finely chopped to add sweetness and vibrant red pops.
- Fresh Dill: Adds a delicate herbal note that complements olives wonderfully.
- Large Tortillas (2 plain and 2 spinach): These bring the green and neutral colors that really make the tree shape stand out.
- Fresh Rosemary & Cherry Tomatoes: For garnishing the finished pinwheel tree, making it festive and fresh.
- Decorative Holiday Picks (optional): Great for easy serving and extra holiday charm.
Variations
I love experimenting with this Christmas Olive Cream Cheese Pinwheels Recipe. It’s super flexible, so you can tweak the ingredients to suit your taste or dietary needs. Feel free to personalize and make it your own!
- Olive Varieties: I’ve swapped in kalamata or stuffed olives before, and each one brings a unique twist.
- Red Pepper Replacement: Sometimes I use jarred pimientos to save prep time — still delicious.
- Gluten-Free Tortillas: Perfect for guests with gluten sensitivities — just use your favorite brand and you’re set.
- Herb Variations: Fresh parsley or chives work well instead of dill for a slightly different flavor profile.
How to Make Christmas Olive Cream Cheese Pinwheels Recipe
Step 1: Prep the Olives and Peppers
Start by chopping the red peppers finely and slicing the olives if they’re not pre-sliced. Having everything ready before mixing helps keep you organized — and trust me, you’ll want that smooth assembly flow when you’re ready to spread the cream cheese.
Step 2: Make the Cream Cheese Mixture
In a large bowl, combine room temperature cream cheese, garlic powder, onion powder, and lemon juice. Use a hand mixer to blend everything until the mixture is silky smooth with no lumps. Then gently fold in the fresh dill, sliced green and black olives, and chopped red peppers. This step is all about getting those flavors evenly distributed without smashing the olives too much.
Step 3: Spread and Roll the Tortillas
Lay out one tortilla on a flat surface. Using an offset spatula (this tool is a game-changer, by the way), spread about ½ cup of the cream cheese mixture evenly, right to the edges. Roll it up tightly, then wrap it snugly in plastic wrap. Repeat with all four tortillas. The tight rolling is crucial because you want your pinwheels to hold their shape when you slice them later.
Step 4: Chill and Slice
Pop the wrapped rolls into the freezer for about 30 minutes. This chilling step firms them up nicely, making clean slicing easier. When ready, cut each roll into ¾-inch thick slices, revealing those gorgeous swirls of color inside. Be patient — slicing chilled rolls cleanly gives the best presentation.
Step 5: Assemble Your Christmas Tree
Arrange your pinwheel slices on a festive platter or wooden board, stacking and shaping them into a Christmas tree. Garnish with fresh rosemary sprigs as “branches,” cherry tomatoes as “ornaments,” and add holiday picks for extra fun. This part always gets compliments—the presentation really brings a party vibe!
Pro Tips for Making Christmas Olive Cream Cheese Pinwheels Recipe
- Room-Temperature Cheese: Let your cream cheese sit out for at least 30 minutes — it blends so much smoother and avoids lumps.
- Tightly Wrap Rolls: Wrapping the rolled tortillas tightly in plastic helps maintain shape and prevents drying out during chilling.
- Use an Offset Spatula: It gives the best control when spreading, avoiding tears in the tortilla.
- Freeze, Don’t Refrigerate First: Freezing the rolls for about 30 minutes firms them up perfectly for slicing without squishing the pinwheels.
How to Serve Christmas Olive Cream Cheese Pinwheels Recipe
Garnishes
I love using fresh rosemary for a pine-branch look and cherry tomatoes for bursts of bright red that mimic Christmas ornaments. It’s an easy way to add a fresh, festive flair that’s as pretty as it is tasty.
Side Dishes
These pinwheels pair wonderfully with a crisp green salad or even a bowl of hearty soup for a cozy holiday appetizer spread. For a party, try alongside a charcuterie board with meats, cheeses, and nuts to really round out the flavor profile.
Creative Ways to Present
One of my favorite presentation tricks is assembling the pinwheels on a rustic wooden board and draping a string of battery-operated fairy lights around the “tree” to add a magical glow. You can also serve them on tiered trays or alongside candles for a cozy holiday vibe.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Any extra pinwheels store beautifully in an airtight container in the fridge for up to five days. I keep them wrapped tightly to maintain moisture and freshness. They actually taste even better the next day once the flavors marry.
Freezing
Yes, you can freeze the rolled-up tortillas before slicing. I wrap each roll in plastic wrap, then place them in a freezer-safe bag. When you’re ready, thaw in the fridge and slice as usual. Keep in mind, freezing might alter the texture slightly, but it’s a great option for prepping way ahead.
Reheating
These pinwheels are best served chilled or at room temperature, so reheating isn’t necessary. If you like, you can let refrigerated pinwheels sit out for 15-20 minutes before serving to take the chill off — it really makes the flavors shine.
FAQs
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Can I use other types of cheese instead of cream cheese?
While cream cheese provides that perfect creamy texture and tang, you could experiment by mixing in goat cheese or ricotta for a different flavor, but keep in mind the filling might be softer and trickier to spread.
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How long can I make these pinwheels ahead of time?
I usually prepare the pinwheel rolls a day ahead, chilling them wrapped in plastic wrap. Slice and assemble the tree just before serving for the best freshness and presentation.
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What if I can’t find spinach tortillas?
No worries! You can use all plain tortillas, but spinach tortillas do add a festive green hue perfect for the Christmas tree look. Alternatively, look for whole wheat or herb-flavored tortillas for a subtle color difference.
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Are these pinwheels kid-friendly?
These are a hit with kids who like cream cheese and mild flavors, but feel free to omit the olives if your kids are picky — the red peppers and cheese keep them tasty on their own.
Final Thoughts
This Christmas Olive Cream Cheese Pinwheels Recipe has become my go-to festive appetizer because it’s as fun to make as it is to eat. I love how easy it is to prep ahead, and the presentation never fails to impress everyone at the holiday table. Give it a try — I promise these pinwheels will earn you some serious holiday hosting kudos. Happy holidays and happy rolling!
Print
Christmas Olive 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
Celebrate the holidays with these festive Pinwheel Christmas Tree Appetizers featuring a creamy blend of cream cheese, olives, red peppers, and fresh dill, all rolled in colorful spinach and plain tortillas. Perfect for entertaining, these easy-to-make pinwheels are chilled and sliced to create a beautiful edible Christmas tree garnished with rosemary and cherry tomatoes.
Ingredients
Cream Cheese Mixture
- 16 oz cream cheese (2 blocks), room temperature
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
- ¼ cup green olives, sliced
- ¼ cup black olives, sliced
- ¼ cup red peppers, finely chopped
- 1 teaspoon fresh dill, minced
Tortillas & Garnishes
- 4 large tortillas (2 plain and 2 green spinach tortillas)
- Fresh rosemary for garnish
- Cherry tomatoes for garnish
- Decorative holiday picks, optional for serving
Instructions
- Prepare Ingredients: Chop the red peppers finely and slice the green and black olives if they are not pre-sliced to ensure even distribution in the cream cheese mixture.
- Mix Cream Cheese Base: In a large bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, garlic powder, onion powder, and lemon juice. Use a hand mixer to blend until the mixture is smooth and lump-free.
- Fold in Add-ins: Gently fold in the minced fresh dill, sliced green and black olives, and chopped red peppers into the cream cheese base using a spatula or spoon, ensuring even mixing without deflating the mixture.
- Spread on Tortillas: Lay one tortilla flat on a clean surface. Using an offset spatula, spread about ½ cup of the cream cheese mixture evenly over the entire tortilla surface, reaching all the way to the edges.
- Roll and Chill: Carefully roll up the tortilla tightly, then wrap it securely in plastic wrap to maintain shape. Repeat this process with the remaining tortillas and cream cheese mixture. Place the wrapped rolls in the freezer for 30 minutes to firm up.
- Slice Pinwheels: After chilling, remove the rolls from the freezer and unwrap them. Slice each roll into ¾-inch thick pinwheels using a sharp knife for clean cuts.
- Assemble Christmas Tree: Arrange the pinwheel slices on a festive platter or wooden board in the shape of a Christmas tree. Garnish with sprigs of fresh rosemary to resemble tree branches, cherry tomatoes as ornaments, and add decorative holiday picks if desired for serving.
Notes
- You can prepare the pinwheels ahead of time by rolling and storing them in the refrigerator. Slice just before serving to maintain freshness.
- For a gluten-free option, use gluten-free tortillas available at many grocery stores.
- Feel free to substitute olives with varieties like kalamata, garlic-stuffed, blue cheese-stuffed, or marinated olives according to your preference.
- If preferred, use drained jarred pimientos in place of red peppers for a different flavor and color.
- Store any leftover pinwheels in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days to keep them fresh.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2 pinwheels
- Calories: 110
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 220 mg
- Fat: 9 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 6 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 30 mg
