Savory Christmas Bacon and Cheese Pinwheels Recipe
These Savory Christmas Pinwheels feature flaky puff pastry rolled with a delicious mixture of crispy bacon, melted cheddar cheese, and creamy cream cheese, enhanced by garlic powder and green onions. Perfect as a festive appetizer or party snack, these golden, cheesy pinwheels are easy to prepare and bake to perfection.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 18 minutes
- Total Time: 28 minutes
- Yield: 12-15 pinwheels
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Pastry
- 1 sheet puff pastry, thawed
Filling
- 5–6 strips bacon, cooked and crumbled
- 1 cup cheddar cheese, shredded
- 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 2–3 green onions, finely chopped (optional)
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
Finishing
- 1 egg, beaten
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and facilitate easy cleanup.
- Cook Bacon: Cook the bacon strips in a skillet over medium heat until crispy. Remove from the skillet, let cool slightly, then crumble into small pieces for the filling.
- Prepare Filling: In a mixing bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, shredded cheddar cheese, crumbled bacon, finely chopped green onions (if using), garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Stir thoroughly until all ingredients are evenly mixed.
- Roll Puff Pastry: On a lightly floured surface, roll out the thawed puff pastry sheet to about 1/8 inch thick, smoothing out any creases to create an even surface.
- Spread Filling: Evenly spread the cream cheese and bacon mixture over the puff pastry, leaving approximately a 1/2 inch border around the edges to help seal the roll.
- Roll and Seal: Starting from one end, tightly roll the puff pastry into a log shape. Use your fingers to press and seal the edge securely so the roll stays intact during baking.
- Slice Pinwheels: Using a sharp knife, cut the log into 1/2-inch thick slices, yielding about 12 to 15 pinwheels.
- Arrange on Baking Sheet: Place the pinwheels on the prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 1 inch apart to allow for expansion.
- Egg Wash: Brush the tops of the pinwheels with beaten egg, which will give them a shiny, golden-brown finish once baked.
- Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 15-18 minutes or until the pinwheels have puffed up nicely and turned a golden brown color.
- Cool and Serve: Remove from the oven and let the pinwheels cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before serving to allow flavors to set and make handling easier.
Notes
- For extra flavor, add finely chopped fresh herbs like parsley or chives to the filling.
- You can substitute cheddar cheese with gouda or mozzarella for a different taste and texture.
- If you prefer a spicier version, sprinkle some red pepper flakes into the filling mixture.
- Make sure the puff pastry is thoroughly thawed before rolling to prevent cracking.
- Pinwheels can be prepared ahead, chilled, and baked just before serving for convenience.
