Christmas Tree Olive Cream Cheese Pinwheels Recipe

If you’re looking for a festive, fun, and unbelievably tasty appetizer to wow your guests this season, you’re going to love this Christmas Tree Olive Cream Cheese Pinwheels Recipe. I first made these for a holiday party, and they instantly became the star of the show! Not only are they super easy to pull together, but they’re also deliciously creamy with the perfect salty pop from the olives and a lovely burst of freshness from the dill and red peppers. Trust me, you’ll want to keep this recipe handy all winter long.

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Ingredients You’ll Need

What I love about the ingredients in this Christmas Tree Olive Cream Cheese Pinwheels Recipe is how they come together to create layers of flavor with just a few simple items. And you’ll want to grab fresh, quality toppings like real cream cheese and fresh dill to get the best taste.

• Cream cheese: Make sure it’s softened to room temperature—it spreads better and mixes smoothly.
• Garlic powder: Adds just the right hint of savory depth without overpowering.
• Onion powder: Elevates the flavor, making every bite more aromatic and tasty.
• Lemon juice: Fresh lemon juice brightens up the cream cheese and balances the richness.
• Green olives: Sliced for that salty bite; I like Castelvetrano for their mild flavor.
• Black olives: Kalamata are my go-to—they add a lovely tangy contrast.
• Red peppers: Finely chopped for a sweet crunch; roasted peppers also work beautifully.
• Fresh dill: Minced and fresh—never dried—because it brings a bright herbaceous note.
• Tortillas: Two plain and two spinach (green) tortillas form the perfect base; spinach tortillas help create the “tree” color.
• Fresh rosemary: For garnish to mimic pine branches and give a lovely aroma.
• Cherry tomatoes: Used as colorful “ornaments” on the tree.
• Decorative holiday picks: Optional, but they add a festive, playful touch when serving.

Variations

I’m a big fan of making recipes my own, and this Christmas Tree Olive Cream Cheese Pinwheels Recipe is no exception. You can swap ingredients and still get a stellar result, so don’t be afraid to experiment!

• Olive Choices: I’ve tried adding blue cheese stuffed olives for a creamy tang—my family went nuts for that one.
• Peppers Swap: When red peppers aren’t on hand, pimientos work perfectly, offering a similar sweetness and color.
• Gluten-Free Version: For friends with dietary restrictions, gluten-free tortillas make this appetizer a winner for all guests.
• Herb Variations: Sometimes I add fresh parsley or chives alongside dill for an extra herb boost.

How to Make Christmas Tree Olive Cream Cheese Pinwheels Recipe

Step 1: Prep Your Veggies and Olives

Start by chopping your red peppers finely and slicing any olives that aren’t pre-sliced. This step makes sure every bite has that nice mix of texture and flavor. I’ve learned that prepping everything upfront saves so much stress later on.

Step 2: Mix the Cream Cheese Base

In a large bowl, add your softened cream cheese, garlic powder, onion powder, and lemon juice. Use a hand mixer (or a sturdy spoon) to blend everything until the mixture is super smooth—no lumps! This step is key for a creamy spread that’ll be easy to roll and slice.

Step 3: Fold in Fresh Dill, Olives, and Peppers

Now comes the fun part: folding in the minced fresh dill, sliced green and black olives, and chopped red peppers. I like to use a spatula here so you don’t break up the olives too much—you want those neat bites of flavor throughout the cream cheese.

Step 4: Spread and Roll the Tortillas

Lay a tortilla flat on your surface and use an offset spatula (or the back of a spoon) to spread about ½ cup of your cream cheese mixture evenly, right to the edges. Then, roll it up tight, making sure it’s snug but not squishing the filling out. Wrap each roll in plastic wrap to keep it together.

Step 5: Chill and Slice

Pop the wrapped tortillas into the freezer for about 30 minutes—this chills them just enough to make slicing smooth and not squishy. Then, slice each roll into ¾-inch thick pinwheels. You’ll find this trick keeps the pinwheels neat and perfect for arranging.

Step 6: Assemble Your Christmas Tree

On a festive platter or wooden board, arrange your pinwheel slices into the shape of a Christmas tree. Garnish with fresh rosemary sprigs as “branches,” cherry tomatoes as “ornaments,” and, if you like, those cute holiday picks to make serving extra fun. This is really where your creativity shines!

How to Serve Christmas Tree Olive Cream Cheese Pinwheels Recipe

Garnishes

I love using fresh rosemary sprigs for that pine-tree feel and aromatic zing. Cherry tomatoes aren’t just pretty—they add a juicy pop and colorful contrast that makes the whole platter come alive. Sometimes I’ll add a sprinkle of finely chopped chives on top for extra green freshness.

Side Dishes

These pinwheels pair beautifully with a crisp green salad or a bowl of wintery roasted nuts. For holiday parties, I often serve them alongside baked brie and cranberry chutney, making the table feel festive and varied.

Creative Ways to Present

Try placing your pinwheels on a wooden serving board and surround the tree shape with sprigs of pine or holly for an extra festive flair. I once used edible gold dust on the cherry tomatoes to add a fancy sparkle, and it was a total showstopper!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Once assembled, if you have leftovers, keep them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days. I wrap the pinwheels tightly so they don’t dry out, and they stay tasty and creamy throughout.

Freezing

I personally haven’t frozen the fully rolled pinwheels for long-term storage, but freezing the cream cheese mixture separately works well. After thawing, mix again gently before spreading to maintain that lovely texture.

Reheating

These pinwheels are best served chilled or at room temperature, so I don’t recommend reheating. However, removing them from the fridge about 15 minutes ahead of serving really brings out the flavors and softness.

FAQs

Final Thoughts

This Christmas Tree Olive Cream Cheese Pinwheels Recipe holds a special place in my holiday repertoire because it brings together ease, beauty, and flavor all in one bite. Making this for friends and family has become a joyful tradition, and I truly hope you enjoy the process and the happy smiles you’ll get when serving these at your next celebration. Give it a try—you might just find a new holiday favorite to share every year!

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