Christmas Tree Olive Cream Cheese Pinwheels Recipe

If you’re looking for a festive, fun, and absolutely delicious appetizer that will wow your guests this holiday season, I’ve got just the thing for you. This Christmas Tree Olive Cream Cheese Pinwheels Recipe is a total crowd-pleaser — it looks stunning on the party table, is super easy to make, and tastes so fresh and flavorful that everyone ends up asking for the recipe. Trust me, once you try these, they’ll become a holiday tradition in no time!

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Ingredients You’ll Need

The magic of this Christmas Tree Olive Cream Cheese Pinwheels Recipe lies in using fresh, simple ingredients that blend beautifully together — from creamy cheese to briny olives and crisp red peppers. Here’s what you’ll want on hand to get started, along with some handy tips to make sure you pick the best of the bunch.

• Cream cheese: Make sure it’s softened to room temperature for easy mixing and a silky smooth spread.
• Garlic powder: Adds just the right touch of savory depth without overwhelming the pinwheels.
• Onion powder: Works well alongside garlic powder to boost flavor gently.
• Lemon juice: Freshly squeezed is best—it adds a bright, zesty kick to balance the richness.
• Green olives: Slice these thinly; I love the slight tang they bring. You can use pitted olives for easier chopping.
• Black olives: Also sliced thin, they add a lovely contrast in both color and taste.
• Red peppers: Finely chopped for a sweet crunch and festive pop of color.
• Fresh dill: Mince it finely to distribute that bright, herbal flavor throughout.
• Large tortillas: I use 2 plain and 2 spinach (green) — the color difference makes the “tree” extra festive!
• Fresh rosemary: For garnish — those sprigs look just like pine needles on the tree.
• Cherry tomatoes: Halved or whole, they act as adorable “ornaments” on your Christmas tree.
• Decorative holiday picks: Optional, but they make serving easier and dress up the presentation.

Variations

I love that this Christmas Tree Olive Cream Cheese Pinwheels Recipe is so versatile. Over the years, I’ve experimented with a few swaps and tweaks that kept things interesting, so don’t hesitate to make it your own!

• Gluten-Free: Swap the tortillas for your favorite gluten-free wraps—you’d never guess the difference once they’re rolled and sliced.
• Olive Varieties: I once tried kalamata and garlic-stuffed olives instead of the black and green — added a really great twist.
• Peppers Substitute: If you’re out of fresh red peppers, drained jarred pimientos work perfectly.
• Herbs: Sometimes I substitute dill with fresh chives or parsley for a different aroma and flavor profile.

How to Make Christmas Tree Olive Cream Cheese Pinwheels Recipe

Step 1: Prep Your Mix-Ins

Start by finely chopping your red peppers and slicing the olives if they aren’t already sliced. This little prep step ensures that when you fold them into the cream cheese, no surprise large chunks will make rolling tricky.

Step 2: Whip Up the Cream Cheese Base

In a large bowl, add the softened cream cheese, garlic powder, onion powder, and lemon juice. I use a hand mixer here—it makes blending super smooth and lump-free, which you’ll appreciate when spreading. Give it a good mix until the texture is creamy and even.

Step 3: Fold in the Goodies

With a spatula or large spoon, gently fold in the minced dill, green olives, black olives, and the chopped red peppers. Try not to over-mix here; you want those colorful bits to stay nicely distributed—not mashed.

Step 4: Spread and Roll

Lay one tortilla flat on your work surface. Using an offset spatula (or a butter knife in a pinch), spread about ½ cup of the cream cheese mixture evenly over the tortilla, right to the edges. This helps avoid dry spots when rolling.

Roll the tortilla tightly, trying to keep it snug but not squishing the filling out the sides. Wrap tightly in plastic wrap to hold its shape and repeat for the remaining tortillas.

Step 5: Chill and Slice

This is a step you don’t want to skip. Place the wrapped rolled tortillas in the freezer for about 30 minutes. Chilling makes slicing so much easier — you get perfect, clean pinwheels every time without the filling squashing out.

After chilling, unwrap and carefully cut each roll into roughly ¾-inch thick slices.

Step 6: Assemble Your Festive Christmas Tree

Arrange the pinwheel slices on a wooden board or festive platter in a classic Christmas tree shape. I like starting with a wide base and working up to a point. Then, garnish with sprigs of fresh rosemary as pine needles and pop cherry tomatoes here and there like little ornaments. If you have decorative holiday picks, stick one into some pinwheels for a cute, grab-and-go presentation.

How to Serve Christmas Tree Olive Cream Cheese Pinwheels Recipe

Garnishes

I’m a big fan of garnishing with fresh rosemary sprigs and bright cherry tomatoes because they naturally mimic pine needles and ornaments, making the presentation festive and inviting. Sometimes I add a few edible gold or silver glitter sprinkles for a little sparkle at parties — kids and adults love the extra holiday cheer!

Side Dishes

These pinwheels make a perfect appetizer before a hearty meal or even at a casual holiday snack table. Pair them with a crisp green salad, a bowl of homemade soup, or a plate of assorted cheeses and cured meats for a well-rounded spread.

Creative Ways to Present

Beyond forming a classic Christmas tree shape, I’ve also arranged them in wreath patterns or even spelled out holiday words on large serving trays — it’s a fun way to surprise guests and get everyone talking. Adding themed food picks or tiny bows on rosemary sprigs really amps up the festive vibe.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

After the party, I recommend storing any leftover pinwheels in an airtight container in the fridge. They keep beautifully for up to 5 days, and because they’re wrapped in tortillas and cream cheese, they don’t dry out quickly.

Freezing

I have frozen the rolled, wrapped tortillas before slicing and found that it works well to extend their shelf life. Just be sure to thaw them completely in the fridge before slicing so they hold together nicely. Once sliced, though, I wouldn’t recommend freezing the pinwheels themselves as they can get mushy after thawing.

Reheating

I actually prefer these pinwheels served cold or at room temperature, but if you want to warm them slightly, pop them in a low oven (around 275°F) for 5–7 minutes—just enough to take the chill off without melting the cream cheese too much.

FAQs

Final Thoughts

This Christmas Tree Olive Cream Cheese Pinwheels Recipe is truly a little holiday gem I look forward to making every year. It’s one of those recipes that feels special without any fuss and always leaves my family and friends smiling. The best part? You don’t have to be a pro in the kitchen to get it just right. Give it a try, impress your crowd, and make some delicious memories — you’ll be glad you did!

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