Real Recipes From Real Home Cooks ®

pinwheel appetizers

(1 rating)
Recipe by
Pam Ellingson
Wichita, KS

I love to have little "noshy" things to pick up and snack on at parties so I made these for my nephew's Annual Oktoberfest party this weekend. I made almost 90 of these and came home with 8. I am sure there are others who make them, but in case someone doesn't have the recipe, here is my recipe with a German twist.

(1 rating)
yield serving(s)
prep time 30 Min
method No-Cook or Other

Ingredients For pinwheel appetizers

  • BASIC CREAM CHEESE SPREAD- MAKES ENOUGH FOR ONE VARIETY OF PINWHEEL
  • 16 oz
    cream cheese, room temperature
  • 2 to 4 Tbsp
    seasoning (mustard, dijon, honey mustard, whole grain mustard, salsa, teriyaki, hoisin, garlic chili sauce, horseradish, etc)
  • HAM PINWHEELS- USE ONE OF THE MUSTARDS TO SEASON THE CREAM CHEESE
  • 1 lb
    shaved deli ham
  • 1 jar
    claussen dill spears
  • 1/2 c
    finely chopped red and/or green bell peppers
  • 4 to 5 lg
    flour tortillas, burrito size
  • BEEF PINWHEELS- USE HORSERADISH, MUSTARD OR RUSSIAN/ THOUSAND ISLAND DRESSING TO SEASON CREAM CHEESE
  • 1 lb
    thin sliced deli roast beef or corned beef
  • 6 to 8 oz
    regular or bavarian sweet style sauerkraut
  • 4 to 6 oz
    swiss cheese, finely shredded
  • 1/4 c
    finely chopped red and/or green bell peppers or onion
  • 1 to 2 tsp
    bavarian seasoning (penzeys spices.com) optional
  • 4 to 5 lg
    flour tortillas, burrito size
  • VEGGIE PINWHEELS- THESE ARE GOOD WITH SALSA , HONEY MUSTARD OR TERIYAKI SAUCE IN THE CREAM CHEESE.
  • 4 to 6 oz
    mild goat cheese
  • 1 c
    finely chopped or shredded veggies. (carrots, celery, onion, broccoli, sun dried tomatoes, zucchini, etc)
  • 1/2 tsp
    seasoned salt
  • 4 to 6 oz
    finely shredded cheese (sharp cheddar, pepper jack, smoked gouda, asiago, parmesan, blue, etc)
  • 4 to 5 lg
    flour tortillas, burrito size

How To Make pinwheel appetizers

  • 1
    In a medium mixing bowl, beat the softened cream cheese with the chosen seasoning (Mustard, salsa, teriyaki, etc) Until well mixed and spreadable. (For the beef rollups, mix the Bavarian seasoning into the cream cheese mixture. And for veggie version, add the softened goat cheese to the cream cheese spread))
  • 2
    To make the rolls, place your flour tortilla on the work surface, spread with about 1/4 to 1/5 of the cream cheese mixture. Then proceed as for individual types below.
  • 3
    For Ham, layer thin slices of ham on top of the cream cheese, making sure to bring ham almost to the edge all around. Place one or two pickle spears crosswise on the lower third of the beef covered tortilla (you may have to cut the spears lengthwise if they are large). Roll tortilla as tightly as possible, and wrap tightly in plastic wrap, Refrigerate til cream cheese has rehardened.
  • 4
    For Beef, sprinkle a thin layer of chopped peppers, and shredded swiss on the cream cheese layer, place deli sliced beef or corned beef in a layer over the cheese and sprinkle on a thin layer of sauerkraut. Roll tortilla as tightly as possible, and wrap tightly in plastic wrap, Refrigerate til cream cheese has rehardened.
  • 5
    For Veggies, Finely chop the veggies of your choice, place them in a small bowl and toss with the seasoned salt. Let sit for about 10 minutes, then drain off accumulated liquid and squeeze out as much as possible. Sprinkle veggies and your choice of shredded cheese over the tortilla. Roll tortilla as tightly as possible, and wrap tightly in plastic wrap, Refrigerate til cream cheese has rehardened.
  • 6
    Before serving, unwrap the pinwheel rolls and cut into 1/2 inch thick rounds. Place on platter and serve.
  • 7
    I have seen these made up as sweet pinwheels using powdered sugar or brown sugar in the cream cheese spread and adding things like drained crushed pineapple or fruit preserves. I have not tried it, but it looked good.
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