Delicious Turkey Cranberry Brie Pinwheels: Your Ultimate Holiday Appetizer

As the festive season approaches, our thoughts inevitably turn to gatherings with loved ones and, of course, the delectable dishes that will grace our tables. This year, why not elevate your holiday spread with an appetizer that promises both ease of preparation and an explosion of flavor? Introducing Turkey Cranberry Brie Pinwheels – a magnificent blend of textures and tastes that will undoubtedly become a highlight of any celebration. These delightful pinwheels offer the perfect balance of sweet, savory, and creamy, all wrapped in a golden, flaky crescent roll dough.

Imagine the tangy burst of fresh cranberries mingling with the rich, buttery notes of brie cheese, perfectly complemented by the savory depth of lean turkey. Encased in a soft, golden crescent, each bite delivers a harmonious symphony of flavors that is truly irresistible. Best of all, this impressive appetizer requires only four simple ingredients and minimal prep time, meaning you can whip up a batch (or two!) of these beauties without stress. They are not just incredibly tasty, but also incredibly versatile, making them ideal for Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year’s, or any casual get-together.

For those mindful of their dietary goals, these pinwheels offer an additional layer of appeal: they are remarkably guilt-free! Coming in at a budget-friendly 2 WW points each on all programs, you can indulge in these homemade delights without a second thought. So, bypass those generic store-bought appetizers and truly impress your guests with a creation that’s both homemade and health-conscious. These Turkey Cranberry Brie Pinwheels are destined to be the perfect finger food for any gathering, a guaranteed show-stopper at your holiday feast, or a much-loved addition to any potluck event.

Top Reasons Why You Need to Make These Turkey Cranberry Pinwheels!

The Ultimate Holiday Appetizer

These pinwheels are a show-stopping addition to any holiday table. Their vibrant colors of red cranberries, golden crescent dough, and the subtle hints of turkey and brie instantly evoke a festive spirit. They are perfectly sized for mingling, allowing guests to easily enjoy a delicious bite without needing cutlery. Whether it’s the centerpiece of your Thanksgiving spread, a festive touch for Christmas Eve, or a delightful snack for New Year’s Day, these turkey cranberry pinwheels are sure to gather compliments and disappear quickly.

Perfect for Post-Thanksgiving Day Snacking

One of the best ways to extend the joy of Thanksgiving is by creatively utilizing leftovers. This recipe provides an excellent opportunity to transform your leftover turkey into something new and exciting. Instead of serving the same old turkey sandwiches, whip up a batch of these pinwheels the day after Thanksgiving. It’s a fantastic way to enjoy those lingering holiday flavors in a fresh, reinvented format, offering a delightful change of pace without straying too far from the celebratory theme.

Visually Stunning and Effortlessly Festive

Presentation is key, especially during the holidays. Turkey cranberry pinwheels are inherently beautiful and decorative. Arranged neatly on a platter, their spiraled layers and inviting colors create an appealing display that enhances any buffet or dinner party table. They add a sophisticated yet approachable touch of festiveness, proving that delicious food can also be a feast for the eyes.

A Delicious Twist on Classic Pinwheel Recipes

While ham and cheese pinwheels are a beloved classic, these turkey cranberry variations offer a refreshing and unique flavor profile. The sweet and tart cranberries, combined with the creamy brie and savory turkey, create a more complex and exciting taste experience. This makes them a fantastic option for a fun weekend brunch, a light and satisfying meal prep lunch, or simply when you’re craving something a little different from the norm. Introducing variety into your meals, especially when managing a diet, makes healthy eating far more sustainable and enjoyable.

Weight Watchers Friendly Indulgence

For those following Weight Watchers, finding delicious and satisfying appetizers that fit within your daily points can be a challenge. This recipe is a game-changer! At just 2 WW points per pinwheel, you can enjoy a flavorful, festive snack without compromising your health goals. This low point value makes these pinwheels an accessible and guilt-free treat, perfect for maintaining balance during a time often associated with overindulgence.

Ingredients You Need to Make Turkey Cranberry Pinwheels:

Gathering your ingredients for these delightful pinwheels is straightforward, requiring just four key items. Each component plays a crucial role in creating the perfect balance of flavors and textures.

• 1 package Pillsbury reduced fat crescent rolls: These provide the flaky, buttery base for our pinwheels. Using reduced-fat crescent rolls helps keep the Weight Watchers points low without sacrificing texture or flavor.
• 4 lean deli turkey slices, 1oz/30g each: The savory heart of the pinwheels. Lean deli turkey is an excellent choice for its low-fat content and mild flavor, allowing the cranberries and brie to shine. You can also use thinly sliced leftover roasted turkey if you have it!
• Light brie cheese, 3oz/90g, crumbled: Brie cheese adds a luxurious creaminess and distinct flavor that pairs beautifully with cranberries. Opting for light brie helps manage the fat content while still delivering that desired melty texture. Crumbled brie distributes more evenly throughout the pinwheel.
• 1 ¼ cup fresh cranberries: These are the stars of the show, providing a bright, tart counterpoint to the rich cheese and savory turkey. Fresh cranberries are a fantastic choice, especially for Weight Watchers, as they are zero points and offer vibrant color and natural flavor.

How to Make Turkey Cranberry Pinwheels (Step-by-Step):

Creating these festive pinwheels is incredibly simple. Follow these easy steps for a delicious appetizer everyone will rave about.

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) to ensure it’s ready for baking. Lightly spray a baking sheet with nonstick cooking spray or line it with parchment paper for easy cleanup and to prevent sticking.
2. Wash the fresh cranberries thoroughly. Place them in a food processor and pulse for about 1 minute until they are finely chopped but not pureed. You want a coarse, crumbly texture.
3. After processing the cranberries, give your food processor a quick wash. Then, add the light brie cheese and pulse until it’s finely crumbled. This ensures even distribution in the pinwheels.
4. Carefully unroll the package of crescent roll dough. Lay out the dough, typically forming two rectangular pieces from the perforated triangles (each rectangle should be made of 4 crescent rolls). Firmly pinch together any open seams between the triangles to create a solid surface, ensuring your filling stays contained.
5. On top of each dough piece, arrange two slices of lean deli turkey, making sure to cover the entire surface as much as possible. If necessary, trim small pieces of turkey to fill any corners or gaps, creating an even layer.
6. Generously top the turkey layer with the processed cranberries, spreading them evenly across both dough rectangles. Follow this by sprinkling the crumbled brie cheese over the cranberries.
7. Starting from one of the long edges, carefully and tightly roll up each dough piece into a log. Pinch together any open seams at the edges or ends to seal the filling inside.
8. Using a sharp knife, cut each rolled-up dough log into 8 even pieces. A trick for even cutting is to first cut the roll in half, then cut each half in half, and then each quarter in half. This will give you 8 uniformly sized pinwheels per roll.
9. Carefully transfer the cut pinwheels to your prepared baking tray. A spatula can be helpful here to maintain their shape. Arrange them with a little space in between to allow for even baking.
10. Bake for 18-20 minutes, or until the crescent roll dough is puffed up and beautifully golden brown. The cheese should be melted and bubbly.
11. Serve these delicious Turkey Cranberry Brie Pinwheels warm for the best flavor and texture. Enjoy your festive creation!

This recipe yields 16 pinwheels. Each pinwheel has the following approximate nutrition information: Calories 70, Fat 3 g, Saturated fat 1.04 g, Carbs 8 g, Fiber 0.31 g, Sugars 1.93 g, Sodium 217.48 mg, Protein 3 g.

Weight Watchers Points For Turkey Cranberry Pinwheels

One of the fantastic benefits of these Turkey Cranberry Brie Pinwheels is their suitability for those following the Weight Watchers program. With careful ingredient choices, you can enjoy a flavorful and satisfying appetizer without derailing your health and wellness journey. Here’s a breakdown of the point values for the ingredients, contributing to a wonderfully low point total per serving:

• Pillsbury reduced fat crescent rolls: 27 points (for the entire package)
• Lean deli turkey slices: 0 points
• Light brie cheese: 7 points (for 3oz/90g)
• Fresh cranberries: 0 points

Based on the Weight Watchers app recipe creator, each serving (1 pinwheel) comes in at a remarkably low 2 points. This makes them an excellent choice for a snack or appetizer when you want to enjoy something delicious and festive.

If you’re using an older version of WW, check out these points below for consistency:

• Personal Points: 2 using WW recipe builder
• SP Freestyle (blue & purple): 2 using WW recipe builder
• Smart Points (green): 2 using WW recipe builder
• Points Plus: 2 using PP calculator

Different Ways to Change Up This Recipe: Creative Variations to Explore

While the classic Turkey Cranberry Brie Pinwheel recipe is undeniably delicious, it’s also wonderfully adaptable! Feel free to experiment with these variations to suit your taste, use ingredients you have on hand, or simply try something new.

• Cranberry Alternatives: You can certainly use cranberry sauce instead of fresh cranberries. However, be mindful that using cranberry sauce will likely increase the Weight Watchers points due to added sugars. If you prefer a sweeter profile, a sugar-free or reduced-sugar cranberry sauce could be a good compromise, but fresh cranberries remain the zero-point champion on Weight Watchers.
• Cheese Swaps: Not a fan of brie, or looking for something different? Cream cheese (lightened version for WW) offers a tangier, milder creaminess. Goat cheese would add a distinct, slightly tart flavor. Even a sharp cheddar or Swiss cheese could work if you prefer a more traditional savory profile.
• Protein Substitutions: While turkey is perfect for the holidays, you could easily swap it out. Thinly sliced lean ham or shredded cooked chicken would make excellent alternatives, transforming this into a year-round appetizer. For a vegetarian option, consider a layer of sautéed spinach and caramelized onions.
• Herb & Spice Additions: Elevate the flavor with fresh herbs like finely chopped rosemary, thyme, or sage – herbs that notoriously complement turkey and cranberries. A dash of black pepper, a pinch of orange zest (which brightens the cranberry flavor), or even a tiny bit of cayenne for a subtle kick can add an exciting dimension.
• Nutty Texture: For added crunch and flavor, sprinkle a thin layer of finely chopped pecans or walnuts over the cranberry and cheese layers before rolling.

Tips and Tricks for Making Perfect Turkey Cranberry Pinwheels:

Achieving perfectly uniform and delicious pinwheels is easy with a few simple techniques. These tips will help you make the most of this versatile recipe, from preparation to storage and serving.

• The Easiest Way to Cut Evenly: To ensure all your pinwheels are roughly the same size and bake uniformly, here’s a foolproof cutting method. After rolling your dough into a log, first cut the log exactly in the middle to create two equal halves. Then, cut each of those halves in the middle again, resulting in four equal pieces. Finally, cut each of those four pieces in half one last time. This will give you a total of 8 perfectly sized pinwheels per roll, ensuring consistent baking and presentation. A sharp knife is crucial for clean cuts.
• Make Ahead Option: These pinwheels are great for meal prepping! You can assemble the rolls (steps 1-6) and refrigerate them, uncut, for up to 24 hours. When ready to bake, simply slice and proceed with baking. This makes entertaining much easier as you can do most of the prep in advance.
• Storage Solutions: Once baked, these pinwheels keep beautifully in an airtight container in the fridge for up to seven days. They are a fantastic snack to have on hand throughout the week. For longer storage, you can freeze them after baking. Arrange cooled pinwheels in a single layer on a baking sheet to freeze, then transfer to a freezer-safe bag or container for up to 1-2 months.
• Reheating for Optimal Enjoyment: Leftover pinwheels reheat easily and maintain their deliciousness. For quick reheating, the microwave works well. For a crispier texture that mimics fresh-baked, use an air fryer set to 350°F (175°C) for a few minutes, or reheat them in a conventional oven until warmed through and the dough is slightly crispy again.
• Serving Suggestions: While these pinwheels are fantastic on their own, you can elevate the experience with a simple dip. A dollop of plain Greek yogurt mixed with a tiny bit of honey or a sprinkle of fresh chives could complement the flavors. A small bowl of honey mustard or even extra cranberry sauce on the side provides an extra layer of taste.
• Don’t Overfill: While it’s tempting to load up on the delicious fillings, overfilling your crescent rolls can make them difficult to roll and prone to bursting during baking. Stick to the recommended quantities for best results.

Similar Recipes You’ll Enjoy:

If you loved these Turkey Cranberry Brie Pinwheels, you might also enjoy exploring other easy and delicious recipes that are perfect for snacks, appetizers, or light meals. Many of these also offer Weight Watchers friendly options!

• Homemade Zero Point Tomato Sauce
• Weight Watchers Gingerbread Cookies
• Wonton Pizza Crisps

These Turkey Cranberry Brie Pinwheels are more than just an appetizer; they are a celebration of flavors, convenience, and mindful eating. Whether you’re hosting a grand holiday feast, looking for creative ways to use up Thanksgiving leftovers, or simply want a delicious and healthy snack, this recipe delivers on all fronts. Easy to make, beautiful to behold, and incredibly satisfying, they are guaranteed to be a hit with everyone who tries them. So, gather your ingredients, follow these simple steps, and prepare to delight your taste buds with this unforgettable festive treat!