15-Minute Festive Christmas Cranberry Roll Ups That Wow

Nothing says holiday cheer quite like a platter of Festive Christmas Cranberry Roll Ups disappearing at lightning speed during a party! I’ve been making these irresistible bites for years—ever since my sister-in-law showed up with them at our annual cookie exchange and completely stole the show. The best part? They come together in about 15 minutes flat, which is a Christmas miracle when you’re juggling a dozen other dishes.

As someone who hosts Christmas Eve appetizer potlucks for 30+ relatives (yes, I’m that aunt), I can tell you these roll ups check all the boxes. The creamy filling with pops of tart cranberry and crunchy pecans makes people go wild, and that drizzle of cranberry sauce? Pure holiday magic. What started as my secret weapon has now become our family’s most requested holiday appetizer—even my picky nephews devour them!

Why You’ll Love These Festive Christmas Cranberry Roll Ups

Let me count the ways these little bites will become your new holiday go-to! First off, they’re:

• Crazy easy – No oven required (because who has space in theirs during Christmas?)
• Ready in a flash – You can whip up a batch between wrapping presents and untangling lights
• Total crowd-pleasers – I’ve never seen a tray come back with even one roll up left
• Perfectly balanced – Sweet cranberries, creamy cheese, and that tiny cinnamon kick make magic happen

Honestly, these Festive Christmas Cranberry Roll Ups saved me last year when my main dish ran late. Guests were so busy nibbling, they didn’t even notice!

Ingredients for Festive Christmas Cranberry Roll Ups

Gather these simple ingredients—trust me, every single one plays a special role in making these roll ups irresistible! I’ve learned through trial and error that quality matters here, especially during the holidays when flavors need to shine.

• 8 oz cream cheese, softened – Leave it out for at least 30 minutes (cold cream cheese will tear your tortillas!)
• 1/4 cup dried cranberries – Look for the plump, juicy ones—not those sad, shriveled bits at the bottom of the bag
• 2 tbsp chopped pecans – Toast them first if you’re feeling fancy (it makes ALL the difference)
• 4 large flour tortillas – The burrito-size ones work best—they roll up beautifully without cracking
• 1/4 cup cranberry sauce – Jelly-style gives smoother results, but chunky homemade works too if that’s what you’ve got
• 1/4 tsp cinnamon – Just a whisper of spice to make the flavors pop without overwhelming

Pro tip from my many holiday fails: measure everything before you start mixing. Nothing’s worse than realizing mid-roll that you’re short on cranberries!

How to Make Festive Christmas Cranberry Roll Ups

Okay, friends – here’s where the magic happens! These roll ups couldn’t be simpler, but I’ve learned a few tricks over the years that take them from good to “can I have the recipe?” status. Grab your ingredients and let’s get rolling – literally!

Step 1: Prepare the Filling

First things first – that creamy, dreamy filling! Dump your softened cream cheese into a bowl (please tell me you remembered to take it out earlier – cold cheese equals torn tortilla disaster!). Add the dried cranberries, chopped pecans, and that pinch of cinnamon. Now grab a sturdy spoon and mix until everything’s beautifully combined and smooth. You’ll know it’s ready when you see no white streaks of cream cheese left – just a lovely peachy-pink mixture dotted with cranberries and nuts.

Step 2: Assemble the Roll Ups

Lay out your tortillas on a clean surface – I like to do them one at a time so they don’t dry out. Spread about 1/4 of the filling evenly over each tortilla, going nearly to the edges but leaving about a 1/2-inch border (this helps prevent squishing out when rolling). Now comes the fun part – drizzle that cranberry sauce over the top in zigzags or swirls – whatever makes your holiday heart happy!

Here’s my can’t-skip tip: Roll them TIGHTLY starting from one edge, tucking as you go. If they’re loose, your slices will fall apart later. A little pressure helps them hold their shape – but don’t go Hulk-mode or you’ll tear the tortillas!

Step 3: Chill Before Serving

Wrap each rolled tortilla snugly in plastic wrap – this is crucial! Pop them in the fridge for at least an hour (I know, the wait is torture). This lets the flavors meld and firms up everything so you get those perfect little pinwheel slices. When it’s time to serve, unwrap and slice diagonally into 1-inch pieces with a sharp knife – wiping it clean between cuts makes for prettier presentation.

See? Told you it was easy! Now try not to eat half the batch while “quality testing” before your guests arrive…

Tips for Perfect Festive Christmas Cranberry Roll Ups

After making these roll ups for every holiday party since 2015 (yes, I keep count!), here are my foolproof secrets:

• Soft cream cheese is non-negotiable – Leave it out 2 hours if your kitchen’s chilly, or microwave in 5-second bursts if you forgot (just don’t let it melt!)
• Chill time isn’t optional – That hour in the fridge turns messy potential into perfect slices that hold their shape
• Store like a pro – Layer slices between parchment in an airtight container; they’ll stay fresh for 3 days (if they last that long!)

Bonus tip: For holiday sparkle, roll the edges in crushed pistachios right before serving!

Variations for Festive Christmas Cranberry Roll Ups

One of my favorite things about this recipe? How easily you can mix things up while keeping that holiday magic! Here are my go-to twists when I want to surprise my guests (or just use what’s in my pantry):

• Nut swap: Walnuts work beautifully instead of pecans – their slight bitterness plays so nicely with the sweet cranberries. For nut-free versions, try toasted sunflower seeds for crunch.
• Zesty upgrade: Add 1/2 teaspoon of orange zest to the filling – the citrus brightens all the flavors and makes the cranberries pop even more.
• Cheese change-up: Swap half the cream cheese for goat cheese if you like a tangier bite (my sister’s obsessed with this version).
• Holiday glam: Roll the edges in crushed peppermint candies or festive sprinkles right before serving for extra Christmas cheer.

The best part? Nobody will ever guess these variations started as the same simple recipe – they always taste like you slaved for hours!

Serving Suggestions for Festive Christmas Cranberry Roll Ups

Now let’s talk about how to make these little beauties the star of your holiday spread! I always arrange my Festive Christmas Cranberry Roll Ups on a pretty platter with fresh rosemary sprigs and cranberries scattered around – it looks so fancy but takes two seconds. Here are my favorite ways to serve them:

• With bubbly drinks: The tart cranberries pair perfectly with prosecco or sparkling apple cider. That pop of fizz cuts through the creaminess so you can keep eating more (not that I’ve tested this theory extensively…)
• On a cheese board: These roll ups look gorgeous next to brie, gouda, and some sliced pears. The colors scream Christmas and the flavors complement each other beautifully.
• As a starter: I love setting out small plates with 2-3 roll ups per guest alongside some mixed nuts – it keeps everyone happy while the main dishes finish cooking.

Pro tip from my last holiday party: Put a little bowl of extra cranberry sauce for dipping on the side – your guests will go wild for it!

Storage & Reheating Instructions

Here’s the beautiful thing about these roll ups—they actually taste better after some fridge time! I always make them the night before parties because the flavors meld together so nicely. Just wrap any extras tightly in plastic wrap (I do each roll individually) and pop them in an airtight container. They’ll stay fresh and delicious for up to 3 days—though in my house, they never last that long!

Now, about reheating—you don’t need to! These are meant to be served chilled straight from the fridge. Trust me, I learned this the hard way when I tried warming one up in the microwave once… let’s just say it turned into a gooey mess that no amount of holiday cheer could fix. If you want to take the chill off slightly, just leave them on the counter for about 10 minutes before serving.

One quick warning: If you’re stacking the slices in a container, layer some parchment paper between them. Otherwise, they’ll stick together like Christmas ornaments tangled in lights—and nobody wants that!

Nutritional Information

Okay, let’s talk numbers – but before we do, I want to be totally transparent with you! These nutritional estimates are based on standard ingredients, but your exact counts might vary depending on brand choices or slight measurement differences. (We all know that “heaping tablespoon” we sometimes use when nobody’s looking!)

Each little Festive Christmas Cranberry Roll Up comes in at about 85 calories – which honestly makes them the perfect guilt-free holiday bite. Here’s the full breakdown per serving:

• Calories: 85
• Total fat: 4g (2g saturated)
• Carbs: 10g
• Fiber: 1g
• Sugar: 5g
• Protein: 2g

Now, I’m not a nutritionist (just your holiday-loving neighbor who tests recipes way too often), so please take these as friendly estimates rather than medical advice. The full nutrition details we used to calculate this are available if you need precise measurements for dietary needs.

Honestly? When I’m hosting during the holidays, I focus more on the joy these little roll ups bring than the numbers. But it’s nice to know you’re serving something that tastes indulgent without being too heavy – especially when there’s still pie waiting for dessert!

FAQ About Festive Christmas Cranberry Roll Ups

After years of making these for every holiday party imaginable, I’ve heard every question in the book! Here are the ones that come up most often – along with all my hard-earned answers from countless batches of these Festive Christmas Cranberry Roll Ups.

Can I use fresh cranberries instead of dried?

Oh honey, I learned this lesson the hard way! Fresh cranberries are way too tart and firm for these roll ups – they’ll make your filling watery and give you an unpleasant crunch. Stick with good-quality dried cranberries (the plump, sweet ones) for perfect results every time. If you’re in a pinch, chopped dried cherries or even raisins can work in a pinch!

How far in advance can I make these?

Here’s some great news – you can totally make these roll ups ahead of time! In fact, I strongly recommend making them at least the night before your party. Just wrap them tightly in plastic (each roll individually) and they’ll keep beautifully in the fridge for up to 3 days. The flavors actually get better as they mingle – it’s like a little holiday miracle in your refrigerator!

What’s the best gluten-free option?

For gluten-free Festive Christmas Cranberry Roll Ups that everyone will love, simply swap regular tortillas for your favorite gluten-free version. I’ve had great results with the almond flour or cassava flour tortillas – they roll up just as nicely as regular ones! Just be gentle when spreading the filling, as some GF tortillas can be a bit more delicate. Pro tip: Warm them slightly before rolling to prevent cracking!

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