Okay, so imagine this: the holiday season is in full swing, you’ve got a million things to do, and then BAM! Someone invites you to a last-minute holiday work party or a casual get-together. Panic? Not on my watch! These Festive Christmas Cranberry Roll Ups are my absolute secret weapon. They taste like pure Christmas magic, look super fancy, but honestly, they’re ridiculously easy to whip up. Seriously, I’ve made these for countless holiday events, and they always disappear first. They’re just that perfect little bite of sweet and tangy goodness that everyone loves.
Why You’ll Love These Festive Christmas Cranberry Roll Ups
- So incredibly easy to make – perfect for when you’re short on time!
- That sweet and tangy cranberry-cream cheese combo is pure holiday joy.
- They look so festive and pretty on any party platter.
- A total crowd-pleaser that fits right in with all your easy Christmas party recipes.
A Personal Touch to Your Holiday Spread
I remember one year, I was scrambling to find something to bring to my neighbor’s holiday open house. I barely had an hour before I had to leave! These roll-ups saved the day. I whipped them up while my coffee was brewing, and everyone raved about them. It felt so good to bring something homemade and festive, even when I was totally rushed. They’ve been a staple in my holiday entertaining arsenal ever since!
Gathering Your Festive Christmas Cranberry Roll Ups Ingredients
Alright, let’s get down to business! To make these amazing Festive Christmas Cranberry Roll Ups, you don’t need a ton of fancy stuff. It’s all about simple, good ingredients coming together. You’ll need eight ounces of cream cheese, and make sure it’s softened! Trust me, trying to mix cold cream cheese is a recipe for frustration. Grab about a quarter cup of whole berry cranberry sauce – the kind with the little berries is my favorite for texture, but we’ll talk substitutions in a sec. You’ll also need a tablespoon of powdered sugar, half a teaspoon of vanilla extract, a quarter teaspoon of ground cinnamon, and just a tiny pinch of ground nutmeg. Oh, and of course, six regular flour tortillas. That’s pretty much it! Easy peasy, right?
Essential Ingredients for Christmas Roll Ups
The stars of the show here are really the cream cheese and the cranberry sauce. Using softened cream cheese is key for a super smooth filling. And for the cranberries, using whole berry sauce gives you those lovely little bursts of tartness that really make these Christmas roll ups pop. The vanilla and spices just round everything out perfectly, making it smell and taste like the holidays!
Ingredient Notes and Potential Substitutions
Now, about that cranberry sauce. If you’re not a fan of the whole berries or just can’t find it, jellied cranberry sauce works too! It’ll give you a smoother filling, which is also delicious. Just make sure to chop it up a bit if it’s a really firm block. And if you’re feeling adventurous, a little pinch of orange zest stirred into the cream cheese mixture adds a bright, citrusy note that pairs beautifully with the cranberries. For the tortillas, any medium-sized flour tortillas will do the trick. Just make sure they’re fresh so they roll up nicely without cracking!
Crafting Your Festive Christmas Cranberry Roll Ups Step-by-Step
Okay, here’s where the magic really happens! It’s so straightforward, you’ll be amazed. We’re going to walk through making these little festive bites together. Don’t worry if you’re not a seasoned baker; these steps are super simple and totally foolproof. We want these to be perfect for all your holiday entertaining, and trust me, these steps get you there!
Preparing the Cream Cheese Filling for Christmas Roll Ups
First things first, let’s get that luscious filling ready. Grab a medium-sized bowl. Pop in your softened cream cheese – remember, soft is best! – and beat it with a mixer or even just a sturdy whisk until it’s nice and smooth. No lumps allowed! Now, gently stir in your whole berry cranberry sauce. I love the texture it adds, but if you used jellied, just make sure it’s broken up a bit. Next, add in that tablespoon of powdered sugar, the vanilla extract, that lovely bit of cinnamon, and just a whisper of nutmeg. Mix it all up until everything is perfectly combined and looks like a beautiful, festive frosting. This is your flavor powerhouse for these Christmas roll ups cream cheeses!
Assembling and Chilling Your Holiday Roll Ups
Now for the fun part: assembly! Lay out one of your flour tortillas. Grab a spatula or a butter knife and spread a generous, even layer of that delicious cranberry cream cheese mixture all over it. Try to leave a little border around the edges so the filling doesn’t ooze out too much when you roll it. Carefully and tightly roll up the tortilla, like you’re making a little wrap. Repeat this with the rest of your tortillas and filling. Once they’re all rolled, wrap each one individually and tightly in plastic wrap. This is super important for keeping them firm! Pop them into the fridge for at least an hour. This chilling step is crucial for making sure they hold their shape when you slice them. These holiday roll ups need that chill time to become perfectly sliceable!
Serving and Storing Your Festive Christmas Cranberry Roll Ups
Once your Festive Christmas Cranberry Roll Ups have had a good chill, it’s time to make them party-ready! Just unwrap each log and use a sharp knife to slice them into about 1-inch pieces. They look so cute all lined up on a platter, don’t they? They’re basically little cranberry-swirled jewels!
Perfect Presentation for Christmas Roll Ups
Arrange the sliced Christmas roll ups on a festive platter. A sprinkle of a few extra fresh cranberries or a tiny dusting of powdered sugar can make them look extra special. They really do add a pop of color to any holiday spread!
Storing Leftover Christmas Roll Ups
If, by some miracle, you have any leftovers, just wrap them back up tightly in plastic wrap or pop them into an airtight container. They’ll stay good in the fridge for a couple of days. I usually just eat them cold straight from the fridge – they’re still delicious!
Frequently Asked Questions About Christmas Roll Ups
Got questions about these festive little bites? I’ve got answers! These are some things people often ask me about making these Christmas roll ups.
Q1. Can I make these ahead of time for a holiday work party?
Absolutely! These are fantastic dishes to bring to a Christmas party because you can totally make them a day in advance. Just wrap them up tight and keep them in the fridge. They’re actually easier to slice when they’ve had a good chill!
Q2. What if I don’t have whole berry cranberry sauce?
No worries at all! Jellied cranberry sauce works just fine for these Christmas roll up appetizers. You might want to chop it up a bit if it’s a really firm block, but it’ll still give you that wonderful festive flavor and color.
Q3. Are these considered easy Christmas appetizers for a party?
Oh, 100%! These are literally my go-to for easy Christmas party recipes. They take hardly any time to mix and roll, and the chilling does most of the work. Plus, they always look so impressive!
Q4. Can I add other flavors to the cream cheese mixture?
You sure can! A little pinch of orange zest is a popular addition that goes beautifully with the cranberry. Some people even add a tiny bit of almond extract if they like that flavor. Get creative!
Estimated Nutritional Information for Festive Christmas Cranberry Roll Ups
Okay, so while these Festive Christmas Cranberry Roll Ups are totally delicious and perfect for your holiday get-togethers, it’s good to have a general idea of what’s in them. Keep in mind these are just estimates, since portion sizes can vary a little and different brands might have slightly different values. But for about 3 pieces, you’re looking at roughly 150 calories. You’ll get about 10 grams of fat, with 6 grams of that being saturated fat. There are around 12 grams of carbohydrates, 1 gram of fiber, and about 3 grams of protein. Plus, there’s a bit of sugar in there, around 8 grams, and a little bit of sodium too. They’re a treat, for sure!
I just LOVE hearing from you all! If you give these Festive Christmas Cranberry Roll Ups a try, please let me know how they turned out in the comments below. Did you add anything special? How did they go over at your party? I’d be thrilled to hear all about your holiday baking adventures! You can also find more festive ideas on Pinterest.
PrintAmazing Cranberry Christmas Roll Ups 16
- Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
- Yield: Approx. 36 pieces
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Festive Christmas Cranberry Roll Ups are a delightful and easy appetizer perfect for holiday gatherings. These sweet and tangy roll-ups combine cream cheese and cranberry sauce for a burst of festive flavor.
Ingredients
- 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 1/4 cup whole berry cranberry sauce
- 1 tablespoon powdered sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- Pinch of ground nutmeg
- 6 flour tortillas
Instructions
- In a medium bowl, beat the softened cream cheese until smooth.
- Stir in the cranberry sauce, powdered sugar, vanilla extract, cinnamon, and nutmeg until well combined.
- Spread the cream cheese mixture evenly over each flour tortilla, leaving a small border.
- Tightly roll up each tortilla.
- Wrap each roll tightly in plastic wrap.
- Chill for at least 1 hour to allow the rolls to firm up.
- Before serving, unwrap the rolls and slice them into 1-inch pieces.
Notes
- For a smoother consistency, you can use jellied cranberry sauce instead of whole berry.
- Add a pinch of orange zest to the cream cheese mixture for an extra citrus note.
- These can be made a day in advance.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: No-Bake
- Cuisine: American