Sausage Cranberry Pinwheels

Jump to Recipe

Sausage cranberry pinwheels are an easy holiday appetizer made with savory sausage, sweet dried cranberries, and flaky pastry rolled into bite-sized spirals. They're perfect for Thanksgiving, Christmas, holiday parties, and make-ahead entertaining.

An overhead view of a wood rectangle platter topped with nine sausage cranberry pinwheels. Fresh rosemary surrounds them and the platter is sitting on an orange plaid napkin.

Ingredients

Ground Pork Sausage
Cream Cheese
Dried Cranberries
Dijon Mustard
Dried Sage
Black Pepper
Puff Pastry Sheets
Large Egg
Water

How to Make Sausage Cranberry Pinwheels

A round white bowl of ingredients: pork sausage, cream cheese, black pepper, dried cranberries, and Dijon mustard.

A round white bowl of ingredients for sausage cranberry pinwheels mixed together with a fork.

Cook the ground pork sausage in a large skillet over medium heat, breaking it into very small crumbles as it cooks. Drain the excess grease and allow the sausage to cool for approximately 10 minutes.
In a bowl, combine the cooked sausage, cream cheese, dried cranberries, Dijon mustard, sage, and black pepper.

A process shot of a white cutting board topped with a square of puff pastry dough that's been rolled flat. A marble rolling pin sits next to it.

A process shot of a white cutting board with a flat layer of puff pastry dough topped with pork sausage mixture.

Unfold one sheet of puff pastry onto a lightly floured surface.
Spread half of the sausage mixture evenly over the pastry, leaving approximately ½ inch uncovered along one edge. This space will be the seal when you roll it into a log.
Starting on the opposite side of the ½-inch seal, tightly roll the pastry into a log. Press the seal closed.
Repeat with the remaining puff pastry and filling.
Refrigerate for 30 minutes to make them easier to slice.
Preheat the oven to 400°F. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.

A gray cutting board with fourteen slices of stuffed puff pastry. A pink knife sits on the edge of the cutting board.

A gray baking sheet with fifteen slices of sausage cranberry pinwheels. A gray pastry brush is adding egg wash to the top of each slice.

Cut each log into approximately 14 slices. Arrange the slices cut-side up on the prepared baking sheets.
Whisk together the egg and water. Lightly brush the exposed puff pastry with the egg wash.
Bake for 22-26 minutes, until puffed and golden brown.

A closeup of sausage cranberry pinwheels on a wood platter.

Tips for Making Sausage Cranberry Pinwheels

Bake until golden brown. The dough should be crisp and golden, and the sausage should be completely cooked through.
Let the sausage mixture cool slightly before assembling. A very hot filling can soften the dough, causing it to make holes.
Don't overfill the dough. Spread the filling in a fairly thin, even layer so it stays inside the pinwheels instead of squeezing out as you roll.
Roll them tightly. A snug roll helps the pinwheels hold their spiral shape while baking.
Chill before slicing if needed. I highly recommend refrigerating the rolled dough for about 30 minutes. Firmer dough is much easier to cut into clean slices.
Use a sharp knife. Slice straight down rather than sawing back and forth to keep the pinwheels round.
Leave space on the baking sheet. The pinwheels will puff and spread slightly as they bake.

A closeup of sausage cranberry pinwheels and fresh rosemary on a wood platter.

FAQ

Can I make sausage cranberry pinwheels ahead of time?

Yes. Assemble and slice the pinwheels, place them on the prepared baking sheet, cover, and refrigerate until you are ready to bake. They are a great make-ahead appetizer for Thanksgiving or holiday parties.

Can I use turkey sausage?

Yes. Turkey sausage can be substituted for pork sausage. Just make sure it is fully cooked before serving.

How do I store leftover sausage cranberry pinwheels?

Store cooled pinwheels in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.

How do I reheat them?

Reheat them in a 350°F oven or air fryer until warmed through. This helps crisp the outside again better than reheating them in the microwave.

Can sausage cranberry pinwheels be frozen?

Yes. Baked pinwheels can be cooled completely and frozen in an airtight container. Reheat them from frozen or thaw them overnight in the refrigerator before warming.

What can I serve with sausage cranberry pinwheels?

They work well on a Thanksgiving or Christmas appetizer spread and are especially good with maple Dijon mustard or a creamy Dijon dipping sauce.

Recommended Recipes