Cranberry Walnut Pinwheel Cookies are festive, flaky spirals made from pie crust rolled with a sweet cranberry-walnut-orange filling. They’re buttery, crisp, and lightly glazed with honey for a shiny finish. Perfect for gifting, holiday parties, or a quick cookie recipe that looks impressive without the effort.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

You’ll love how incredibly easy and beautiful these cookies are—thanks to using store-bought pie crust, the prep time is minimal while the results are bakery-worthy. The combination of dried cranberries, walnuts, and citrus zest creates a bright, sweet, and slightly tart flavor wrapped in a golden, flaky crust. They slice cleanly, bake quickly, and make stunning holiday cookie platter additions.

Cranberry Walnut Pinwheels Cookies

Cranberry Walnut Pinwheel Cookies are the kind of recipe that feel festive from the very first bite. The swirl of red cranberries, crunchy walnuts, and fragrant orange zest creates a cookie that’s both visually stunning and full of warm, holiday flavors. Whether you’re preparing for a cookie exchange, entertaining guests, or craving a quick seasonal treat, these pinwheels check every box.

What makes these cookies especially convenient is the use of refrigerated pie crust. Instead of spending time making dough from scratch, you get the flaky, buttery texture of pastry with minimal prep. It’s the perfect shortcut that still delivers beautiful and delicious results. This also makes the recipe beginner-friendly—no special baking skills required.

The cranberry-walnut filling adds a delightful contrast of textures and flavors. The dried cranberries bring sweetness and chewiness, while the chopped walnuts add richness and crunch. When paired with the bright pop of orange zest, the filling becomes fragrant, refreshing, and perfectly balanced. Every swirl holds a little burst of winter citrus.

Because these cookies are rolled, sliced, and baked, they have an elegant look that seems more complicated than it actually is. The spiral pattern naturally forms as you roll the crust into a log, and once baked, the cookies puff slightly while maintaining their beautiful shape. They’re the kind of treat that makes people say “Wow!” before they even take a bite.

Another great benefit of this recipe is its adaptability. You can make the logs ahead of time and refrigerate or freeze them until you’re ready to slice and bake. This makes them ideal for holiday baking prep or last-minute gatherings. The dough firms up quickly in the freezer, making clean, even slices incredibly easy.

These pinwheel cookies also bake in just 12–15 minutes, meaning you can whip up a batch in under 30 minutes from start to finish. The aroma of orange and warm pastry filling the kitchen makes the experience even more inviting. They cool quickly and are ready to plate shortly after baking.

The finishing drizzle of honey takes these cookies from delicious to extraordinary. It adds a glossy shine, amplifies the sweetness, and creates a beautiful presentation. The honey glaze blends perfectly with the cranberry-orange flavors, making each bite taste like a festive celebration.

Whether you enjoy them warm from the oven or at room temperature, these cookies maintain their flaky, crisp edges and soft, flavorful centers. They store well and travel beautifully, which makes them great for gifting in cookie tins, holiday baskets, or party trays.

These cookies are not just for holidays—they work beautifully year-round. The ingredients are simple pantry staples, and the flavor profile is bright enough for spring baking while still cozy enough for winter. Their simplicity and adaptability make them a recipe to keep in your rotation.

Cranberry Walnut Pinwheel Cookies prove that you don’t need complicated ingredients to make something memorable. With minimal effort, you’ll have a tray of gorgeous cookies filled with sweet, tangy, citrus-infused goodness that everyone will love. Once you try them, they may just become your go-to cookie for every special occasion.

Servings & Time

Servings: 20 pinwheel cookies
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 12–15 minutes
Cooling Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: ~35–40 minutes

Ingredients

• 1 cup dried cranberries, chopped

• 1 cup chopped walnuts

• 1/2 cup sugar

• Zest of 1 orange

• 2 refrigerated pie crusts (such as Pillsbury)

• 2 tablespoons butter, melted

• 1 whole egg

• 2 tablespoons water

• Honey, for drizzling

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 400°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

2. Mix cranberries, walnuts, sugar, and orange zest in a bowl.

3. Roll each refrigerated pie crust into a square on a lightly floured surface.

4. Brush both crusts generously with melted butter.

5. Spread cranberry mixture evenly over each crust without overfilling.

6. Roll each crust tightly into a log and pinch the edges to seal.

7. Beat the egg and water together to make an egg wash.

8. Brush the outside of each log with egg wash.

9. Slice each log into 10 even pieces; freeze logs for 10–15 minutes if cutting is difficult.

10. Place slices cut-side up on the prepared baking sheet, spacing them 1 inch apart.

11. Bake 12–15 minutes or until golden brown.

12. Transfer cookies to a cooling rack and drizzle each with honey.

Tips

Ingredient Substitutions

• Substitute pecans for walnuts for a softer, sweeter nut flavor.

• Replace honey with maple syrup or a powdered sugar glaze.

• Add cinnamon or nutmeg to the filling for extra warmth.

Make-Ahead & Storage

• Prepare logs in advance and freeze for up to 2 months.

• Store baked pinwheels in an airtight container for 4–5 days.

• Reheat in the oven at 300°F for 5 minutes to refresh crispiness.

Serving Variations

• Serve with vanilla ice cream for a dessert twist.

• Add mini chocolate chips to the filling for a richer flavor.

• Dust cooled cookies with powdered sugar for a snowy holiday look.

Avoid Common Mistakes

• Don’t overfill the crust or the logs will crack while rolling.

• Make sure the dough is firm before slicing to avoid squashing the spiral.

• Avoid overbaking—golden edges are enough to keep them flaky and soft.