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Cranberry Walnut Pinwheels Cookies

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.
Prep Time15 minutes
Cook Time15 minutes
Cooling Time10 minutes
Total Time40 minutes
Servings: 20

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

  • Preheat oven to 400°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
  • Mix cranberries, walnuts, sugar, and orange zest in a bowl.
  • Roll each refrigerated pie crust into a square on a lightly floured surface.
  • Brush both crusts generously with melted butter.
  • Spread cranberry mixture evenly over each crust without overfilling.
  • Roll each crust tightly into a log and pinch the edges to seal.
  • Beat the egg and water together to make an egg wash.
  • Brush the outside of each log with egg wash.
  • Slice each log into 10 even pieces; freeze logs for 10–15 minutes if cutting is difficult.
  • Place slices cut-side up on the prepared baking sheet, spacing them 1 inch apart.
  • Bake 12–15 minutes or until golden brown.
  • Transfer cookies to a cooling rack and drizzle each with honey.

Notes

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.