These stilton pinwheels with walnuts and honey are easy, elegant cocktail appetizers made with puff pastry, cream cheese, stilton, and walnuts.
Whether for an elegant holiday dinner party or a casual post-Christmas meal with friends, if you want to entertain a crowd without a lot of work and get oohs and aahs in the process, serve these tasty appetizers.–Sara Perry
☞ Contents
Stilton Pinwheels with Walnuts and Honey
Ingredients
- 1/3 cup Stilton or other blue cheese at room temperature
- 1/4 cup cream cheese at room temperature
- All-purpose flour for the work surface
- 1 sheet purchased frozen puff pastry thawed
- 2 cups walnut halves
- Honey for drizzling
Directions
- In a mini-processor or by hand, mix the blue cheese and cream cheese until blended.
- On a lightly floured work surface, unfold the pastry according to the package directions. Cut it in half lengthwise.
- Carefully spread half of the cheese mixture over the pastry leaving a 1/4-inch border on 1 long edge. Beginning with the long coated edge, tightly roll the pastry, forming a long jelly roll-style log. Moisten the uncoated border with water and pinch the edge to form a secure seam. Wrap in plastic wrap and freeze for 1 hour or until ready to bake. Repeat with the remaining piece of pastry and cheese mixture.
- Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or leave it unbuttered.
- Remove 1 log at a time from the freezer and unwrap it on a cutting board. Thaw slightly.
- Measure and mark 1/4-inch increments and slice with a serrated knife. Arrange the pinwheels on the baking sheet, at least 1 inch apart. Gently press 1 walnut half into the center of each pinwheel. Bake until the pastry is golden brown, 10 to 12 minutes.
- Remove from the oven and, using a teaspoon or squeeze bottle, drizzle with a crisscross thread of honey. Serve immediately.
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Recipe Testers’ Reviews
This is fast, easy, and delicious, and I’ll definitely make it again in large batches to freeze for last-minute guests. The blue cheese, walnut, and honey just sing in your mouth. The only change I’d make to the actual instructions for these delectable, sharp, and sweetly balanced nibbles is to cut the pastry on the diagonal, as opposed to coins, to make the hors d’oeuvres a little larger and more appealing. And the idea of this quick puff pastry treat really does get your creative juices flowing: maybe use marscapone instead of cream cheese with the blue cheese, or goat cheese and sun-dried tomato or pesto sauce, orange infused cream cheese with a pecan on top, etc.
These stilton pinwheels were delicious and easy to make. This is the type of recipe that can be made ahead of time and kept in the freezer until needed. I put together the recipe but only baked 1 roll and they were consumed almost immediately. Now I have the 2nd roll available for weekend guests.
The instructions for filling and rolling the pinwheels are accurate. Be sure the cheese is at room temperature so that it spreads easily.
I really like the flavor and look of this appetizer. The walnut on top are great. There’s plenty for a party. I really like that you could make these ahead and leave them in the freezer to use at the last minute.
I would increase the temperature to 425°F and make sure it has a little more golden color than the photo. The flavor will come out more with more browning to a deeper color. I would use this higher temperature, turn the sheet halfway to check color, use the timing listed as a rough guide (10 to 12 minutes) and add more time if needed.
Oh man, these were delish! We had some as soon as they were cool enough to eat with a little white Port. A very nice pairing for an elegant snack. This recipe comes together very easily and I can see keeping a log in the freezer for an easy cocktail party dish.
The recipe calls for pastry sheets to be cut in half lengthwise. The sheets I used (the most common ones available, Pepperidge Farm) seemed a bit too small after being cut lengthwise, so I used a full sheet for the next batch (about 10 to 11 inches) and that made a nice size roll. The addition of honey at the end just puts this right over the moon.
Easy and very yummy. The addition of honey at the end just puts this right over the moon.
Originally published December 15, 2019
HUNGRY FOR MORE?
If you make this recipe, snap a photo and hashtag it #LeitesCulinaria. We'd love to see your creations on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.
Would pecans be as good as the walnuts? I have a friend who would love these but is allergic to walnuts. Thoughts?
Thanks.
Martha, I think pecans would be delightful!
Thanks for the prompt reply. My British friend we be delighted!
You bet, Martha!