Sweet Savory Puff Pastry Pinwheels

Apple and goat cheese puff pastry pinwheels deliver that perfect balance of sweet and savory in each flaky, golden bite. Crisp apples softened with warm cinnamon and brown sugar create a delightful contrast against tangy goat cheese, all wrapped in buttery layers of puff pastry. These elegant spirals transition effortlessly from casual gatherings to sophisticated soirées, making them the versatile appetizer every host should have in their repertoire.

I first created these pinwheels for a holiday gathering when I needed something special that wouldn't keep me tied to the kitchen. The combination of warm apple filling and tangy goat cheese was an immediate hit, with guests circling back for 'just one more' throughout the evening. My neighbor who typically avoids cheese-based appetizers asked for the recipe before leaving, which I consider the ultimate compliment.

Essential Ingredients

• Crisp apples: Provide sweet-tart foundation
• Fresh lemon juice: Prevents browning while adding brightness
• Brown sugar: Creates caramel notes throughout filling
• Pure vanilla extract: Enhances apple flavors beautifully
• Ground cinnamon: Adds warm aromatic spice
• Granulated sugar: Creates caramelized exterior
• Tangy goat cheese: Delivers creamy, savory richness
• All-butter puff pastry: Ensures flaky, golden layers
• Salted butter: Adds rich flavor and beautiful shine

Perfect Preparation

Apple Preparation:

Begin with crisp, firm apples diced into small, uniform pieces approximately quarter-inch in size. This consistent sizing ensures even cooking and proper distribution throughout the pinwheels. Toss immediately with lemon juice to prevent browning and add subtle brightness that balances the sweetness.

Flavor Development:

Combine diced apples with brown sugar and cinnamon in a medium frying pan over medium heat. Cook until apples soften slightly while maintaining their structure and the liquid reduces to a light syrup consistency. This precooking step ensures the filling won't release excess moisture during baking, which would make the pastry soggy.

Flavor Finishing:

Remove apple mixture from heat and stir in vanilla extract, which blooms in the residual warmth to release its full aromatic potential. Allow the mixture to cool completely before assembly. This cooling period is crucial as warm filling would melt the butter layers in the puff pastry, preventing proper rise.

Pastry Preparation:

Unfold thawed but still cold puff pastry onto a lightly floured surface. The pastry should be pliable but cool to the touch. Gentle rolling ensures even thickness without compressing the delicate layers that create the signature puff. The rectangular shape forms the perfect canvas for creating uniform pinwheels.

Building Flavor Layers:

Brush the pastry surface with melted butter to create additional richness and help ingredients adhere. Spread room temperature goat cheese in an even layer, using an offset spatula or the back of a spoon for smoothest application. If the cheese is difficult to spread, simply crumble it evenly across the surface for a more rustic presentation.

Spice Enhancement:

Combine remaining cinnamon with granulated sugar and sprinkle half the mixture over the goat cheese layer. This distribution ensures the warming spice permeates throughout the pinwheels while creating pockets of sweetness that contrast beautifully with the tangy cheese.

Apple Distribution:

Spread cooled apple mixture evenly across the prepared surface, leaving a half-inch border along one long edge. This clean edge will form the seal when the pastry is rolled, preventing filling from escaping during baking. Press filling gently into cheese layer to secure it in place.

Proper Rolling:

Starting from the long edge opposite your clean border, roll the pastry tightly into a log shape. Apply gentle, even pressure to maintain uniform thickness throughout. The tighter the roll, the more defined your spiral pattern will be in the finished pinwheels. Seal the edge by pressing firmly.

Final Flavoring:

Brush the exterior of the log with remaining melted butter and sprinkle with the rest of the cinnamon-sugar mixture. This creates a caramelized, crisp exterior with beautiful color and additional flavor dimension. The butter helps the sugar adhere while adding rich flavor and promoting browning.

Chilling Period:

Wrap the completed log in parchment paper and refrigerate for at least ten minutes. This brief chilling firms the butter in both the filling and pastry, making clean slicing possible without compressing the layers. The cold butter will also create maximum puff during baking as it releases steam.

Clean Slicing:

For perfect pinwheels, slide a length of dental floss under the chilled log, cross the ends over the top, and pull in opposite directions to create clean cuts without compressing the pastry. Alternatively, use a very sharp knife with a gentle sawing motion. Cut slices approximately half-inch thick for ideal baking.

Optimal Baking:

Arrange pinwheels cut-side up on parchment-lined baking sheet, allowing at least one inch between pieces for expansion. Bake in preheated oven until golden brown with visibly separated layers and bubbling filling. The cheese should be melted with slightly caramelized edges for maximum flavor.

Pin it

I particularly love serving these pinwheels slightly warm, when the cheese maintains its creamy texture against the crisp pastry. They make a stunning addition to brunch spreads, especially during apple season when the fruit's natural sweetness is at its peak. My mother-in-law, who is notoriously difficult to impress, requests these whenever she visits in fall, claiming they're 'restaurant quality with homemade charm.'

Perfect Presentation Ideas

Arrange these golden pinwheels on a wooden serving board with fresh apple slices and a small pot of honey for drizzling. For holiday gatherings, create a festive display by alternating pinwheels with cranberry and brie versions on a tiered stand. Serve as part of a cheese board with complementary elements like walnuts, thinly sliced pears, and a selection of preserves that guests can add according to their preference.

Creative Variations

Transform this recipe by substituting pears poached in white wine for a sophisticated twist, or use fig preserves mixed with finely chopped rosemary for complex flavor. Create a more substantial offering by adding prosciutto or thinly sliced ham between the cheese and apple layers. For sweeter applications, substitute mascarpone for goat cheese and add a sprinkle of chopped walnuts to the filling.

Pin it

Make-Ahead Solutions

Prepare the complete log up to eight hours ahead, keeping it tightly wrapped in parchment paper in the refrigerator. Slice and bake just before serving for freshest results. Alternatively, slice the prepared log and freeze individual pinwheels on a baking sheet before transferring to freezer bags for longer storage. Bake frozen pinwheels without thawing, adding approximately three minutes to the baking time.

Frequently Asked Questions

→ Can I make these pinwheels ahead of time?

Yes! These pinwheels are perfect for make-ahead preparation. You can prepare the entire roll up to 8 hours in advance and keep it refrigerated. When ready to bake, allow the roll to sit at room temperature for about 10 minutes before slicing and baking. This makes them ideal for entertaining when you want to minimize last-minute preparation.

→ What type of apples work best for this recipe?

Medium-firm apples with a good balance of sweetness and tartness work best. Fuji, Pink Lady, or Granny Smith are excellent choices as mentioned in the recipe. Honeycrisp also works well. Avoid very soft apples like McIntosh that might break down too much during cooking and release excess moisture.

→ Can I substitute the goat cheese with something else?

If you're not a fan of goat cheese, you can substitute with cream cheese for a milder flavor. Brie (with rind removed) would also work well with the apples. For a sharper flavor profile, try crumbled blue cheese, though you may want to reduce the amount as it has a stronger taste than goat cheese.

→ Why do I need to refrigerate the roll before slicing?

Refrigerating the assembled roll for at least 10 minutes firms up both the puff pastry and the filling, making it much easier to get clean slices without squishing the roll. The cold butter in the pastry also helps create those desirable flaky layers when baked. If your kitchen is particularly warm, don't skip this step!

→ How do I store leftover pinwheels?

Store any leftover baked pinwheels in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. To reheat, place them in a 350°F oven for about 5 minutes until warmed through. While they're best fresh from the oven, reheated pinwheels still maintain much of their flavor and some of their texture.