Ingredients
Detailed Breakdown of Ingredients
- Cream Cheese (16 oz total): Softened cream cheese provides the creamy base for the filling, allowing all the other flavors to meld together.
- Cheddar Cheese (1 cup): Sharp shredded cheddar gives a bold cheesy flavor that complements the bacon and ranch seasoning.
- Cooked Bacon (3/4 cup, about 5-6 slices): Crisp, chopped bacon adds smoky and savory richness.
- Hidden Valley Ranch Mix (1/2 package): This seasoning is the star of the recipe, infusing the pinwheels with that tangy, herby ranch flavor everyone loves.
- Fresh Dill (1/2 teaspoon, chopped): A hint of fresh dill adds a bright, herbal note.
- Fresh Flat-Leaf Parsley (1/2 teaspoon, chopped): The parsley adds freshness and a slight earthy taste to balance the richness.
- Flour Tortillas (5 tortillas, 10-inch): These are the perfect wrap for the pinwheel filling, holding everything together while staying soft.
Instructions
Preparing the Cream Cheese Filling
- In a large mixing bowl, add the softened cream cheese, shredded cheddar cheese, chopped bacon, Hidden Valley Ranch Mix, fresh dill, and parsley.
- Using an electric mixer, set on low speed, blend the ingredients until everything is well-combined and smooth. Make sure to scrape down the sides of the bowl to ensure even mixing.
- Once blended, taste the mixture and season with pepper to taste. Feel free to adjust the seasoning if needed.
Rolling and Chilling the Pinwheels
- Lay out the tortillas flat and divide the cream cheese mixture evenly among them.
- Use a spatula to spread the mixture all the way to the edges of each tortilla.
- Starting at one end, tightly roll each tortilla up, ensuring the filling is enclosed.
- Place the rolled tortillas on a plate, wrap them in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 1-2 hours. This chilling time allows the filling to firm up, making it easier to slice into clean pinwheels.
- Once chilled, remove the wraps from the fridge. Cut off the ends (these can be snacks!) and slice the tortillas into 1-inch pinwheels.
- For extra flair, garnish the pinwheels with freshly chopped herbs before serving.
Notes
Serving and Presentation Ideas
Once your pinwheels are sliced and ready to serve, it’s time to think about presentation.
How to Present Your Pinwheels Beautifully
Arrange the pinwheels in a circular pattern on a large serving platter. For extra visual appeal, alternate the direction of the spirals in each row.
Garnishing for Extra Flavor and Appeal
Sprinkle freshly chopped herbs like parsley or dill over the pinwheels for added color and flavor. A few cherry tomatoes or cucumber slices on the side can also add a pop of color.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 2 hours
- Category: Appetizers