These Fig and Goat Cheese Pinwheels are a unique and delicious holiday treat! They combine creamy goat cheese, perfectly sweet fig preserves, and fresh thyme, all wrapped in flaky puff pastry. These pinwheels are easy to make and are perfect for impressing guests, whether served as an appetizer or dessert.

Full Recipe:

Ingredients:

For the Pinwheels:

• 1 thawed sheet puff pastry (13.2 oz, I use Jus-Rol brand)

• 1/2 cup fig preserves

• 4 oz log goat cheese, crumbled

• 4-5 sprigs fresh thyme

• 2 tbsp light brown sugar

• 1 large egg (for egg wash)

Directions:

1. Prepare the Puff Pastry:
   Unroll the thawed puff pastry onto parchment paper. Spread the fig preserves evenly on top, leaving about 1 inch on the edges.

2. Add the Filling:
   Crumble the goat cheese evenly over the fig preserves. Sprinkle with light brown sugar and fresh thyme.

3. Roll the Pastry:
   Gently roll up the puff pastry into a log, ensuring that it’s tightly rolled and no filling spills out. For convenience, you can wrap the rolled pastry in parchment paper.

4. Chill the Roll:
   Place the roll in the freezer for 20 minutes to chill. Meanwhile, preheat your oven to 400°F.

5. Slice and Bake:
   Once chilled, remove the roll and unroll it onto parchment paper. Slice the roll into ½ inch pinwheels using a sharp knife (wipe the knife after each slice for cleaner cuts). Arrange the slices on a baking sheet.

6. Egg Wash:
   Beat the egg and lightly brush the tops of each pastry to create a golden brown finish when baked.

7. Bake the Pinwheels:
   Bake the pinwheels in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes, or until golden brown and flaky.

8. Serve:
   Garnish with additional brown sugar and fresh thyme. Serve immediately while warm for the best flavor.

These pinwheels are a sweet and savory treat that’s perfect for holiday gatherings or as a special snack. Enjoy with your favorite drink!

Estimated Nutritional Value (per pinwheel):

• Calories: 120–150 kcal

• Protein: 3–4g

• Fat: 8–10g

  • Saturated Fat: 4–5g

• Carbohydrates: 12–14g

  • Sugars: 7–9g

• Cholesterol: 25–30mg

• Sodium: 80–120mg

• Potassium: 50–80mg

• Vitamin A: 50–75 IU

• Vitamin C: 1–2mg

• Calcium: 20–30mg

• Iron: 0.5–1mg

This estimate is based on using store-bought puff pastry, goat cheese, and fig preserves. The actual nutritional values may vary depending on the specific brands and portion sizes used.

Why Fig and Goat Cheese Work So Well Together

The combination of figs and goat cheese is a classic pairing that blends the earthy tang of the cheese with the natural sweetness of figs. Figs have a rich, honeyed flavor with a slight tartness, making them the perfect counterbalance to the creamy and slightly sharp goat cheese. The contrast in texture—soft cheese and sticky, jam-like fig preserves—also adds a satisfying complexity to each bite.

Additionally, goat cheese’s smooth and creamy texture allows it to melt beautifully within the puff pastry, providing a luscious and flavorful filling. The fig preserves, spread evenly over the pastry, add a burst of sweetness that soaks into the puff pastry, enhancing the layers as they bake.

Flaky Puff Pastry: The Perfect Base

The key to the success of these pinwheels lies in the puff pastry, which provides a light, crispy, and buttery crunch when baked. The layers of puff pastry puff up beautifully in the oven, creating a golden, flaky exterior that contrasts wonderfully with the creamy, savory-sweet filling inside. Puff pastry is versatile, and its lightness ensures that the flavors of the filling shine without being overshadowed.

Using store-bought puff pastry makes this recipe incredibly easy and convenient, but if you prefer, you can make your own puff pastry at home. However, the store-bought variety works perfectly here and saves you a lot of time, allowing you to focus on the delightful filling and assembly of the pinwheels.

The Egg Wash: Achieving a Golden, Glorious Finish

A simple egg wash elevates the pinwheels’ appearance, giving them a golden brown and glossy finish once baked. Brushing the tops of the pinwheels with a beaten egg ensures that they turn out perfectly crisp and golden, with a delightful sheen that makes them even more visually appealing. This small step makes a big difference in the final look of the pinwheels, giving them a professional, bakery-worthy finish that’s sure to impress guests.

Rolling the Pinwheels: A Simple Yet Effective Technique

Rolling the puff pastry into a log creates the pinwheel shape, which is both visually stunning and easy to slice. The tightly rolled pastry ensures that the filling is evenly distributed throughout the pinwheels, allowing for a balanced bite with every piece. The chilling step before slicing is essential—it firms up the pastry and filling, making it much easier to cut cleanly into perfect pinwheels.

When slicing, it’s important to use a sharp knife and wipe it clean after each cut to maintain the shape of the pinwheels and ensure they remain neat. The ½-inch slices are ideal, providing bite-sized portions that are perfect for serving at gatherings.

Baking the Pinwheels: The Transformation

As the pinwheels bake, the puff pastry puffs up beautifully, forming a crispy, flaky exterior. The filling inside—the goat cheese, fig preserves, and thyme—melds together, creating a rich, savory-sweet flavor profile that is absolutely mouthwatering. The fig preserves caramelize slightly, adding a deeper sweetness, while the goat cheese becomes even creamier, adding richness and complexity to the pinwheels.

The baking time—around 15-20 minutes—is just enough to achieve that golden-brown crust while ensuring the inside is perfectly melted and flavorful. The result is a warm, satisfying bite that delivers both texture and flavor in every mouthful.

Serving and Enjoying Fig and Goat Cheese Pinwheels

These pinwheels are best served warm, right out of the oven, when the puff pastry is at its crispiest and the filling is oozing with deliciousness. They can be served as an appetizer, paired with a glass of wine, or as a light snack. They also make a great addition to any holiday spread, offering a sophisticated touch that’s sure to be a crowd-pleaser.

If you’re serving these pinwheels as a dessert, consider drizzling a bit of honey over the top or serving them with a side of fresh fruit for a refreshing contrast to the richness of the cheese. They also pair wonderfully with a light salad for a more balanced meal, with the sweetness of the figs and the tang of the goat cheese complementing the fresh greens.

Nutritional Benefits of Fig and Goat Cheese Pinwheels

While these pinwheels are undoubtedly indulgent, they also offer some nutritional benefits. Figs are rich in fiber and packed with antioxidants, which can help promote digestive health and provide a boost to your immune system. Goat cheese, while creamy and rich, contains less fat and fewer calories than many other cheeses, making it a slightly healthier option.

However, due to the puff pastry and sugar content, these pinwheels are best enjoyed in moderation. They make an excellent treat or snack when served alongside healthier options like fresh vegetables or a light salad.

Conclusion

Fig and Goat Cheese Pinwheels are a delightful blend of sweet and savory flavors, wrapped in a light and flaky puff pastry crust. They’re easy to prepare, and their elegant appearance makes them perfect for holiday gatherings, parties, or any special occasion. With a filling of creamy goat cheese, sweet fig preserves, and fresh thyme, these pinwheels are a unique and delicious treat that’s sure to become a favorite in your recipe collection. Whether served as an appetizer or dessert, these pinwheels are guaranteed to impress with their rich flavors and beautiful presentation.