Name: These Cheesecake Party Pinwheels Are the First Thing to Disappear at Every Get-Together
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 25 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 can refrigerated crescent roll dough; 4 oz cream cheese, softened; 2 tbsp granulated sugar; ½ tsp vanilla extract; ¼ cup fruit jam or preserves (strawberry, raspberry, or blueberry); 1 egg (for egg wash); Optional: powdered sugar glaze (¼ cup powdered sugar + 1–2 tsp milk)

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So I brought these little cheesecake pinwheels to a friend’s birthday bash last weekend, and let me just say—they barely made it to the table. Everyone kept asking, “Did you make these? What’s in them?” They’re that perfect mix of creamy cheesecake filling, buttery crescent dough, and a swirl of jam that just melts in your mouth. If you need a quick, crowd-pleasing dessert that looks cute but is secretly so easy to throw together, this is the one.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

These pinwheels are the best kind of low-effort, high-reward treat. They look fun and festive, especially with a little glaze drizzled over the top, but they come together with just a few ingredients and no fuss. The creamy filling tastes like classic cheesecake, and the sweet jam adds a burst of fruitiness in every bite. Plus, they bake up quickly and are super easy to transport.

Ingredients

Here’s a peek at what you’ll need (you can find the full ingredient list with exact measurements down below in the recipe card):

Refrigerated crescent roll dough
Cream cheese
Granulated sugar
Vanilla extract
Your favorite fruit jam or preserves (strawberry, raspberry, or blueberry work great)
Egg wash (for that golden color)
Optional: powdered sugar glaze for drizzling

Directions

Step 1: Preheat the Oven and Prep the Dough

Start by preheating your oven to 375°F. Roll out the crescent dough on a lightly floured surface and press the seams together to form a solid sheet.

Step 2: Make the Cheesecake Filling

In a small bowl, mix the softened cream cheese with sugar and vanilla extract until smooth and creamy. This is your dreamy cheesecake layer that makes these pinwheels so rich.

Step 3: Spread and Swirl

Spread the cream cheese mixture over the dough, leaving a small border around the edges. Then spoon on dollops of jam and gently swirl it with a knife or the back of a spoon—don’t overmix, just enough to marble it throughout.

Step 4: Roll and Slice

Carefully roll the dough into a log, starting from the long side. Use a serrated knife or a piece of dental floss to slice into even pinwheels, about 1 inch thick.

Step 5: Bake Until Golden

Place the pinwheels on a parchment-lined baking sheet, brush with egg wash, and bake for 12–15 minutes or until they’re puffed and golden brown.

Step 6: Cool and Glaze

Let the pinwheels cool slightly on a wire rack, then drizzle with a simple glaze made from powdered sugar and milk, if you’d like. That little bit of sweetness on top makes them extra special.

Expert Tips and Tricks

Use full-fat cream cheese for the creamiest texture—it really makes a difference.
Let your cream cheese soften at room temp for easier mixing.
If your jam is thick, you can warm it for a few seconds in the microwave to help it spread and swirl more easily.
Chill the dough log for 10–15 minutes before slicing if it’s getting too soft—it’ll help you get cleaner cuts.

Recipe Variations and Possible Substitutions

Try swapping the jam for lemon curd, Nutella, or even a cinnamon sugar swirl if you’re feeling cozy
Add a pinch of lemon zest to the cream cheese mixture for a little brightness
Use puff pastry instead of crescent dough if you want something a bit flakier and fancier

Serving and Pairing Suggestions

These pinwheels are lovely served warm or at room temperature. They pair beautifully with coffee or tea, and they make a great addition to brunch spreads, dessert boards, or potlucks. If you’re hosting a party, you can even stack them up on a cake stand with a little dusting of powdered sugar—they look so cute and inviting.

Storage and Reheating Tips

Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days
To reheat, pop them in the toaster oven or microwave for a few seconds until just warmed through
If you’re making them ahead, hold off on the glaze until just before serving so it doesn’t get sticky

4 FAQs

Can I use homemade jam?
Yes! Just make sure it’s not too runny so it doesn’t make the dough soggy.

Do these need to be refrigerated?
Yes, because of the cream cheese filling, store them in the fridge if you’re not eating them right away.

Can I freeze them?
You can freeze the unbaked pinwheels and bake them straight from the freezer—just add a couple of extra minutes to the bake time.

Can I make them gluten-free?
If you have access to gluten-free crescent dough, it should work just fine. Always double-check ingredient labels to be sure.

Conclusion

If you’re looking for a fun little dessert that’s as easy as it is delightful, these Cheesecake Party Pinwheels are it. They’ve got that bakery-case charm with none of the hassle, and once you try them, you’ll want to bring them to every potluck and brunch on your calendar. Seriously—don’t expect leftovers.

These Cheesecake Party Pinwheels Are the First Thing to Disappear at Every Get-Together

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These Cheesecake Party Pinwheels are everything you love about creamy cheesecake and fruity jam, all wrapped up in buttery crescent dough. They’re festive, fun, and dangerously easy to make—perfect for brunches, parties, or whenever you need a sweet treat in a flash.

Author: Touria Elkoudssi
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 25 minutes
Yield: 12–14 pinwheels 1x
Category: Dessert
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American
Diet: Vegetarian

Ingredients

Scale

1 can refrigerated crescent roll dough
4 oz cream cheese, softened
2 tbsp granulated sugar
½ tsp vanilla extract
¼ cup fruit jam or preserves (strawberry, raspberry, or blueberry)
1 egg (for egg wash)
Optional: powdered sugar glaze (¼ cup powdered sugar + 1–2 tsp milk)

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Instructions

Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Roll out crescent dough on a lightly floured surface. Press seams to form a single sheet.
In a bowl, mix softened cream cheese, sugar, and vanilla until smooth.
Spread cream cheese mixture over dough, leaving a border.
Drop spoonfuls of jam over the cream cheese and gently swirl with a knife.
Roll dough tightly from the long edge into a log. Chill for 10–15 minutes if soft.
Slice into 1-inch pinwheels and place on baking sheet. Brush tops with egg wash.
Bake for 12–15 minutes or until golden brown and puffed.
Cool slightly and drizzle with optional powdered sugar glaze.