A Christmas table often shines through its details, and this elegant pinwheel Christmas tree is one of those dishes that instantly elevates the celebration. This dish is built from soft sandwich bread filled with a trio of classic combinations, smoked salmon with cream cheese, tuna with mayonnaise, and a creamy Olivier salad. Each slice contributes both structure and taste and creates a festive display.
You can serve this during holiday dinners, office gatherings, or family parties. It offers guests a light and flavorful beginning to the meal while adding a touch of seasonal charm to your spread. Enjoy it with lemon wedges, extra dill or chives, and a small bowl of extra mayonnaise for dipping.
What is a Christmas Tree Pinwheel Appetizer?
This appetizer is an adaptation of classic sandwich roulades assembled into a tree shape. Each roll is a flattened slice of sandwich bread layered with one of three fillings, then rolled tightly, chilled, sliced into rounds, and stacked in tiers to resemble a fir tree. Roulades and pinwheels are party staples because they’re easy to prepare, portable, and visually charming, and this festive stacking is a modern plating that makes them holiday-ready.
Pro Tips for the Best Christmas Tree Pinwheels
- Use thin-sliced sandwich bread and not an artisan loaf, so the rolls are smooth and even. Also, remove the crusts unless you like the rustic look.
- Press out air when you roll so pinwheels keep a tight shape. Cling film will help them set.
- Use drained tuna and squeeze out excess oil so rolls aren’t greasy. Mix tuna with a little mayonnaise, just enough to bind it.
- Vary the heights and overlap slightly when stacking to make the “tree” stable. You can put smaller rounds at the top and larger ones at the base.
- Add fresh herbs (dill, chives, or parsley) between tiers for color and flavor lift.
- For the cheese star, freeze a thin slice of firm cheese, cheddar or gouda, briefly to make cutting a clean star easier.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Olivier salad?
Olivier salad, often called Russian salad, is a mayonnaise-based mix of diced potatoes, carrots, peas, pickles, and sometimes ham or egg. It’s creamy and chunky, adding body and flavor contrast to the pinwheels.
Can I use other breads?
White sandwich bread is traditional and easiest, but you can use wholemeal or seeded sandwich slices. Keep them thin for a tidy roll.
Are these safe for kids / picky eaters?
Yes, they’re mild and familiar in texture. You can omit smoked salmon or replace it with ham or roasted vegetables for picky palates.
Can I Freeze the Pinwheels?
Freezing is not recommended as bread and mayonnaise/cream cheese fillings can become watery after thawing. If you must freeze, only freeze the uncut rolls wrapped tightly, but expect some texture change.
How to Store Christmas Tree Pinwheels
Place pinwheel slices in a single layer or with parchment between layers, refrigerate, and eat within 48 hours. Avoid long storage to prevent sogginess.
Ingredients
How to Make Christmas Tree Pinwheel Appetizers
Using a rolling pin, flatten a sandwich bread, but be careful not to tear it.
Using a rolling pin, flatten a sandwich bread, but be careful not to tear it.
Lay out the flattened slices, slightly overlapping, and alternate the filling, starting with mayonnaise and tuna, then spreadable cheese and salmon, and finally Russian salad.
Lay out the flattened slices, slightly overlapping, and alternate the filling, starting with mayonnaise and tuna, then spreadable cheese and salmon, and finally Russian salad.
Wrap each roll tightly in cling film (plastic wrap), twisting the ends or folding to secure so the rolls don’t unspool. Place wrapped rolls in the fridge for at least 2 hours and slice.
Starting from one short edge, roll the bread tightly into a compact cylinder.
Assemble on a plate to form a tree shape and use smaller slices for the top tiers. Cut a piece of cheese with a star shape and place it at the top of the tree.
Wrap each roll tightly in cling film (plastic wrap), twisting the ends or folding to secure so the rolls don’t unspool. Place wrapped rolls in the fridge for at least 2 hours and slice.
Assemble on a plate to form a tree shape and use smaller slices for the top tiers. Cut a piece of cheese with a star shape and place it at the top of the tree.
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