Mint Chocolate Pinwheels (5 days of desserts series: Day 4)

Welcome back to my "5 days of desserts" series! Day four is a festive twist on a timeless flavor pairing: Mint Chocolate Pinwheels. These elegant treats are perfect for holiday gatherings, simple enough for a last-minute dessert, and a showstopper for your dessert table.

These pinwheels bring together the crisp, buttery layers of puff pastry with the rich, indulgent taste of chocolate and a refreshing hint of mint. They're quick to make, require no chilling or complex techniques, and are as fun to look at as they are to eat. Whether you're hosting a holiday party or just craving a sweet treat, these pinwheels are sure to be a crowd-pleaser.

We all love baking during the holidays, but sometimes we are short on time, patience, and quite frankly ENERGY. That is why I wanted this recipe to be as easy as they come, while still keeping the festive flair. This recipe is easily adaptable for any occasion - Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year's celebrations, birthdays, and more! The puff pastry allows a quick prep, skipping the fuss but keeping the impressive results! If you aren't a mint person, feel free to skip the mint extract and add vanilla in its place. Strawberry and cherry also make a great complement to the chocolate.

Tips for this recipe:

• Keep it cool: Work quickly with puff pastry to ensure it stays cold, which helps it puff beautifully in the oven.

• Even slices: Use a sharp knife to slice the roll cleanly without squishing it.

• Add a drizzle: A mint glaze or melted chocolate drizzle is elevates these pinwheels to gourmet status. (Recipes for those are below)

How to store your pinwheels:

• Room temperature: Place the pinwheels in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days.

• Line the container: Use parchment paper between layers to prevent them from sticking together.

• Reheat: Before serving, pop them in a 350 degree F oven for 3-5 minutes to restore their crispiness

• Refrigerator: Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week. To reheat from refrigerated, warm in a 350 degree F oven for 5-7 minutes to refresh their texture before serving. Avoid microwaving as this can make the puff pastry soggy.

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Mint Chocolate Pinwheels Recipe

Yield: 8-10 pinwheels

Serving size: 1 pinwheel

Ingredients:

• 1 sheet puff pastry, thawed

• 2 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder

• 2 tbsp granulated sugar

• 1/2 tsp peppermint extract

• 2 tbsp melted butter

• *Optional: Crushed candy canes or powdered sugar for garnish

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

2. In a small bowl, mix together cocoa powder, sugar, and peppermint extract with melted butter until smooth.

3. Using a lightly floured surface, roll the puff pastry into a rectangle. Spread the cocoa mixture evenly over the surface.

4. Roll the pastry tightly from one long side to the other to create a log. Slice leg into 1 inch pieces and place them cut-side down on the baking sheet.

5. Bake for 12-15 minutes or until golden brown and puffed. Let cool slightly then sprinkle with powdered sugar or crushed candy canes for a festive touch.

If you'd like to an extra touch of sweetness, drizzle mint glaze or chocolate sauce over the pastries. (See bonus recipes below)

Mint Glaze

• In a small bowl, whisk together 1/2 cup powdered sugar, 1-2 tbsp milk, 1/4 tsp peppermint extract, and green food coloring (optional). Use more or less milk depending on the consistency you are going for. Drizzle over pastries using the spoon/fork method or a piping bag.

Chocolate Sauce

• Melt 1/4 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips or chopped chocolate together with 1 tsp coconut oil in the microwave in 15 second increments, stirring after each, until smooth. Use a spoon or piping bag to drizzle the sauce over the pastries.

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Nutrition information and Weight Watchers points supplied here are approximate. I always recommend calculating your recipe in the appropriate app using the nutrition information for specific products and brands used for the most accurate macro/point breakdown.

Nutrition Information per serving:

Calories: 170

Fat: 12g

Carbs: 12g

Protein: 2g

Weight Watchers Points:

4 points per pinwheel