If you’re looking for a show-stopping appetizer that’s both stunning and delicious, the Cranberry Brie Crescent Wreath Recipe is your new best friend. This festive wreath combines creamy brie, tart cranberry sauce, and flaky crescent dough into a beautiful, shareable centerpiece that’s perfect for holiday gatherings – or anytime you want to impress guests without hours in the kitchen. Trust me, once you try this, it’ll be on repeat at every party!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Easy But Impressive: It looks fancy but is surprisingly simple to assemble and bake.
- Perfect Flavor Combo: The creamy brie and sweet-tart cranberry sauce create a match made in heaven.
- Great Make-Ahead Option: You can prep it ahead and bake right before serving.
- Versatile for Any Occasion: From holiday parties to casual get-togethers, it always impresses.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The ingredients for this Cranberry Brie Crescent Wreath Recipe are straightforward and come together to create layers of flavor and texture. When shopping, opt for a good-quality brie with a mild rind and a homemade-style cranberry sauce if you can—though store-bought works well too!
- Crescent dough: Premade crescent roll dough is your time-saver here, and it bakes up fluffy and golden beautifully.
- Brie cheese: I like cutting it into bite-sized chunks to spread goodness evenly.
- Cranberry sauce: Use your favorite cranberry sauce—homemade or store-bought—just watch the quantity for perfect sweetness.
- Pistachios: A handful of roughly chopped pistachios adds a lovely crunch and color contrast.
- Rosemary sprigs: Fresh rosemary brings an earthy aroma that pairs amazingly with cranberry and brie.
- Egg: For the egg wash—this helps the wreath get that irresistible golden shine.
- Fleur de sel: A pinch of this delicate salt enhances all the flavors without overpowering.
- Honey: A drizzle at the end adds a touch of natural sweetness that ties everything together.
Variations
I love that this Cranberry Brie Crescent Wreath Recipe is so adaptable—my family and friends have delighted in different twists depending on the season or what’s in the pantry. Don’t be afraid to make it your own!
- Swap the nuts: Sometimes I replace pistachios with toasted walnuts or pecans for a different crunch and flavor.
- Herb variations: Rosemary is classic, but thyme or sage can add a nice earthy touch if you prefer.
- Fruit toppings: Try adding thinly sliced apples or pears tucked beneath the brie for a subtle sweetness.
- Spicy kick: For a touch of heat, sprinkle a pinch of chili flakes over the cranberry sauce before folding.
How to Make Cranberry Brie Crescent Wreath Recipe
Step 1: Prep Your Oven and Dough
Start by preheating your oven to 200°C (390°F). While it’s warming, open your crescent dough cans and unroll the dough onto a clean surface. Carefully separate the dough triangles along the perforated edges without stretching or tearing them. Laying them flat is key to creating a neat wreath shape later.
Step 2: Prepare Your Filling Ingredients
Cut your brie into small chunks that’ll melt nicely but hold their shape. Roughly chop the pistachios and pull the rosemary leaves off the stems, chopping those roughly as well. Having everything ready to go speeds up assembly and keeps you organized.
Step 3: Shape the Crescent Dough Star
Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Place a small bowl or ramekin in the center as a guide. Now, arrange the dough triangles around the bowl, with the short edge facing the center. Overlap each triangle halfway over the last one as you go around the bowl to form a star shape. When you reach the last triangle, tuck it partially under the first to complete the circle.
Step 4: Secure the Star Base
Once you’re happy with the star arrangement, gently press the overlapping dough edges near the base flat so they stick together. This helps the wreath keep its shape while baking and prevents the filling from leaking.
Step 5: Add the Filling
Spoon your cranberry sauce into the center, spreading an even layer. Top with the brie pieces, then sprinkle with most of the chopped pistachios and rosemary (save some for garnish). Add a pinch of fleur de sel to enhance all those flavors. If filling slips toward the middle, no worries—just tidy it up before the next step.
Step 6: Fold and Seal the Outer Edge
Remove the bowl from the center carefully. Fold the pointy end of each triangle toward the middle and tuck it underneath the base of the adjacent triangle to create a wreath shape. This step might feel a bit fiddly at first, but take your time—if any gaps look too wide, gently press the dough edges together to tidy it up.
Step 7: Brush, Garnish, and Bake
Brush the top of your wreath with beaten egg for a gorgeous golden color. Sprinkle the remaining rosemary and a light pinch of fleur de sel on top. Pop the wreath in your preheated oven and bake for about 15 minutes, or until it’s puffed up and a beautiful golden brown.
Step 8: Finish with Honey and Nuts
Once out of the oven, carefully transfer the wreath to a serving platter. Drizzle just a tiny bit of honey over the top—this touch of sweetness is magic against the tangy cranberry and rich brie. Sprinkle on the remaining pistachios and, if you’d like, garnish with fresh rosemary sprigs or sugared cranberries for that extra festive flair.
Pro Tips for Making Cranberry Brie Crescent Wreath Recipe
- Don’t Overstretch the Dough: Stretching can make it thin and prone to tearing—be gentle when separating triangles.
- Use a Clean Bowl for Shaping: The bowl helps you get a perfect circle and star shape, so find something not too big or too small.
- Chill Brie Before Cutting: Chilled brie cuts cleaner and prevents the cheese from becoming too messy when assembling.
- Watch Baking Time Closely: Crescent dough browns quickly—start checking around 12 minutes to avoid burning.
How to Serve Cranberry Brie Crescent Wreath Recipe
Garnishes
I usually top the wreath with a drizzle of honey and sprinkle of pistachios just before serving because it adds shine, sweetness, and crunch. Sometimes I add fresh rosemary sprigs for a fragrant touch, or even a handful of sugared cranberries if it’s the holiday season — they look like little jewels nestled in the wreath.
Side Dishes
This wreath pairs perfectly with simple green salads, roasted vegetables, or a charcuterie board loaded with cured meats and dried fruits. I often serve it alongside some crusty bread or crackers to scoop up the melty goodness.
Creative Ways to Present
For a festive party, I like to place the wreath on a wooden board surrounded by sprigs of fresh herbs and little bowls of extra cranberry sauce for dipping. You could also place small cheese knives or spreaders nearby for guests to serve themselves — it turns appetizer time into a fun, interactive experience!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Leftovers keep surprisingly well—just cover the wreath tightly with plastic wrap or foil and store it in the fridge for up to 2 days. I like to slice into smaller portions so it’s easy to reheat a bit at a time.
Freezing
I’ve frozen unbaked wreaths before by wrapping them carefully in plastic and foil—just thaw overnight in the fridge and bake as usual. It’s a great way to prep for future gatherings when you’re short on time!
Reheating
To warm up leftovers, I pop them in a preheated 175°C (350°F) oven for about 10 minutes until the dough re-crisps and the cheese is gooey again. Avoid microwaving if possible, as it can make the pastry soggy.
FAQs
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Can I use homemade crescent dough instead of store-bought?
Absolutely! Homemade crescent or puff pastry dough works beautifully if you have the time and enjoy making dough from scratch. Just roll it out and cut into triangles as with the store-bought version.
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Is it necessary to use fresh rosemary?
Fresh rosemary is preferable because it gives a bright, fragrant herbiness that dried herbs can’t quite match. However, if you only have dried rosemary, use it sparingly as it’s more potent and can be slightly bitter when baked.
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Can I make this recipe vegan or dairy-free?
You can substitute the brie with a vegan cheese alternative that melts well, and use a vegan crescent dough if available. Just swap the egg wash for a plant-based milk or oil brush to achieve color.
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How far ahead can I assemble the wreath before baking?
You can assemble the wreath a few hours before baking and keep it covered in the fridge. Just bring it to room temperature and apply the egg wash immediately before baking for best results.
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What’s the best way to serve this appetizer?
Serve it warm with extra cranberry sauce or honey on the side, alongside crackers or bread. It’s perfect for sharing—just pull apart the wedges and enjoy the combination of sweet, salty, and creamy flavors.
Final Thoughts
I absolutely love how this Cranberry Brie Crescent Wreath Recipe always steals the spotlight at any gathering. It’s one of those recipes that looks like you spent hours, but really comes together in just minutes. The blend of textures and flavors is something my family goes crazy for, and I’m sure yours will too! If you want a fuss-free yet festive dish that feels special, this wreath is an absolute winner. Give it a try—you’ll thank me later!
Print
Cranberry Brie Crescent Wreath Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 12 small portions or 6 large portions
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
This Cranberry Brie Crescent Wreath is a festive and visually stunning appetizer perfect for holiday gatherings. Featuring flaky crescent roll dough wrapped around a creamy brie and tart cranberry sauce filling, topped with crunchy pistachios, fresh rosemary, and a light honey drizzle, this wreath combines sweet, savory, and nutty flavors beautifully. It’s an easy-to-make, crowd-pleasing centerpiece that bakes to a golden perfection.
Ingredients
Dough
- 2 tubes of premade crescent dough (12 dough triangles)
Filling
- 200 grams brie
- 100-125 grams (3½-½ cup) cranberry sauce
- 30 grams pistachios (handful), roughly chopped
- 2 rosemary sprigs, roughly chopped
Other
- 1 egg (for egg wash)
- Pinch of fleur de sel or salt flakes
- Honey, for drizzling
Instructions
- Preheat oven: Set your oven to 200 degrees Celsius (390 °F) to ensure it’s hot and ready when you finish assembling the wreath.
- Prepare dough: Open the crescent dough tubes and carefully separate the dough triangles along the perforations without stretching them. Set all 12 triangles aside.
- Prepare filling: Cut the brie into small chunks. Roughly chop the pistachios and rosemary sprigs, removing the leaves from their stems for easier chopping.
- Arrange dough: Place a small round bowl or ramekin in the center of a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Arrange the dough triangles around the bowl with the short ends pointing inward, overlapping each triangle about halfway to form a star or wreath shape. Tuck the last triangle partly underneath the first so they all overlap evenly.
- Secure dough overlaps: Gently press the overlapping dough edges near the base to flatten and adhere them together, creating a stable base for the filling.
- Add cranberry sauce: Spoon the cranberry sauce into the circle formed inside the dough wreath, spreading evenly but keeping it contained.
- Add brie: Distribute the chunks of brie evenly on top of the cranberry sauce layer.
- Sprinkle pistachios: Scatter most of the chopped pistachios over the brie and cranberry filling, reserving some for decoration.
- Sprinkle rosemary: Add most of the chopped rosemary over the filling, keeping a small amount aside for topping the baked wreath.
- Season: Lightly sprinkle a pinch of fleur de sel or salt flakes on top to enhance flavors.
- Remove bowl: Carefully lift and remove the bowl from the center. If any filling spills into the middle, push it back inside the dough ring gently.
- Fold dough tips: Fold the pointed tips of each dough triangle toward the center, tucking each end underneath the adjacent triangle to close the wreath. Adjust to close any gaps and tidy the shape.
- Apply egg wash: Using a pastry brush, brush the top of the dough with beaten egg wash to achieve a golden-brown finish during baking.
- Add final toppings: Sprinkle the remaining rosemary and a pinch of fleur de sel over the wreath for flavor and appearance.
- Bake: Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake for about 15 minutes until the dough is puffed up and golden brown.
- Transfer and finish: Carefully transfer the baked wreath to a serving platter or wooden board.
- Drizzle honey: Lightly drizzle honey over the top of the warm wreath for a touch of sweetness.
- Garnish: Sprinkle on the reserved pistachios and optionally garnish with extra rosemary sprigs and fresh or sugared cranberries for an attractive festive presentation.
Notes
- You can use fresh or store-bought cranberry sauce depending on preference; homemade will add extra freshness.
- The wreath can be assembled ahead and refrigerated before baking, just add egg wash and toppings right before baking.
- If you prefer a stronger rosemary flavor, add more fresh rosemary or infuse it into the honey drizzle.
- Ensure the crescent dough remains chilled until ready to use for easier handling.
- This recipe serves 12 small appetizer portions or 6 larger servings, perfect for sharing.
- Leftovers can be reheated gently in the oven to maintain crispness.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 small portion (approximately 1/12 of the wreath)
- Calories: 210 kcal
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 280 mg
- Fat: 13 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 18 g
- Fiber: 1.5 g
- Protein: 6 g
- Cholesterol: 30 mg
