This festive cranberry brie crescent wreath only takes 30 minutes to make and that includes 15 minutes of baking time! Sweet cranberry sauce, creamy brie and flaky crescent rolls come together to create this delicious holiday appetizer. Add a touch of green with pistachios and rosemary to get that classic red and green Christmas look! This edible wreath will look perfect on your holiday table. Serve it for brunch or as an appetizer, your guests will gobble up this wreath in no time!
What you need to make this crescent wreath
The holiday season is always a very busy and hectic time. While I love spending time in the kitchen to cook up a feast, sometimes I just need a quick and easy recipe to get the job done. This recipe is a great one to make when you’re in a pinch, but still want to make an impression. You can buy everything you need for this recipe in the supermarket and all you have to do is assemble it and bake it in the oven.
Here’s what you need for this edible holiday wreath:
- Crescent dough: Ready-to-use crescent rolls are the secret to this fast recipe. You can absolutely use homemade dough for an extra delicious end result, but during the busy holiday season this shortcut is one that will save you loads of time and effort.
- Cranberry sauce: Cranberry sauce is both sweet and tart. It adds a delicious balance with the creamy brie cheese. The gorgeous red colour of this chunky sauce makes it perfect for the holiday season. You can also use homemade cranberry sauce for bonus points.
- Brie: Brie is a soft and creamy cow’s milk cheese that will become gooey and delicious in the oven.
- Pistachios: Pistachios add a crunchy texture to this appetizer. These green nuts also work really well with the festive Christmas theme.
- Rosemary: Rosemary, cranberry and brie are a golden combination. Rosemary is such a delicious and fragrant herb, adding a sprig or two to this dish will really elevate its flavour. It also adds a festive green touch.
- Egg: An egg wash on top of the pastry will give you that gorgeous golden crust. It also helps the salt and rosemary stick to the wreath's top.
- Fleur de sel: A sprinkle of salt helps balance the sweet flavours of the cranberry sauce and honey. I like using fleur de sel because it gives a more textured finish and the little specks of salt will taste delicious. You can also use salt flakes instead.
- Honey: A drizzle of honey on top of the wreath will make it look extra pretty, it also adds some stickiness for the pistachios to adhere to. You only need a tiny bit of honey otherwise the end result will come out too sweet.
How to make a perfect crescent wreath?
The secret to a stunning crescent wreath is making sure it is a perfect circle. A lopsided or wonky-shaped wreath just doesn’t get the same effect. Some tricks for a pretty presentation also help to make this festive crescent wreath perfect for your holiday table.
Step 1: Use a lined baking sheet and bowl.
Carefully roll out the crescent dough and cut out the triangles along the perforated edges, try not to stretch the dough. You want the triangles to be uniform in size. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper, this prevents the dough from sticking to the sheet and makes it easier to move the wreath later on. Place a small bowl upside down in the middle of the baking sheet. This bowl will help you make a perfect round circle.
Step 2: Place the crescent dough triangles around the bowl.
Use the bowl as a guideline for a perfect round circle. Place the triangles with the short edge towards the bowl. Each dough triangle should overlap the previously placed triangle. Go all the way around until you’ve used up all your dough. (You can tuck the final dough triangle underneath the first one to create a perfect overlapping circle of triangles all the way around the bowl.) Rearrange your triangles until you’re happy with how they’re arranged. Once you’re pleased with how it looks you can flatten the inner (overlapping) circle by pressing the triangles into each other. This way they stick together and create a flat surface area for your filling.
Step 3: Add the filling.
Start by adding a couple of spoonfuls of cranberry sauce around the inner part of the circle. Spread it out so it is divided evenly. Next, place the chunks of brie on top of the cranberry sauce. It doesn’t have to be very precise, just make sure that the brie chunks are evenly spread out all the way around the bowl. Finally, add a sprinkle of chopped pistachios, rosemary and a pinch of salt on top of the brie.
Step 4: Make a wreath.
Carefully remove the bowl from the middle of the baking sheet. If some of the filling falls into the middle just place it back. Now take one of the dough triangle tips and fold it over the filling towards the centre. With your other hand, carefully lift the wreath a bit so you can tuck the tip underneath the rest. Now move over to the next dough triangle and do the same. Go all the way around until you’ve folded over and tucked under all the dough triangles and you’re left with a filled wreath made of dough. Tidy it up a bit by pinching closed any big gaps in the dough.
Step 5: Egg wash and bake.
Break one egg in a small bowl, whisk the yolk and white together and use a pastry brush to brush the beaten egg on top of the dough wreath. Sprinkle on some more chopped rosemary and a pinch of fleur de sel. Now bake the wreath in a preheated oven at 200 ℃ (390 ℉) for about 15 minutes until golden.
Step 6: Garnish & Presentation
Carefully place the crescent wreath on a large serving platter or wooden board. Drizzle on a little bit of honey for another touch of sweetness. Sprinkle on some extra chopped pistachios, they will stick to the drizzled honey.
Optionally you can garnish your Christmas crescent wreath with a couple of sprigs of rosemary and fresh or sugared cranberries. This will make it look extra festive for the holiday season. This dish can be served both warm and cold.
Tips & Alternatives
- Use puff pastry instead of crescent dough for a flakier and less ‘bready’ result.
- Use a small bowl as a guide to create a perfectly circular wreath.
- Use homemade cranberry sauce or try something like fig jam or sweet onion chutney for a different flavour profile.
- Switch the brie cheese for camembert.
- Instead of pistachios, you could go for a different type of nut like pecans.
- This dish is delicious warm straight out of the oven when the brie is still gooey, but can absolutely also be served at room temperature or even cold.
- Keep leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge and reheat in the oven (or enjoy cold!).
Are you looking for more festive recipes?
- This Classic Mulled Wine with citrus fruits and whole spices tastes like Christmas in a mug!
- Serve this Non-Alcoholic Mulled Wine at your next party so everybody can join in the festive fun!
- Make these Sugared Cranberries to add a little sparkle to your cocktails, desserts and cakes during the holiday season!
- A Christmas Moscow Mule is the perfect festive drink to serve at your Christmas party.
- Serve these Truffle Deviled Eggs at your holiday brunch! These delicious appetizers can be made ahead of time and a touch of truffle gives them an elegant twist.
- Wow your guest with an overflowing cheeseboard! The variety of cheese, meats and fruits give everyone something to nibble on.
Here are some more delicious brunch ideas:
- Apple Rose Puff Pastries are the prettiest individual apple pies you'll ever see. They look like elegant roses and are perfect for a special occasion.
- If you’re looking for a rich and decadent brunch recipe then try this Croque Madame, this grilled cheese sandwich is overflowing with gooey cheesy Mornay sauce and topped with a fried egg!
- Try these one-bowl Vegan Banana Cranberry Muffins, they are easy to make and healthy enough to have for breakfast!
- Start your day off right with this healthy and delicious Apple Pie Oatmeal with maple syrup and baked apples.
