Brie Cheese and Cranberry Christmas Wreath Recipe
This Brie Cheese and Cranberry Christmas Wreath is a festive and impressive appetizer perfect for holiday gatherings. Made with flaky puff pastry, creamy Brie cheese, tangy cranberry sauce, crunchy nuts, and fragrant rosemary, this savory-sweet wreath combines beautiful presentation with delightful flavors. The puff pastry is twisted into a sunburst wreath shape around a center bowl, filled with cheese and cranberry, then baked until golden and flaky. Garnished with fresh rosemary, cranberries, and a dusting of powdered sugar, it makes a stunning centerpiece for any holiday table.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 8-10 servings 1x
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
For the Wreath:
- 2 sheets puff pastry, thawed
- 8 oz Brie cheese, cut into small cubes
- 1/2 cup cranberry sauce (whole berry or jellied)
- 1/4 cup chopped pecans or walnuts
- 2 tablespoons fresh rosemary, chopped
- 1 egg, beaten (for egg wash)
- 1 tablespoon water
For Garnish:
- Fresh rosemary sprigs
- Fresh cranberries
- Powdered sugar (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and line a large baking sheet with parchment paper. Place a small oven-safe bowl about 4 inches in diameter in the center of the baking sheet to act as a guide for shaping the wreath.
- Cut Puff Pastry: Roll out the thawed puff pastry sheets slightly and cut each sheet into 8 triangular strips, making a total of 16 triangles.
- Arrange Pastry Strips: Arrange the triangles in a circle around the bowl on the baking sheet, overlapping the wide ends in the center and pointing the narrow ends outward, forming a sunburst pattern.
- Add Filling: Place small cubes of Brie cheese on the wide overlapping parts of each triangle. Spoon a small amount of cranberry sauce over the cheese, then sprinkle with chopped pecans and fresh rosemary.
- Shape the Wreath: Fold the pointed ends of each triangle over the filling and tuck them underneath the wide ends in the center, removing the bowl as you finish. This forms the wreath shape.
- Apply Egg Wash: Mix the beaten egg with one tablespoon of water and brush this egg wash over the entire wreath to help it turn golden when baked.
- Bake: Bake the wreath in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the puff pastry is golden brown and flaky.
- Cool and Garnish: Remove from the oven and let the wreath cool for 5 minutes. Transfer it to a serving platter and garnish with fresh rosemary sprigs, cranberries, and a light dusting of powdered sugar if desired.
- Serve: Serve the wreath warm, accompanied by extra cranberry sauce on the side for dipping.
Notes
- Use a good quality puff pastry for best flakiness.
- Brie rind is edible, but can be removed if preferred.
- Try different nuts like walnuts or pecans based on preference.
- Allow the wreath to cool slightly before moving to prevent breaking.
- Make sure to keep the pastry cold until baking to maintain crisp layers.
- This recipe can be made ahead and reheated gently before serving.
Keywords: Brie cheese wreath, cranberry sauce appetizer, holiday appetizer, puff pastry wreath, Christmas appetizer, festive cheese platter
