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The Viral Cranberry Brie Crescent Wreath Everyone’s Making (Easy Holiday Appetizer)

  • Writer: Rao
    Rao
  • Nov 9, 2025
  • 5 min read

Updated: Dec 23, 2025

If your holiday calendar is packed but you still want something wow-worthy on the table, this Cranberry Brie Crescent Wreath is your new best friend. 🧀✨ It looks like you spent hours in the kitchen, but it secretly comes together in about 20–25 minutes with simple supermarket ingredients.

This cozy appetizer is perfect for busy moms who want something festive, kid-friendly, and impressive without juggling a dozen complicated steps. Whether you’re hosting Christmas Eve, a casual holiday movie night, or bringing a dish to a potluck, this wreath is the kind of recipe that disappears fast and always gets asked for.

With buttery crescent rolls, melty brie, and sweet-tart cranberry sauce, it tastes like a warm hug on a cold December night. ❄️


Why You’ll Love This Recipe 💕

  • Minimal ingredients, maximum impact – Crescent dough, brie, and cranberry sauce do most of the heavy lifting.

  • Looks stunning on the table – That wreath shape makes it feel extra special and “Pinterest-worthy” with almost no effort. 🎄

  • Perfect for sharing – Guests can pull off a piece and dip as they chat; no knives or complicated serving needed.

  • Make-ahead friendly – You can assemble the wreath ahead and bake it right before guests arrive.

  • Kid and adult approved – Gooey cheese + flaky pastry + sweet cranberry = instant crowd-pleaser. 🧒🧑‍🧑‍🧒


Ingredients for Cranberry Brie Crescent Wreath 📝

Main Ingredients

  • 2 cans refrigerated crescent roll dough (8-count each)

  • 1 small wheel of brie (about 200–250 g / 8 oz), cut into small cubes

  • 1 cup whole berry cranberry sauce (homemade or store-bought)

  • 1 egg, beaten (for egg wash – optional but pretty)

  • 1 tablespoon milk or water (to mix with the egg)

Optional Toppings & Garnishes

  • 1–2 tablespoons chopped fresh rosemary or thyme 🌿

  • 2–3 tablespoons chopped pecans or walnuts (for crunch)

  • Extra cranberry sauce for serving

  • Fresh rosemary sprigs and a few fresh cranberries to decorate the center of the wreath

Overhead view of crescent dough, brie cubes, cranberry sauce, nuts, and herbs arranged on a wooden board for a cranberry brie crescent wreath.
Overhead view of crescent dough, brie cubes, cranberry sauce, nuts, and herbs arranged on a wooden board for a cranberry brie crescent wreath.

How to Make the Viral Cranberry Brie Crescent Wreath

1. Prep Your Pan & Oven

  1. Preheat your oven to 190°C / 375°F.

  2. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper. This makes clean-up easier and helps the wreath bake evenly.

2. Arrange the Crescent Dough

  1. Open the cans of crescent roll dough and separate the triangles.

  2. On your prepared baking sheet, arrange the triangles in a circle, with the wide ends slightly overlapping in the center and the points facing out, like a little sunburst.

  3. Gently press where the dough overlaps so you have a solid ring in the middle. This will hold your filling.

3. Add the Brie & Cranberry Filling

  1. Sprinkle the brie cubes in a ring over the wide ends of the crescent dough, staying close to the center.

  2. Spoon cranberry sauce over the brie, spreading it gently so it’s fairly even.

  3. If you’re using chopped nuts or herbs, sprinkle them over the brie and cranberry now.

4. Fold and Seal the Wreath

  1. Carefully lift the pointed ends of the crescent dough and fold them over the filling towards the center.

  2. Tuck the tips underneath the dough ring in the middle to secure them. It’s okay if some filling peeks through; that’s part of the rustic charm.

  3. In a small bowl, whisk together the egg and milk. Brush the top of the wreath with this egg wash for a glossy, golden finish.

5. Bake Until Golden and Bubbly

  1. Bake the wreath for 18–22 minutes, or until the crescents are deep golden brown and the cheese is melted and bubbly inside.

  2. If the top is browning too quickly, you can tent loosely with foil for the last few minutes.

6. Garnish & Serve

  1. Let the wreath rest for 5–10 minutes so the cheese can settle slightly.

  2. Sprinkle with fresh chopped herbs and decorate the center of the wreath with a few rosemary sprigs and whole cranberries if you like.

  3. Transfer the Cranberry Brie Crescent Wreath to a serving board and serve warm with extra cranberry sauce on the side.


Tips & Variations 🌟

  • Use what you have – No whole berry cranberry sauce? Use jellied cranberry and chop it into small cubes, or swap in a spoonful of your favorite jam (fig, raspberry, or apricot are lovely).

  • Change the cheese – Brie is classic, but camembert, triple-cream cheeses, or even a creamy goat cheese can work.

  • Savory twist – Add a thin layer of caramelized onions or a sprinkle of cooked, crumbled bacon for a deeper, savory flavor.

  • Make it ahead – Assemble the wreath on a baking sheet, cover lightly with plastic wrap, and keep in the fridge for up to 4 hours. Brush with egg wash and bake just before serving.

  • Reheating – Warm leftover pieces in a low oven (160°C / 325°F) for 8–10 minutes until the pastry re-crisps and the cheese softens again.


Serving Suggestions 🍽️

This Cranberry Brie Crescent Wreath is perfect as:

  • A holiday appetizer for Christmas Eve, Thanksgiving, or any cozy December get-together.

  • The star of a small cheese board, surrounded by grapes, apple slices, nuts, and extra crackers.

  • A cozy movie-night snack with sparkling cranberry mocktails or chai lattes.

  • A simple centerpiece for a holiday brunch, served alongside eggs, fruit, and coffee.

Place it in the middle of the table on a wooden board and let everyone pull off a buttery piece – it’s interactive and so fun.


Golden cranberry brie crescent wreath on a wooden board, garnished with herbs and cranberries, with one piece pulled away to show melty cheese.
Golden cranberry brie crescent wreath on a wooden board, garnished with herbs and cranberries, with one piece pulled away to show melty cheese.

FAQ: Cranberry Brie Crescent Wreath

1. Can I use homemade cranberry sauce?

Absolutely. In fact, homemade sauce can make your Cranberry Brie Crescent Wreath even more special. Just be sure it’s thick, not too runny, so it doesn’t leak out of the dough as it bakes.

2. Do I need to remove the rind from the brie?

You don’t have to. The rind softens as it bakes and helps the cheese hold its shape a bit. If you strongly prefer no rind, you can trim it off, but you might find the cheese gets a bit messier (still delicious!).

3. Can I make this recipe ahead of time?

You can assemble the wreath a few hours ahead and keep it covered in the fridge. Bake it right before serving so the crescents are flaky and the cheese is melty. Reheated leftovers are tasty but won’t be quite as crisp as fresh from the oven.

4. What if I don’t have crescent roll dough?

You can use puff pastry, cut into triangles, and arrange them in the same way. Keep an eye on the bake time – puff pastry may brown a little faster, so you might need to adjust by a few minutes.


A Cozy Final Thought ✨

This Cranberry Brie Crescent Wreath is one of those recipes that makes your table feel instantly festive, even if you’re cooking in leggings with toys scattered in the living room. It’s simple, cozy, and absolutely delicious, the kind of dish that sparks “Can I get the recipe?” texts after the party.

If you make this wreath, I’d love to hear how it goes! Leave a comment, save this recipe to Pinterest for later, or tag your cozy holiday spread so we can celebrate together. 💌

 
 
 

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