Bacon Brie Crescent Wreath: The Ultimate Holiday Appetizer Guide

Transform your holiday table with this stunning Bacon Brie Crescent Wreath—a show-stopping appetizer that combines crispy bacon, creamy melted brie, and sweet cranberry sauce wrapped in golden, flaky crescent dough. This elegant yet easy recipe takes just 30 minutes from start to finish and looks like it came from a gourmet bakery.

What is a Bacon Brie Crescent Wreath?

A Bacon Brie Crescent Wreath is a circular appetizer where crescent roll triangles are arranged in a sunburst pattern, filled with brie cheese, crispy bacon, and cranberry sauce, then folded into a beautiful wreath shape. When baked, the result is a golden, buttery ring of flaky pastry with gooey melted cheese and savory-sweet fillings that guests can pull apart and enjoy.

This recipe has become a holiday entertaining staple because it delivers maximum visual impact with minimal effort, making it perfect for Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year’s Eve, or any festive gathering.

Why This Appetizer is Perfect for Entertaining

Stunning Presentation: The wreath shape creates an elegant centerpiece that transforms a simple appetizer into a conversation starter. Your guests will be amazed when you tell them how easy it was to make.

Quick Assembly: With just 10 minutes of prep time and 20 minutes in the oven, this appetizer comes together faster than most side dishes.

Make-Ahead Friendly: Assemble the wreath several hours in advance, refrigerate, and bake just before guests arrive for hot, fresh appetizers with zero last-minute stress.

Crowd-Pleasing Flavors: The combination of salty bacon, creamy brie, sweet cranberry, and buttery pastry appeals to virtually everyone and balances savory and sweet perfectly.

Interactive Eating: Guests love the pull-apart nature of this wreath, making it a fun, shareable appetizer that encourages mingling.

Feeds a Crowd: One wreath easily serves 8-12 people as an appetizer, making it ideal for parties without requiring multiple batches.

Essential Ingredients

Core Components

• Crescent Roll Dough: 2 cans (8 oz each) of refrigerated crescent rolls or croissant dough for an even flakier texture
• Brie Cheese: One 8-12 oz wheel, sliced into cubes or wedges for easy melting
• Bacon: 8 slices cooked until crispy and crumbled (or use prosciutto for an upscale twist)
• Cranberry Sauce: 1/3 to 1/2 cup of whole berry or jellied cranberry sauce
• Egg Wash: 1-2 eggs whisked for a golden, glossy finish

Flavor Enhancers (Optional)

• Fresh Herbs: Chopped rosemary or thyme add an earthy, aromatic note
• Onion Confit: Caramelized onions with balsamic vinegar create sophisticated depth
• Spinach: Fresh baby spinach adds color and balances the richness
• Fig Jam: Swap cranberry for fig preserves for a more complex sweetness
• Honey Drizzle: A finishing touch of honey adds luxurious sweetness
• Flaky Sea Salt: Maldon or fleur de sel provides textural contrast and enhances flavors
• Poppy Seeds: Sprinkle on top before baking for visual appeal and nutty flavor

Step-by-Step Instructions

Preparation (10 minutes)

Step 1: Cook the Bacon Bake bacon at 400°F on a rack-lined baking sheet for 15-20 minutes until crispy, or pan-fry until golden. Pat dry with paper towels and let cool completely before crumbling. Completely cooled bacon prevents the dough from becoming soggy.

Step 2: Prepare the Brie Place the wheel of brie in the freezer for 20-30 minutes to firm it up, making it much easier to slice cleanly. Remove the rind if desired (this is personal preference), then cut into cubes or thin wedges. The frozen cheese also melts more slowly, giving the dough time to cook through.

Step 3: Make Optional Onion Confit If using, slice 1-2 onions into thin rings and cook in butter over medium heat for 10 minutes. Add balsamic vinegar and brown sugar, then cook for 5 more minutes until caramelized and jammy.

Assembly (10 minutes)

Step 1: Set Up Your Baking Sheet Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper. Place a small 4-5 inch bowl or ramekin in the center as a guide for creating the circular wreath shape.

Step 2: Arrange the Crescent Triangles Unroll both cans of crescent dough and separate into individual triangles along the perforations. Arrange triangles in a circle around the bowl with the wide ends overlapping in the center and pointed tips facing outward like sun rays. The wide bases should overlap slightly to create a solid foundation.

Step 3: Add the Fillings Spread cranberry sauce (or onion confit) on the wide portion of each triangle near the center. Top with brie pieces and crumbled bacon, distributing evenly around the ring. If using spinach or herbs, add them now.

Step 4: Fold and Seal Remove the center bowl. Take each pointed end and fold it up and over the filling, tucking it underneath the wide base at the center to seal. Continue around the entire ring until all triangles are folded. Gently shape into an even circle if needed.

Step 5: Apply Egg Wash Whisk 1-2 eggs in a small bowl and brush generously over the entire surface of the wreath. This creates the beautiful golden color. Sprinkle with fresh herbs, flaky sea salt, black pepper, or poppy seeds if desired.

Baking (20-25 minutes)

Bake in the preheated oven for 18-25 minutes, rotating the pan halfway through for even browning. The wreath is done when the crescent dough is deep golden brown and puffed. Don’t worry if some brie leaks out—this is normal and adds to the rustic appeal. Focus on whether the dough looks fully cooked rather than whether cheese is escaping.

Finishing and Serving (5 minutes)

Remove from the oven and let cool for 10-15 minutes. Use a spatula to carefully transfer to a serving platter. If desired, spoon any melted cheese and cranberry mixture from the pan back onto the wreath. Place a small bowl of extra cranberry sauce, onion confit, or honey in the center for dipping. Garnish with fresh herbs and serve warm.

Pro Tips for Perfect Results

Freeze the Brie: This is the single most important tip for success. Frozen brie takes longer to melt, giving the dough time to cook through and puff up before the cheese starts oozing out.

Keep Dough Cold: Work quickly with cold dough straight from the refrigerator. Warm dough becomes sticky and difficult to handle, and won’t create as many flaky layers.

Don’t Overfill: Less is more with the filling. Overstuffed triangles won’t seal properly and will leak excessively during baking. Aim for about 1-2 tablespoons of filling per triangle.

Seal Thoroughly: Press the dough firmly when tucking the points underneath to ensure a good seal. Any gaps or tears should be pinched closed or patched with excess dough.

Check for Gaps: Before baking, examine the wreath for any gaps between triangles. Use small pieces of excess dough to patch holes and prevent major leaks.

Turn Halfway Through: Rotate the baking sheet at the 15-minute mark to promote even browning, especially if your oven has hot spots.

Use Parchment Paper: This makes cleanup easy and prevents sticking, which is especially helpful if cheese leaks.

Let It Rest: Allow the wreath to cool for at least 10 minutes before serving. This lets the cheese set slightly and makes it easier to transfer and slice.

Creative Variations

Classic Holiday Version

Brie, bacon, whole berry cranberry sauce, fresh rosemary, and a drizzle of honey for traditional festive flavors.

French Bistro Style

Brie, prosciutto or Parma ham, caramelized onion confit with balsamic vinegar, and fresh thyme for an elegant twist.

Fig and Goat Cheese

Substitute goat cheese for brie and use fig jam instead of cranberry for a more sophisticated flavor profile.

Apple Pecan

Brie, bacon, thinly sliced apples, chopped pecans, and a drizzle of maple syrup for an autumn-inspired variation.

Spinach Artichoke

Brie, cooked bacon, chopped spinach, and artichoke hearts with a sprinkle of lemon pepper for a popular flavor combination.

Pear and Blue Cheese

Swap brie for creamy blue cheese, add thin pear slices, candied pecans, and drizzle with honey for an upscale appetizer.

Camembert Wreath

Use Camembert instead of brie for a slightly stronger, earthier cheese flavor that pairs beautifully with cranberry.

Serving Suggestions

As Party Appetizer: Place on a large wooden board or platter with the dipping sauce in the center. Surround with crackers, grapes, and apple slices.

With Crudités: Serve alongside carrot sticks, celery, bell pepper strips, and radishes for dipping into the melted cheese.

With Bread: Offer warm baguette slices, toasted sourdough, or crackers for scooping up any escaped cheese and cranberry mixture.

As Part of a Spread: Include this wreath as the centerpiece of a larger appetizer spread with other finger foods and dips.

For Brunch: Serve alongside scrambled eggs, fresh fruit, and mimosas for an elegant holiday brunch.

Wine Pairing: Serve with Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, or sparkling wine that complements both the brie and cranberry.

Storage and Reheating

Make-Ahead: Assemble the wreath completely, cover tightly with plastic wrap, and refrigerate for up to 4 hours before baking. Bake directly from the refrigerator, adding 2-3 minutes to the baking time.

Storing Leftovers: Allow the wreath to cool completely to room temperature, then store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 2-3 days.

Reheating Oven Method: Place on a baking sheet and reheat at 350°F for 10-12 minutes until the cheese melts and the pastry crisps up. This is the best method for maintaining the flaky texture.

Reheating Individual Pieces: Microwave individual portions for 20-30 seconds for a quick snack, though this will make the dough softer.

Freezing: While best enjoyed fresh, you can freeze the baked and cooled wreath for up to 1 month. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight and reheat in the oven.

Common Questions

Why is my brie leaking everywhere? Some leakage is normal and expected, especially with riper, creamier brie. To minimize this, freeze the brie slices for an hour before assembly, ensure there are no gaps in the dough, and don’t overfill the triangles.

Can I use puff pastry instead of crescent rolls? Yes! Puff pastry creates an even flakier, more elegant result. Cut the pastry into triangles similar to crescent rolls and proceed with the recipe as written.

Can I use croissant dough instead? Absolutely. Refrigerated croissant dough is actually ideal for this recipe and creates a richer, more buttery result than standard crescent rolls.

What other cheeses work well? Camembert, soft goat cheese, and other creamy cheeses all work beautifully. Just make sure they’re soft cheeses that melt well.

Can I make this vegetarian? Yes! Simply omit the bacon or substitute with vegetarian bacon alternatives, sautéed mushrooms, or roasted vegetables for umami flavor.

How do I know when it’s done? The crescent dough should look fully baked and golden brown rather than pale. Lift gently with a spatula to check that the bottom is also golden.

Can I make individual wreath portions? Yes! Create mini wreaths using 4-6 triangles each for individual servings, adjusting the baking time to 12-15 minutes.

What if I don’t have cranberry sauce? Fig jam, apricot preserves, or pepper jelly all work wonderfully. You can also make a quick onion confit or simply skip the sweet element entirely.

Why This Recipe Works

The Bacon Brie Crescent Wreath succeeds because it perfectly balances flavors, textures, and visual appeal. The buttery, flaky crescent dough provides the ideal vehicle for the rich, creamy brie and crispy, salty bacon. The cranberry sauce adds a sweet-tart brightness that cuts through the richness and ties everything together.

The circular presentation elevates what would otherwise be simple stuffed crescents into an elegant centerpiece worthy of your finest holiday table. Yet despite its impressive appearance, the recipe requires no special skills or equipment—just basic assembly that anyone can master.

The make-ahead capability and quick baking time make this appetizer practical for busy hosts, while the pull-apart format encourages guests to gather around and interact, making it as functional as it is beautiful.

Expert Entertaining Tips

Timing: Assemble the wreath in the morning or afternoon, refrigerate, then bake 30 minutes before guests arrive so it’s warm and fresh.

Doubling the Recipe: For larger parties, make two wreaths and stagger the baking so one is always fresh and hot.

Presentation: Garnish with fresh cranberries, rosemary sprigs, or thyme branches around the platter for a festive look.

Dietary Modifications: Label the ingredients clearly if serving guests with dietary restrictions, and consider making a second vegetarian version.

Temperature: Serve warm but not piping hot—the cheese should be melted and gooey but not so hot that it burns.

Final Thoughts

The Bacon Brie Crescent Wreath is the ultimate holiday appetizer because it delivers restaurant-quality results with convenience-store ingredients. It transforms three everyday items—crescent rolls, brie, and bacon—into something truly special through creative presentation and smart flavor combinations.

Whether you’re hosting Thanksgiving dinner, a Christmas party, a New Year’s Eve gathering, or simply want to elevate a casual get-together, this wreath will impress your guests without stressing you out in the kitchen. The combination of minimal effort and maximum impact makes it a recipe you’ll return to again and again throughout the holiday season and beyond.

Make this Bacon Brie Crescent Wreath the star of your next gathering and watch as guests marvel at your culinary prowess—no need to tell them how easy it actually was.