This easy Bacon Brie Crescent Wreath with Fresh Cranberry Compote is a show-stopping holiday treat your guests will love!
JUMP TO RECIPEThis savory and simple crescent wreath features creamy brie cheese, crispy smoked bacon, fresh rosemary, all accompanied by a quick and easy fresh cranberry compote, for a show-stopping appetizer your guests will love!
All you need to do is assemble, bake for 20 minutes on a pizza pan, and serve with a bowl of cranberry compote right in the center!
This crescent roll wreath is perfect for holiday entertaining, with a beautiful presentation, and even better flavor!
Table of Contents
- Why you'll love this recipe
- Core Ingredients
- Substitutions and Additions
- Step By Step Instructions (with video)
- FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)
- Storage
- More Great Appetizers
Why you'll love this recipe
Perfect for parties! This festive recipe is easy to make, and impressive to showcase on your table for guests! Who can resist an adorable wreath filled with bacon and cheese?!
Fresh and flavorful Cranberry Compote. Making your own Cranberry Compote sets it apart, with fresh, sweet and tart flavor, and amazing texture! And the compote only takes 10 minutes in a saucepan!
Made with simple ingredients. All of the ingredients are easily found in your local grocery store, particularly around the holidays! No fussy specialty items required!
Ready in under 1 hour! The only thing better than the flavor of this crescent wreath is how quick and easy it is to whip up! Make the whole thing from start to finish in under an hour, with mostly hands-off cooking!
Core Ingredients
Below are some notes on getting the perfect ingredients to build your wreath!
Wreath Ingredients
Crescent rolls. You can use any brand you like! These will serve as the "dough" for the wreath. You'll arrange the individual triangles in a circular pattern to form a wreath.
Brie cheese. I use Alouette Double Creme Brie. You can opt to remove the rind, or leave it intact, as it is edible!
Thick cut bacon, cooked and crumbled. You can cook, drain, and cool the bacon for the recipe, or use pre-cooked bacon.
Eggs. You'll whisk these well and brush them generously over the Wreath to give it a shiny, golden brown finish. The egg wash also helps the seasonings to adhere to the wreath.
Flakey sea salt, for finishing. I used Maldon flakey sea salt. This gives a pretty presentation as well as a bit of crunch, since it's a finishing salt, and retains it's crunch in the oven!
Fresh Rosemary. This adds a woodsy note to the finished Bacon Brie Crescent Wreath, and gives it a pretty red and green look with the cranberry compote. I like to use extra sprigs to give it a holiday look when it comes out of the oven.
Cranberry Compote Ingredients
Fresh cranberries. These will serve as the base of the Cranberry Compote. You can use fresh or frozen cranberries for this recipe.
Light brown sugar. This gives a the cranberry compote the perfect touch of sweetness, with a light caramel background note.
Fresh orange, zested and juiced. I use my Microplane to zest the orange right into the pot, and squeeze all the delicous fresh juice into the pan to give the compote an balanced citrus note.
Substitutions and Additions
Here are some great swaps and additions you can use to make this recipe your own:
Skip making the compote. Serve the wreath with canned sweet cranberry sauce instead of making the compote. Store bought compote or fig jam would also be delicious!
No fresh orange? No problem! Try a few tablespoons of bottled orange juice in the compote, if you don't have a fresh orange.
Play with the herbs. Swap the fresh rosemary for fresh thyme or sage, or a light sprinkling of dried rosemary.
Swap out the bacon. Use thinly sliced prosciutto or speck ham in place of the bacon, or use pre-cooked bacon and save a step! If you'd like to make this vegetarian, you could omit the meat, or replace it with some caramelized onions, or caramelized onion jam.
Try Puff Pastry instead. Swap the crescent rolls for puff pastry, but keep in mind you will need to cut and prep the dough.
Make it spicy! Drizzle on some Hot Honey for a spicy twist after baking!
Step By Step Instructions (with video)
This Bacon Brie Crescent Wreath is like a fun arts and crafts appetizer! Here's how to make this tasty Crescent Wreath:
Bacon Brie Crescent Wreath with Cranberry Compote
Equipment
- pizza pan or pizza stone
- parchment paper
Ingredients
Brie Bacon Wreath
- 2 cans crescent roll dough, such as Pillsbury
- 1 8 oz wheel of Brie cheese, cut into small cubes
- 8 slices thick cut bacon, cooked and crumbled into smaller pieces
- 2 large eggs, lightly beaten
- flakey sea salt, such as Maldon, to taste
- freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- ½ tablespoon fresh Rosemary, chopped finely
Cranberry Compote
- 12 oz fresh cranberries
- ¾ cup light brown sugar
- ½ cup water
- 1 orange, zested and juiced
Instructions
- Make the Cranberry Compote: 1. In a small sauce pan, combine fresh cranberries, light brown sugar, water, and the juice and zest of 1 orange. 2. Set pot over medium-low heat and cook, stirring occasionally (keep an eye on it so it doesn’t boil over), until cranberries burst open and break down. This will take about 10-12 minutes. Sauce is ready when it easily coats the back of a spoon, and most of the cranberries are burst open. Make the Brie Bacon Crescent Wreath: 1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees. 2. On a pizza pan or pizza stone lined with parchment paper, unroll crescent rolls, separating each one. Arrange the crescent roll triangles with the thick end of the dough toward the inside, in a sunburst pattern. The base of the triangles should overlap so the wreath seals well. 3. Arrange brie and bacon in the center on the thickest part of the overlapping crescents, leaving a small margin in the center. 4. Fold triangle tips over and tuck extra dough underneath to secure. This will make a ring, and ensure your filling stays in place. Take a look at the shape, and gently adjust to form an even circle, if needed. 5. Whisk eggs together in a small bowl, and brush liberally over dough. Sprinkle on rosemary, flakey sea salt, and pepper. 6. Bake for 20-25 minutes until golden brown. Turn your wreath in the oven halfway through to promote even browning. 7. Allow to cool for at least 15 minutes, then carefully transport the wreath to your serving platter, and set a bowl with the cranberry compote in the center. Garnish with additional sprigs of fresh rosemary, if desired.
FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)
Why is my brie leaking out?
To keep your wreath intact and prevent any blowouts or leaking, be sure to keep your crescent roll sunburst pattern tight and slightly overlapped to keep most of the cheese inside the wreath and prevent it from oozing out onto your baking sheet.
What should I do if my brie leaks out?
If your wreath oozes cheese a bit- it's OK! Line your pizza pan or pizza stone with parchment to prevent sticking, and allow it too cool enough to handle, then carefully move it off of the parchment, and cut away any excess oozed cheese. It will still be DELICIOUS!
What's the best way to get even browning on the wreath?
Turn your wreath clockwise in the oven halfway through to promote even browning.
How do I transport this to a party?
To transport this wreath to a party, place it on a sturdy platter large enough to hold it, and cover tightly with aluminum foil. Store the cranberry compote in a separate container, and transfer to a serving bowl once you get to the party! If you can get your local pizzeria to give you a clean pizza box, that would also work great!
Do I need to remove the rind from Brie?
This is totally up to your preference. The rind is fully edible, so you can include it if you like it, or remove if the rind isn't your thing!
Can I make this wreath ahead of time?
Yes! You could make this a day or 2 ahead, and store in the refrigerator, then reheat it for about 15 minutes in a 350 degree oven, or until warmed through. You can also make it ahead, freeze it in plastic wrap, and thaw and bake!
Can I use puff pastry instead of crescent dough?
You can, but keep in mind that you will need to roll it out to a thin layer, cut it, and bake at 400 degrees for about 12- 15 minutes. It will also have a much crisper texture.
Storage
Store leftovers (if you have any) in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. To reheat, warm through in the oven or toaster oven for about 15 minutes at 350 degrees. You can also rewarm in the air fryer for about 3-5 minutes at 350 degrees!
More Great Appetizers
If you love this festive Bacon Brie Crescent Wreath with Cranberry Compote, you'll love these delicious apps, too!
Try my Easy Sweet and Spicy Homemade Cherry Tomato Jam- it goes great with toast, crostini, or on a grilled cheese!
Make the perfect party dip with my Hot and Cheesy French Onion Soup Dip!
Whip up a batch of my Crescent Roll Ups with Prosciutto and Fig- the perfect pop-able fall snack!
Try my flavorful twist on a classic appetizer- Garlic Parmesan Pigs in a Blanket with Proscuitto!
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Rachel Sutherland says
This recipe was so easy to follow and delicious. I made it for my Friendsgiving at work and received so many compliments! The cranberry compote was such a good addition. I had left overs and just ate it with a spoon! Shh...tell no one.