Save A festive and vibrant appetizer platter arranged in the shape of a holiday wreath, featuring tangy cranberry sauce, creamy cheeses, savory meats, and crisp accompaniments — perfect for entertaining.
This platter has been my go-to festive appetizer for years, impressing guests every time with its colorful arrangement and delightful taste.
Ingredients
- Cranberry Sauce: 1 cup fresh or frozen cranberries, 1/2 cup granulated sugar, 1/4 cup orange juice, 1 tsp orange zest
- Cheeses: 150 g (5 oz) brie sliced, 150 g (5 oz) sharp white cheddar cubed, 120 g (4 oz) goat cheese formed into small rounds
- Meats (optional for non-vegetarian platter): 100 g (3.5 oz) prosciutto thinly sliced, 100 g (3.5 oz) salami sliced
- Crackers & Bread: 100 g (3.5 oz) water crackers, 1 baguette sliced and toasted
- Fruits & Nuts: 1 cup seedless red grapes, 1/2 cup dried apricots, 1/2 cup toasted pecans or walnuts, 1/4 cup fresh rosemary sprigs (for garnish)
Instructions
- Prepare the cranberry sauce:
- In a small saucepan, combine cranberries, sugar, orange juice, and zest. Bring to a simmer over medium heat, stirring occasionally until the cranberries burst and the sauce thickens about 8–10 minutes. Let cool completely.
- Arrange rosemary base:
- On a large round platter or board, arrange the rosemary sprigs in a circular wreath shape as the base.
- Add cranberry sauce:
- Spoon small mounds of cranberry sauce at intervals around the wreath.
- Arrange cheeses and meats:
- Arrange cheeses, meats (if using), crackers, and bread slices in sections around the rosemary, alternating for visual appeal.
- Add fruits and nuts:
- Tuck grapes, dried apricots, and nuts between the cheeses and meats to fill gaps and create a lush, full appearance.
- Garnish and serve:
- Garnish with additional rosemary sprigs and serve immediately.
Save This platter brings my family together every holiday season, sparking conversations while everyone enjoys the various flavors and textures.
Serving Suggestions
Serve with a crisp white wine or sparkling cider to complement the sweet and savory elements of the platter.
Allergen Information
Contains dairy (cheese) tree nuts (pecans or walnuts) and gluten (crackers and bread) Always check labels for allergens if uncertain.
Nutritional Information
Per serving with meats: Calories 240 Total Fat 14 g Carbohydrates 23 g Protein 8 g
Save This cranberry wreath platter is sure to impress your guests and bring festive cheer to your table.
Recipe Questions & Answers
- → How do I make the cranberry sauce?
Combine cranberries, sugar, orange juice, and zest in a saucepan. Simmer over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until cranberries burst and sauce thickens, about 8–10 minutes. Let cool before serving.
- → Can I customize the cheeses used?
Yes, feel free to swap in your preferred cheeses such as blue cheese or gouda to suit your taste preferences and add variety to the platter.
- → Is there a vegetarian option available?
Omit the meats and increase the variety or quantity of cheeses and roasted vegetables for a delicious vegetarian platter.
- → What is the best way to arrange the platter?
Use rosemary sprigs to form a wreath base on a round platter. Then alternate spoonfuls of cranberry sauce, cheeses, meats, crackers, and fruits evenly around the wreath for visual appeal.
- → What pairings complement this platter well?
This platter pairs beautifully with crisp white wines or sparkling cider, enhancing the balance of tangy, creamy, and savory flavors.