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 become my go-to for holiday gatherings because it combines bold flavors with minimal effort and always impresses guests.
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 wreath:
- On a large round platter or board arrange the rosemary sprigs in a circular wreath shape as the base.
- Place cranberry sauce:
- Spoon small mounds of cranberry sauce at intervals around the wreath.
- Arrange cheeses and accompaniments:
- 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 always sparks joy at our family gatherings with everyone enjoying the variety of flavors and festive presentation.
Notes
For a vegetarian platter omit meats and add more cheese or roasted vegetables. Swap out cheeses for your favorites or add blue cheese for extra flavor. For extra holiday flair use pomegranate seeds for garnish. Serve with a crisp white wine or sparkling cider.
Required Tools
Large round platter or cheese board Small saucepan (if making cranberry sauce) Sharp knife Cheese knives or spreaders
Allergen Information
Contains dairy (cheese) tree nuts (pecans/walnuts) and gluten (crackers/bread). May contain sulfites (dried fruits cured meats). Always check labels for allergens if uncertain.
Save This cranberry wreath platter is the perfect festive appetizer to delight your guests and make your holiday entertaining effortless.
Cooking Questions
- → How is the cranberry sauce prepared?
Simmer fresh or frozen cranberries with sugar, orange juice, and zest until the berries burst and the sauce thickens, then let it cool completely before assembling.
- → Can the platter be made vegetarian-friendly?
Yes, simply omit the meats and add extra cheese or roasted vegetables to maintain variety and flavor.
- → What cheeses work best for this platter?
Brie, sharp white cheddar, and goat cheese are suggested for a balance of creamy, sharp, and tangy flavors, but feel free to substitute favorites or add blue cheese for extra depth.
- → How should the platter be arranged?
Use rosemary sprigs to form a wreath base on a large platter. Distribute cranberry sauce, cheeses, meats, crackers, fruits, and nuts evenly around for a lush, inviting presentation.
- → What are good beverage pairings?
This platter pairs well with crisp white wine or sparkling cider, enhancing the festive and fresh flavors.
- → Are there any common allergens to be aware of?
Yes, the platter contains dairy, tree nuts, and gluten. Cured meats and dried fruits may have sulfites; check labels if necessary.