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 parties because it looks impressive yet is so simple to assemble.
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 the 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.
- Add cheeses, meats, crackers, and bread:
- 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 brings my family together around the table during the holidays.
Notes
For extra holiday flair use pomegranate seeds for garnish and serve with 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 or walnuts), and gluten (crackers and bread). May contain sulfites (dried fruits cured meats). Always check labels for allergens if uncertain.
Save This beautiful and tasty platter is sure to be a highlight at your next gathering.
Recipe Guide
- → How do you make the cranberry sauce for the platter?
Simmer fresh or frozen cranberries with sugar, orange juice, and zest until the berries burst and the mixture thickens, then let it cool completely before plating.
- → Can the platter be adapted for vegetarians?
Yes, simply omit the sliced meats and increase cheeses or add roasted vegetables to maintain a rich, flavorful presentation.
- → What cheeses work best for this platter?
Brie, sharp white cheddar, and goat cheese create a balanced mix of creamy and tangy flavors with varied textures.
- → How should the platter be assembled for visual impact?
Arrange rosemary sprigs in a circular wreath on the platter, then alternate spoonfuls of cranberry sauce with sections of cheeses, meats, crackers, fruits, and nuts to build a festive look.
- → What are good garnish options to enhance the platter?
Fresh rosemary sprigs and pomegranate seeds add color and a festive touch that complement the flavors and appearance.
- → Are there any common allergens to be aware of?
This platter contains dairy, tree nuts, and gluten. Some dried fruits and cured meats may also include sulfites, so check ingredients carefully.