Cheese Wreath Recipes

SUNNY'S HOT HAM AND CHEESE WREATH

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
• Line a large baking sheet or pizza pan with parchment paper or nonstick aluminum foil. Place a 4.5-inch diameter bowl upside down in the center of the baking dish and use it as a guide (it will be the center, empty area of your wreath). Arrange triangular sections of the crescent dough on the parchment in a circle around the bowl with the long points facing outward as the "rays" and the wide bases in the center with the edges overlapping. Brush the jalapeño jelly on the dough. Remove the bowl.
• In a small bowl, mix the ham, Gruyere and pepper jack, then layer the mixture on the dough, creating a ring around the center of the circle. Pull the points of dough from the outer edge over the filling and tuck under the center rim of the dough circle. The filling will show and that's ok! Top with jalapeño slices all around.
• Bake, rotating halfway through, until golden, 20 to 25 minutes. Allow to cool slightly before slicing to serve.

HOLIDAY CHEESE BALL WREATH

Steps:

• Line the inside of a 6-cup Bundt pan with plastic wrap. Process the cream cheese, shredded cheese, Worcestershire sauce, 1/2 teaspoon salt and few grinds of pepper in a food processor until smooth. Empty the mixture into a medium bowl, and fold in all but 2 tablespoons of the chopped peppers.
• Spoon the cheese mixture into the prepared Bundt pan; pack it in, spread into an even layer and cover (or simply form the cheese mixture into a ball and wrap tightly with plastic wrap). Refrigerate until chilled, at least 1 hour up to 2 days.
• Uncover and invert the cheese mold (or unwrap and transfer the ball) onto a serving platter. Sprinkle with the chives and parsley to completely coat the wreath, and garnish with the reserved 2 tablespoons peppers. Serve with crackers, sliced bread or crudites.

TACO CHEESE BALL WREATH

Steps:

• Line a 16-ounce bowl with plastic wrap, allowing excess to hang over the sides.
• Combine cream cheese, Monterey Jack cheese, and taco seasoning in a food processor; process until well combined. Add green onions, ½ of the cilantro leaves, and green chiles and pulse until well combined with flecks of green; do not fully process.
• Transfer cheese mixture to the lined bowl and press to smooth. Cover and refrigerator for at least 4 hours or up to 8 hours or overnight.
• Invert cheese onto a serving platter and remove plastic. Use a small shot glass or spoon to create a hole in the center of the cheese to form a wreath shape.
• Finely chop remaining cilantro leaves and lightly cover the top of the cheese. Combine tomato, onion, and jalapeno in a small bowl and place over the cilantro in a 1-inch ring around the wreath.

CHEESY PESTO ROLL WREATH (CHRISTMAS WREATH APPETIZER)

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper. Draw a 5-inch circle on the center of the parchment paper.
• Open both cans of dough and separate crescents into 16 triangles. Arrange the triangles on the prepared baking sheet the flat edges lined up and overlapping along the 5-inch circle and the points facing outward; it will resemble a sunburst.
• Combine cream cheese, mozzarella cheese, and 6 tablespoons pesto in a bowl. Mix until well combined, then spread around the center of the ring of crescent dough.
• Wrap each dough triangle up over filling and tucking it under the bottom to secure. Repeat around the entire ring. Brush remaining 2 tablespoons pesto on top.
• Bake in the preheated oven until the dough is golden brown and cooked, 18 to 20 minutes. Remove from oven and allow to cool for 5 minutes.
• Slice into individually portioned rings, but keep all the rings in place in the shape of a wreath. Garnish with rosemary sprigs and cherry tomatoes.