Baked Brie Wreath

The Baked Brie Wreath That Will Steal Your Holiday Spotlight

Hey there, friend! Chef Emily here, coming to you from my flour-dusted kitchen with a recipe that’s about to become your new holiday tradition. Picture this: the tree is twinkling, your favorite holiday playlist is on, and the scent of garlic and herbs is wafting through the air. You place a gorgeous, golden, pull-apart wreath on the table, and as you gently tear into it, a river of warm, molten brie cheese comes oozing out. That, my friend, is the magic of this Honey-Glazed Baked Brie Wreath.

I’m a firm believer that the best holiday dishes are the ones that are not only delicious but also a joy to make and share. This baked brie wreath is exactly that. It’s dramatic, festive, and looks like you spent hours on it, but the secret is that it’s incredibly simple. We’re using store-bought pizza dough as our trusty sidekick, turning it into an edible work of art that’s perfect for sharing. Whether you’re hosting the big family gathering, heading to a potluck, or just having a cozy night in, this centerpiece is a warm, gooey invitation to gather, connect, and chow down on something truly spectacular. So, tie on your favorite apron (the messy one is always the best!), and let’s make some cheesy magic together.

A Wreath Born from a Happy Kitchen Accident

This recipe holds a special place in my heart because, like many of my favorite kitchen creations, it was born from a happy little accident. A few years back, I was tasked with bringing an appetizer to my friend’s chaotic, wonderful, and incredibly crowded holiday party. I had a wheel of brie, some pizza dough I needed to use up, and about 20 minutes before I had to walk out the door. My grand plan for an intricately braided loaf went out the window when I realized I was short on time.

In a moment of “what if?” inspiration, I just started cutting the dough into strips and folding them over the brie haphazardly. It looked a bit like a sunburst, but as I placed it on the baking sheet, I nudged it into a circle. When it came out of the oven, puffed and golden, my husband looked at it and said, “Hey, it looks like a wreath!” I quickly drizzled it with honey and threw on some rosemary from my windowsill herb garden. That “accidental” wreath was the first thing to disappear at the party, and I’ve been perfecting it for you ever since. It just goes to show that sometimes, the most beautiful and beloved recipes come from a place of fun, not perfection.

Gathering Your Cheesy, Golden Ingredients

Here’s your shopping list for this masterpiece. I’ve included some of my favorite insights and swaps so you can make this recipe your own!

• 1 wheel of brie (8 oz): This is the star of our show! Don’t be tempted to remove the rind—it’s perfectly edible and helps hold the molten cheese inside its doughy package. A good, creamy brie is key. If you can find a triple-creme, you’re in for an extra decadent treat.
• 1 lb pizza dough: My go-to is store-bought for ultimate ease (check the freezer or refrigerated section!), but if you have a favorite homemade recipe, by all means, use it! Let it come to room temperature for at least 30-60 minutes; this makes it much easier to stretch and work with without snapping back.
• 2 tablespoons honey (plus extra for drizzling): Honey and brie are a match made in heaven. The sweet, floral notes cut through the rich cheese beautifully. For a deeper flavor, try using maple syrup or even a fig jam.
• 1 tablespoon olive oil: This adds a lovely richness and helps the crust get extra golden. A good extra virgin olive oil will add a fruity note, but a regular olive oil works perfectly fine too.
• 1 teaspoon dried rosemary or Italian herbs: I love the piney, festive fragrance of rosemary, but a classic Italian herb blend (with oregano, thyme, basil) is also fantastic. If you have fresh rosemary, chop it finely—you’ll only need about half a teaspoon.
• 1 egg, beaten (for egg wash): This is our secret weapon for that beautiful, glossy, professional-looking golden-brown finish. Don’t skip it! A little splash of water or milk in the beaten egg will help it brush on more evenly.
• All-purpose flour (for dusting): Just a light sprinkle on your work surface and rolling pin to prevent the dough from sticking. No one wants a sticky situation!
• Optional: chopped walnuts or pecans, fresh thyme for garnish: I highly recommend the nuts! Toasting them first in a dry pan for a few minutes will unlock their incredible flavor and add a wonderful crunch. The fresh thyme at the end makes it look gorgeous and adds a pop of fresh aroma.

Crafting Your Edible Masterpiece: Step-by-Step

Ready to create some kitchen magic? Follow these steps, and you’ll have a show-stopping centerpiece in no time. I’ve packed this section with all my favorite chef hacks to ensure your success!

1. Preheat and Prep: Fire up your oven to 375°F (190°C). This is the perfect temperature to cook the dough through without burning it before the cheese gets wonderfully gooey. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Chef’s Hack: A light spritz of cooking spray on the parchment paper under where the wreath will sit gives you an extra layer of non-stick insurance.
2. Roll it Out: On a lightly floured surface, roll your room-temperature pizza dough into a large circle, about ¼ inch thick. Don’t stress about it being a perfect circle! A rustic, organic shape is part of its charm. Think of it as a large, doughy canvas for your brie.
3. Center Stage for the Brie: Place your whole wheel of brie right in the center of the dough circle. Now, take your honey and drizzle it generously right over the top of the brie wheel. Let it pool a little on the rind—this is where the magic begins.
4. The “Sun Ray” Cut: This is the fun part! Imagine the brie is the sun. Using a sharp knife or a pizza cutter, cut slits in the dough from the edge of the brie outwards to the edge of the dough, creating strips that look like sun rays. I like to make about 16-20 strips. The key is to leave a few inches of dough intact around the brie itself—this is the foundation that will hold everything together.
5. Fold and Seal: Now, we’re going to fold each dough strip over the brie, one by one, slightly overlapping them as you go. It will start to look like a beautiful, woven package. When you get to the last strip, tuck the end gently under the first one to create a seamless wreath shape. Press the ends lightly where they meet the center to help them stick.
6. Brush and Sprinkle: Use a pastry brush to lightly coat the entire dough surface with the olive oil. Then, give it a thorough brush with the beaten egg wash—this is what gives us that gorgeous color. Now, sprinkle your dried herbs evenly over the top. For an extra flavor boost, you can even mix a pinch of garlic powder or flaky sea salt into your herbs before sprinkling.
7. Bake to Golden Perfection: Carefully transfer your wreath to the preheated oven. Bake for 20-25 minutes. You’re looking for a deep, golden-brown crust and you might even see a little cheesy bubble peeking out from the center. Your kitchen will smell absolutely incredible.
8. The Grand Finale: Take the wreath out of the oven and let it cool on the baking sheet for at least 5-10 minutes. This is crucial! It allows the molten cheese to settle slightly, so it doesn’t erupt like a cheesy volcano when you cut into it. Right before serving, give it one more luxurious drizzle of honey, and sprinkle on your toasted nuts and fresh herbs. It’s time for its close-up!

How to Serve This Star of the Show

Presentation is part of the fun! I love placing the entire baked brie wreath on a large wooden cutting board or a beautiful festive platter. Put a small bowl of extra honey or a dollop of fruit preserves like cranberry or apricot in the center of the wreath for dipping.

For serving, just let everyone tear off their own piece of the warm, cheesy bread. It’s interactive, fun, and breaks the ice at any party. What to serve it with? The possibilities are endless!

• Classic Companions: A variety of crackers, slices of a crisp baguette, and thin apple or pear slices are my go-to. The crisp, fresh fruit is a fantastic contrast to the rich, warm cheese.
• For a Charcuterie Vibe: Arrange some cured meats like prosciutto or salami around the wreath on the board.
• For the Perfect Bite: Encourage your guests to create the ultimate bite: a piece of the wreath, a slice of apple, and a sliver of prosciutto. Trust me, it’s life-changing.

Get Creative! Fun Flavor Twists

Once you’ve mastered the classic, feel free to play with the flavors! This recipe is a wonderful canvas for your creativity.

• The “Everything Bagel” Wreath: Before baking, swap the herbs for a generous sprinkling of everything bagel seasoning. After baking, drizzle with everything and add fresh chopped chives. Unbelievably good!
• Fig & Pistachio Elegance: Instead of drizzling honey on the brie, spread a layer of fig jam on top of the cheese. After baking, garnish with chopped, shelled pistachios for a beautiful color and flavor contrast.
• Spicy ‘Nduja Kick: For the adventurous palate! Take a tablespoon of spicy ‘nduja or a few slices of chopped Calabrian chilis and spread it over the brie before adding the dough. It creates a wonderfully spicy, savory, and cheesy experience.
• Vegan-Friendly Version: You can absolutely make this plant-based! Use a high-quality vegan brie (they’ve gotten so good!) and vegan pizza dough. For the egg wash, simply use olive oil or a plant-based milk mixed with a little maple syrup to help with browning.
• Cranberry & Orange Festive Twist: Perfect for Christmas! Top the brie with a spoonful of whole-berry cranberry sauce and a little sprinkle of orange zest before wrapping. Garnish with fresh rosemary.

Chef Emily’s Kitchen Notes

Over the years, this recipe has seen many iterations in my kitchen. I once, in a pre-coffee haze, used cinnamon sugar instead of herbs. It was… an interesting dessert brie! My family still teases me about it. The beauty of cooking is that even the “mistakes” can be delicious. My biggest piece of advice is to embrace the rustic look. No two wreaths will ever look exactly the same, and that’s what makes yours special. The dough might tear a little, or your strips might be uneven—it all adds to the homemade charm. The most important ingredient is always the joy you put into making it.

Your Questions, Answered!

I’ve gotten a lot of questions about this recipe over the years. Here are the answers to the most common ones!

Q: Can I make this ahead of time?
A: You can assemble the wreath up to the point of baking, cover it tightly with plastic wrap, and keep it in the refrigerator for a few hours before your event. Let it sit at room temperature for 20 minutes while the oven preheats, then bake as directed. You may need to add 2-3 extra minutes to the baking time since it’s starting from cold.

Q: My cheese exploded out the sides! What happened?
A> Don’t worry, it still tastes amazing! This usually happens if the brie was too cold going into the oven, causing the rind to burst under pressure, or if the dough wasn’t sealed well. Letting the brie sit out for 15-20 minutes before assembling and ensuring you press the dough ends firmly to seal will help prevent this. But honestly, a little cheesy lava just adds to the drama!

Q: Can I use puff pastry instead of pizza dough?
A: Absolutely! Puff pastry will give you a flakier, more buttery result. The method is exactly the same. Just be sure to thaw the puff pastry according to package instructions.

Q: How do I reheat leftovers?
A> Leftovers? I’m impressed! The best way is to reheat slices in an air fryer or toaster oven at 350°F for a few minutes until warm and crispy again. The microwave will make the dough soggy, so I don’t recommend it.

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Nutritional Information (Because We’re All About Balance!)

Hey, I’m all about indulging in life’s delicious moments, and this wreath is definitely a celebration food! But I also believe in knowing what you’re enjoying. Here’s a rough breakdown per serving (assuming 8 servings). Remember, these are estimates and can vary based on your specific ingredients.

Approx. per serving:
Calories: 220 | Protein: 7g | Carbs: 18g | Fat: 13g

Brie is a good source of protein and calcium, but it’s also rich in saturated fat, which is why this is a perfect shareable treat. The pizza dough provides carbohydrates for energy. To lighten it up slightly, you can use a whole-wheat pizza dough and go a little lighter on the honey drizzle. But my personal philosophy? On a holiday, savor every glorious, cheesy, buttery bite without an ounce of guilt. Food is love, remember?

Final Thoughts from My Kitchen to Yours

Well, my friend, there you have it—my heart and soul poured into this Baked Brie Wreath recipe. It’s more than just an appetizer; it’s a conversation starter, a centerpiece, and a warm, cheesy hug on a plate. It represents everything I love about Tasty Chow: fun, flavor, and bringing people together over seriously good food.

I hope you feel empowered and excited to make this for your next gathering. I can’t wait for you to see the looks of delight on your friends’ and family’s faces when you bring this golden beauty to the table. Remember, the secret ingredient is always you. So have fun with it, make it your own, and don’t forget to tag me @TastyChow if you share a photo—I love seeing your creations!

Now go forth, preheat that oven, and create something delicious. Sending you all the warm, bubbly, cheesy vibes!

With love and a full heart,
Emily

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Prep Time: 15 minutes | Cook Time: 25 minutes | Total Time: 40 minutes | Serves: 6-8