Edible wreaths are the ultimate party food to serve as an appetizer or as a side on the buffet for every single holiday bash you could imagine! Last year I made a charcuterie wreath that was filled with incredible meats, cheeses, and accompaniments. You can never go wrong with awesome appetizers during the most wonderful time of the year. It’s honestly a necessity for me and I’m sure for you as well, especially if you enjoy hosting as much as I do! It’s always a fantastic activity for your guests to be able to experience digging into something edible that appears to be a centerpiece or piece of decor! I LOVE getting experimental with different types of dough during the Christmas season. It is extremely cool too see the combinations and things you can pack, roll, or place into phyllo, biscuit, pizza, crescent, or puff pastry dough. The options are truly limitless! Therefore, you can substitute the salami for pepperoni, ham, or whatever your heart desires because it will all work! You will never be able to go wrong with delicious dough, mounds of cheese, and salty meats all wrapped up into one package. You just won’t.

How to fill your “wreath”:

• Using a pizza pan – separate the crescent dough and place the triangles next to each other, slightly overlapping so everything stays together where it needs to. Allow the pointed side to sit at the end facing outwards so that we can fold it over the filling when we’re ready to roll the ring into a wreath.

Make a cheese filling to spread over each part of the dough!

• In a mixing bowl – combine 1/2 a block of cream cheese with 1/8 cup of sour cream and Romano cheese. Season with lots of Italian herbs ( oregano, basil, and parsley) and then some dill weed as well.

Mix with an electric hand mixer until everything is smooth and fully incorporated.

Then of course, we need to add the salami and even more cheese!

• Place your favorite salami in a circle around the ring.
• Then place five string cheeses on top of the salami. I prefer string cheese over shredded mozzarella or even fresh because I really love how it melts and how much cheese you get in each bite.
• Season with granulated garlic, sweet paprika, and parsley.

• Wrap each triangle around the filling and tuck the points in underneath so that when it begins to bake through everything gets sealed up.
• Garnish with parsley and more dill weed for some greenery since it is a “wreath” after all!

BAKE AT 375 DEGREES FOR 25 MINUTES!

This salami and cheese wreath comes out of the oven sizzling and beautifully crispy. The dough gets wonderfully browned and the inside is super succulent with all those marvelous melted cheeses and that savory salami. I really enjoy adding salami into a recipe like this or on top of a pizza /flatbread because as it bakes in the oven it almost begins to fry from it’s own fat and oils, which is just a magical thing if you ask me! I don’t know what ever had me thinking this, but the simple, yet delectable combination of salami and cream cheese has for quite some time now reminded me of Christmas. Once you start experiencing the special flavor profile of the two together, I’m sure that you’ll feel the same as well.

xoxo