I’m so excited to share my Bacon Cheese Wreath recipe with you! This isn’t just an appetizer — it’s a festive, flavorful, show-stopping treat that will make your holiday table shine. Imagine creamy cheese blended with crispy bacon, tangy Parmesan, and fresh green onions, all shaped into a wreath that’s as beautiful as it is delicious. It’s perfect for parties, holiday gatherings, or any time you want to impress with minimal effort.
Level: Easy
Total Time: 1 hour 25 minutes
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Chilling: 1 hour
Yield: 16 servings
Course: Appetizer
Cuisine: American, Southern
I still remember the first time I made this Bacon Cheese Wreath — the compliments were endless! There’s something magical about the combination of smoky bacon, creamy cheese, and fresh herbs, all shaped into a holiday wreath. It’s a nostalgic nod to classic cheese balls but elevated to a centerpiece-worthy appetizer.
Whether you’re hosting a holiday party, a casual get-together, or just craving a cheesy, savory snack, this recipe is simple enough for beginners but impressive enough to wow guests. We’ll bake the bacon to crispy perfection, mix it with a creamy, flavorful spread, shape it into a festive wreath, and garnish it with fresh parsley and pimentos for that extra holiday touch.
How to Make Bacon Cheese Wreath
Here’s how this festive appetizer comes together:
• Crispy bacon pieces for smokiness and crunch
• Creamy cream cheese and mayonnaise to hold it all together
• Freshly grated Parmesan cheese for tang and depth
• Chopped green onions for freshness
• Fresh parsley and red pimentos to mimic a holiday wreath
• Crackers, pita chips, or colorful vegetables for serving
It’s a no-fuss, make-ahead dish that looks fancy but is easy to execute — my favorite kind of recipe!
Ingredients
For the Cheese Wreath:
- 8 oz cream cheese, room temperature
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- ⅓ cup Parmesan cheese, freshly grated from a block
- ¼ cup green onions, chopped
- 10 bacon strips, cooked and crumbled (or pre-cooked shelf-stable bacon)
- Fresh parsley leaves
- Diced red pimentos
Optional Add-ins:
- Shredded mozzarella cheese
- Crumbled blue cheese
- Shredded Swiss cheese
For Serving:
- Crackers
- Pita chips
- Skewered green or black olives
- Broccoli florets and assorted green veggies
- Red, orange, and yellow bell pepper strips
Directions
- Cook the Bacon:
- Preheat your oven to 375°F.
- Line a rimmed baking sheet with aluminum foil and arrange the bacon slices.
- Bake for 12–15 minutes until golden brown and crispy.
- PRO TIP: Pre-cooked shelf-stable bacon works great and saves cleanup.
- Mix the Cheese Spread:
- In a small bowl, beat the cream cheese and mayonnaise until smooth.
- Gently fold in the freshly grated Parmesan and chopped green onions.
- Stir in the crumbled bacon.
- Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.
- Shape the Wreath:
- Invert a small bowl in the center of a flat serving platter.
- Use a broad spatula or spoon to drop the cheese mixture around the perimeter of the bowl, shaping it into a circle.
- Carefully remove the bowl.
- Smooth the mixture and add texture by flicking your wrist outward with a butter knife.
- Garnish:
- Place parsley leaves in a circular pattern around the wreath.
- Add diced red pimentos in the centers of the parsley to mimic holly berries.
- Serve:
- Arrange crackers, pita chips, or colorful vegetables around the wreath for a festive display.
Process Details
- Cooking the Bacon: Baking the bacon evenly crisps it without the mess of frying. Crumbled bacon adds both flavor and texture.
- Mixing the Spread: Beating the cream cheese and mayo ensures a smooth base, while Parmesan and onions add depth and freshness.
- Shaping the Wreath: Using an inverted bowl as a guide ensures a perfect circle. Adding texture with a knife makes it visually appealing and festive.
Tips for Success
- Use room temperature cream cheese for a smooth mixture.
- Refrigerate the spread for at least 1 hour to make shaping easier.
- Freshly grated Parmesan gives better flavor and texture than pre-grated.
- Experiment with extra herbs or cheeses for a unique twist.
Serving Ideas
- Perfect for holiday parties or potlucks.
- Serve with crackers, pita chips, or a colorful veggie platter.
- Make it part of a larger appetizer spread with deviled eggs or stuffed mushrooms.
Storage & Freezing
- Refrigerator: Cover tightly and store for up to 1 week.
- Freezing: Not recommended, as the texture of cream cheese changes.
Nutrition Info (Approximate per Serving)
- Calories: 163 kcal
- Protein: 3 g
- Carbohydrates: 1 g
- Fat: 16 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Sodium: 214 mg
- Fiber: 0.04 g
- Sugar: 1 g
- Vitamin A: 232 IU
- Vitamin C: 0.3 mg
- Calcium: 41 mg
- Iron: 0.1 mg
My Bacon Cheese Wreath recipe is the ultimate holiday appetizer — creamy, savory, smoky, and festive all in one. It’s a guaranteed crowd-pleaser and a centerpiece-worthy addition to any snack table. I hope you enjoy making (and eating!) this cheesy, bacon-filled holiday delight as much as I do. Once you try it, it’ll quickly become a holiday tradition!