Name: Festive Cream Cheese Wreath recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 5 min
Total time: 20 min
Yield: 12
Ingredients: 1 tsp olive oil; 150g bacon, finely diced; 1/2 cup walnuts; 500g cream cheese, at room temperature; 1 cup grated tasty cheese; 1/2 cup dried cranberries, chopped, plus extra to serve; 2 pickled European cucumbers, finely diced; Chives, to serve; Crackers, to serve

by Greer Worsley Last updated on 11/20/2019

Feed a crowd this Christmas with this easy cream cheese wreath, perfect to serve at your next party or barbecue. - Greer Worsley

Ingredients

1 tsp olive oil
150g bacon, finely diced
1/2 cup walnuts
500g cream cheese, at room temperature
1 cup grated tasty cheese
1/2 cup dried cranberries, chopped, plus extra to serve
2 pickled European cucumbers, finely diced
Chives, to serve
Crackers, to serve

Method

Step 1

Heat oil in a small frypan. Cook bacon for 4 - 5 minutes until crispy. Drain on a paper towel.
Step 2

Wipe out pan, then return to heat. Add walnuts and cook, tossing continuously, until golden. Remove to a board and chop into small pieces.
Step 3

In a large bowl, combine cream cheese, tasty cheese, bacon, walnuts, cranberries and pickled cucumbers.
Step 4

Using a spatula, begin to spread the cream cheese mixture onto a serving plate, shaping into a wreath. Sprinkle with finely diced chives and garnish with extra cranberries.
Step 5

Serve with crackers.

Recipe Notes

from Australia’s Best Recipes team

It is easier to work with the cream cheese if it has had a chance to come up to room temperature. Once you have formed the wreath, you can return it to the fridge until you are ready to serve.

You can use almonds or pistachios if you prefer.

Serve with store-bought crackers, or freshly sliced baguette.

This recipe was created and photographed by Greer Worsley for Australia's Best Recipes.