Description
A stunning holiday appetizer featuring golden crescent roll pastry arranged in a wreath shape and filled with savory turkey, sweet cranberry sauce, and melted cheese. This showstopping ring comes together in just 30 minutes and serves 8-12 people, perfect for Thanksgiving, Christmas, or any festive gathering.
Ingredients
2 cans (8 oz each) refrigerated crescent roll dough
2½ cups cooked turkey breast, diced or shredded
½ cup cranberry sauce (homemade or canned)
1½ cups shredded mozzarella or Swiss cheese
4 oz cream cheese, softened
2 tablespoons mayonnaise
1 teaspoon dried thyme or poultry seasoning
½ teaspoon garlic powder
Salt and pepper to taste
1 egg beaten with 1 tablespoon water (egg wash)
Fresh rosemary or thyme sprigs for garnish
Sesame seeds or poppy seeds for topping (optional)
Extra cranberry sauce for serving
Instructions
1. Preheat oven to 375°F. Line a large baking sheet or pizza stone with parchment paper.
2. In a medium bowl, combine softened cream cheese, mayonnaise, garlic powder, dried thyme, salt, and pepper. Mix until smooth and creamy.
3. Fold in diced turkey and shredded cheese, stirring until everything is evenly coated. Set filling aside.
4. Remove crescent roll dough from refrigerator and let sit for 5 minutes. Unroll both cans but do not separate into triangles. Press perforations together to seal, creating two rectangular sheets.
5. Cut each sheet into 8 triangles using a sharp knife or pizza cutter—you’ll have 16 triangles total.
6. On your prepared baking sheet, arrange the 16 triangles in a circle with wide ends overlapping in the center (creating a 5-inch diameter center circle) and pointed ends facing outward like sun rays.
7. Press the overlapping wide ends together firmly to seal the center ring.
8. Spread a thin layer of cranberry sauce over the dough circle, leaving the pointed triangle ends bare.
9. Spoon the turkey and cream cheese mixture evenly over the cranberry layer, staying within the center circle. Don’t overfill.
10. Starting with one triangle point, fold it over the filling toward the center, tucking it slightly under the filling. Continue around the circle with each triangle, creating a braided or wreath appearance.
11. Gently press down on any loose edges to secure. Some filling will be visible—this is normal.
12. Brush the entire exposed pastry surface generously with egg wash.
13. Sprinkle with sesame seeds or poppy seeds if desired.
14. Optional: Place a small oven-safe bowl in the center hole to maintain the ring shape during baking.
15. Bake for 20-25 minutes until pastry is deep golden brown and flaky, and cheese is melted and bubbling.
16. Remove from oven and let cool for 5 minutes. Carefully transfer to a serving platter using a large spatula.
17. Garnish with fresh herb sprigs. Place a bowl of extra cranberry sauce in the center hole.
18. Slice into wedges or let guests pull apart. Serve warm.
Notes
Use leftover Thanksgiving turkey for best flavor and convenience—this is perfect for day-after entertaining.
Don’t use too much cranberry sauce or filling will be too wet and leak during baking.
Pat turkey dry with paper towels before mixing if it seems moist.
Assemble unbaked ring up to 4 hours ahead. Cover and refrigerate, then add 5 minutes to baking time.
Freeze unbaked rings for up to 1 month. Bake from frozen, adding 10-15 minutes to baking time.
Store leftover baked ring wrapped in foil for up to 2 days. Reheat at 350°F for 10-15 minutes—don’t microwave.
Rotisserie chicken or deli turkey breast can substitute for leftover turkey.
Try variations: pepper jelly instead of cranberry, buffalo sauce for game day, or pesto for Italian twist.
Mini versions: Make 8 small rings using 2 triangles each. Bake 12-15 minutes.
The ring is easiest to slice when slightly cooled but best served warm.
- Prep Time: 15
- Cook Time: 25
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (1/10 of ring)
- Calories: 245
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 520mg
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 18g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 13g
- Cholesterol: 45mg
Keywords: Turkey Cranberry Crescent Ring, holiday appetizer, crescent roll ring, Thanksgiving appetizer, party food, turkey recipe