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Home » Recipes » Holidays and Events Recipes » Christmas Recipes

Gingerbread Christmas Fruit Wreath

Published: Nov 30, 2020 by Terri Gilson · Modified: Sep 21, 2022 · As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. This post may contain affiliate links · 20 Comments

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Pinterest Pin with white text or red background in middle and 2 photos of a gingerbread cookie and fruit wreath. The top photo is the whole wreath on a brown wooden background and the bottom photo is a piece of the wreath being held up by a hand

The holidays can be a pretty indulgent time of year. That's what inspired me to create this healthy holiday cookie recipe. I wanted to make a healthier Christmas cookie that was unique, kid friendly, easy to make and didn't leave me overdrawn at the calorie bank.

Edible Christmas Wreath made of gingerbread, fruits and nuts on a brown wooden surface

This Gingerbread Christmas Fruit Wreath is popular during the holiday season and makes a great edible Christmas gift or holiday centerpiece or table decoration for a Christmas party. It's also Weight Watchers friendly!

Jump to:
  • 🥘 Ingredients
  • 📖 Variations
  • 🍽 Equipment
  • 🔪 Instructions (baking and assembly)
  • 🎥 Video
  • 💭 Top tip
  • 👪 Serving Size
  • 🌡️Storage
  • ⭐ Reviews
  • 📋 Gingerbread Christmas Fruit Wreath
  • 📋More Gingerbread Recipes!

Christmas baking can be pretty tempting. I love both the baking of it and the eating of it. And that often pushes me way off track during the holiday season. I want to indulge, but I don't want to go overboard either. And it's really tough to find ww dessert recipes that aren't full of artificial sweeteners.  If you've been following along with me for a while, you'll know I don't like using artificial sweeteners in my cooking or baking. This fruit wreath has no artificial sweeteners, is healthy and light (especially for actual gingerbread cookies) and kids LOVE it too! Obviously, you don't have to be following the Weight Watchers program to enjoy this holiday dessert. In fact, no one will ever even suspect it's WW friendly. And if you're looking for more Weight Watchers Dessert Recipes,  then check out these Weight Watchers desserts without artificial sweeteners HERE! 

gingerbread cookie wreath piece on a white plate with remainder of cookie wreath in the background on a brown wooden surface, with white powdered sugar sprinkles

A gingerbread wreath is a fun and festive way to celebrate Christmas, especially when it's edible and healthy! And nothing makes your house smell as amazing and Christmasy as gingerbread baking in your oven! You can use my favorite gingerbread recipe to make this gingerbread wreath, which I highly recommend, your own recipe or a cookie mix. The gingerbread recipe I use is very strong but it's not too hard, and still tastes delicious, so it's ideal for this recipe. The chocolate cream cheese adds a lovely creamy and tangy texture that pairs perfectly with the gingerbread and fruit. Plus, chocolate just makes everything better, right?! 

🥘 Ingredients

You can buy the chocolate cream cheese or quickly make your own chocolate cream cheese with just 3 ingredients (and that way you control the WW points)!

  • your favorite gingerbread cookie recipe (see mine in recipe card)
  • chocolate cream cheese  * or you can use store-bought instead
  • green grapes
  • kiwis
  • raspberries
  • pecan halves
  • chocolate candy melts
  • tootsie rolls
  • powdered sugar
  • edible gold spray (affiliate link)
piece of gingerbread cookie fruit wreath being held up and whole wreath in background

📖 Variations

  • Nut-free: If you need this Christmas fruit wreath to be nut free, leave out the nut pine cones (or you could make pine cone shaped cookies with the excess gingerbread.) Either way, you'll want to give this is delicious, healthy and festive holiday edible wreath a try. You won't be disappointed!
  • Gingerbread cookie recipe: you can use any recipe you like or use a gingerbread cookie mix (affiliate link) or substitute a sugar cookie mix (affiliate link)

🍽 Equipment

You are going to need a pizza pan for this recipe. I recommend you use a perforated pizza pan (affiliate link). I would also suggest using a double-sided rolling pin (affiliate link) as it makes rolling it out on the pan so much easier!

🔪 Instructions (baking and assembly)

This edible Christmas wreath is easier to put together than you may think!

  1. Roll the dough out to ¼ inch thickness directly onto pizza pan (it is easier than trying to transfer the dough after it's rolled out).
  2. Then trim around the edges of the pizza pan.
  3. Use the rim of a bowl (or anything round that is approximately 4-5 inches across) to cut out the centre of the gingerbread wreath. Remove excess dough  * you can use it to cut into shapes for cookies, as desired.
  4. Bake at 350 degrees F/175 degrees C for 12- 15 minutes or until golden brown.
  5. Then gently lift around edges, with a pie lifter (or similar utensil), while it's still warm, so it will be easier to remove from the pan.Transfer by sliding onto large cooling rack. If you don't have a large cooling rack that will accommodate this size of cookie, then leave it on the pan until completely cooled. When completely cooled, transfer to large (14 inch) cardboard cake tray, large flat platter or cake platter.
  6. Spread all the chocolate cream cheese evenly over the gingerbread cookie wreath, using a butter knife.
  7. Add kiwi fruit slices over the chocolate cream cheese.
  8. Add grapes and maraschino cherries to wreath. *Be sure to pat the cherries dry with a paper towel before placing on wreath.
  9. Place raspberries on 2 wooden skewers and lay on top of wreath at the bottom. Poke the top, sharp end of the skewer into the fruit at the top so it will stay in place. Then arrange remaining berries in a circle on each side to look like a bow.

*See recipe card for complete instructions

collage of 9 photos of steps showing how to bake and assemble a gingerbread fruit wreath

🎥 Video

Video: How to peel a kiwi

💭 Top tip

When completely cooled, transfer to large (14 inch) cardboard cake tray, large flat platter or cake platter, as it's easier to decorate.

Gingerbread Edible Christmas Wreath with fruit and nuts, on brown wooden surface with powdered sugar sprinkles

👪 Serving Size

This gingerbread wreath is a made on one 12' pizza pan (the the middle cut out), but serves 16. 

🌡️Storage

  • This Christmas wreath is best made fresh. However, if you want to make it in advance, store the sliced fruit, pecan pine cones, cookie and cream cheese separately and assemble just prior to serving. The cookie should be stored at room temperature, but the pine cones, cream cheese and fruit should be refrigerated.
  • Leftovers can be stored, in a fridge, in an airtight container, for up to 2 days.

So go ahead and indulge with this Edible Christmas wreath over the festive season because you won't break your WW bank doing it! It's perfect for your holiday party. And most importantly, remember...

It's not what you eat between Christmas and New Year's that matters as much as what you eat between New Year's and Christmas!

Merry Christmas!

⭐ Reviews

Did you make this edible holiday fruit wreath recipe? Please RATE THE RECIPE below!

Please SUBSCRIBE  (get my FREE E-cookbook) and be sure to FOLLOW ME on FACEBOOK, TWITTER, INSTAGRAM and PINTEREST!

gingerbread fruit wreath on a white cardboard cake platter on a brown faux wooden surface
Food Meandering Logo

📋 Gingerbread Christmas Fruit Wreath

This healthy holiday gingerbread fruit and nut edible Christmas fruit wreath is a tasty gingerbread cookie layered with chocolate cream cheese, lots of fresh fruit and nuts and makes a wonderful edible holiday gift! It's also Weight Watchers friendly!
5 from 2 votes
Print Pin Rate
Course: Dessert, Snack
Cuisine: North American
Keyword: christmas, edible gift, gingerbread, wreath
Special Diet: Vegetarian, Weight Watchers
Servings: 16 people
Calories: 417kcal
Author: Terri Gilson
Prep Time: 1 hour
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
Prevent your screen from going dark

Ingredients

Wreath:

  • 1 batch of your favourite gingerbread recipe see mine below (or use a cookie mix if in a hurry)
  • 1 cup light or non-fat chocolate cream cheese   * or make your own- it's easy! (see recipe in NOTES)

Fruit and nut decorations:

  • 8 green grapes (sprayed with gold edible spray- optional)
  • 12- 14 kiwis
  • ¾ cup maraschino cherries
  • 2 cups fresh raspberries

Pecan pine cones:

  • 1 - 1 ½   cups pecan halves
  • ¼ 340g/12 oz pkg chocolate candy melts or use baker's chocolate
  • 4 tootsie rolls

Gingerbread Recipe: from the cookbook "Gingerbread: Things to Make and Bake"

  • 3 cup flour I live in a very dry climate - you many need to use another ¼ to ⅓ cup of flour if you live in humid climate
  • ½ tablespoon cinnamon
  • ¾ teaspoon ginger
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • ¾ cups light corn syrup
  • ½ cup + 2 tablespoon brown sugar
  • ½ cup margarine
  • ¼ teaspoon baking powder

Garnish:

  • icing /powdered sugar
US Customary - Metric

Instructions

Gingerbread cookie wreath:

    Gingerbread cookie mix: (you can make this homemade gingerbread, use your own or a package mix)

    • *If using a package gingerbread cookie mix, prepare as per package instructions then skip down to 'wreath' instructions (Note: it may not be as strong as the homemade one I recommend)
    • Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees Celcius)
    • Spray a 12 inch round pizza pan with non- stick cooking spray.
    • Stir the dry ingredients together in a large bowl and set aside.
    • Combine light corn syrup, light brown sugar and margarine in a 2 quart saucepan. Stir constantly over medium heat  on stove top until margarine is melted.
    • Stir the liquid into the flour mixture. Mix well with a spoon, then using hands as dough becomes stiff.
      gingerbread cookie dough mixed, in a bowl
    • Chill the dough until it is easy to handle (10 – 15 minutes approximately)

    Wreath:

    • Roll the dough out to ¼ inch thickness directly onto pizza pan (it is easier than trying to transfer the dough after it's rolled out).
      gingerbread dough being rolled out onto pizza pan
    • Then trim around the edges of the pizza pan with a sharp knife.
      trimming gingerbread around edges of a pizza pan with knife
    • Use the rim of a bowl (or anything round that is approximately 4-5 inches across) to cut out the center of the wreath (to get the wreath shape).
      bowl turned over onto gingerbread dough to use as a shape to cut a hole in the middle
    • Remove excess dough  * you can use it to cut into shapes for cookies, as desired.
      pizza pan with gingerbread dough and hole cut out of the middle
    • Bake for 12- 15 minutes or until golden brown. *Check for air bubbles during baking and poke them with a toothpick.
      gingerbread dough with a toothpick being poked into it to pop the air bubble
    • Remove and cool  for 5 minutes. Then gently lift around edges, with a pie lifter (or similar utensil), while it's still warm, so it will be easier to remove from the pan.
    • Transfer by sliding onto large cooling rack. If you don't have a large cooling rack that will accommodate this size of cookie, then leave it on the pan until completely cooled. When completely cooled, transfer to large (14 inch) cardboard cake tray, large flat platter or cake platter.
      gingerbread cookie wreath on large cooling rack

    Assembly:

    • Spread all the chocolate cream cheese evenly over the gingerbread cookie wreath, using a butter knife.
      chocolate cream cheese spread on gingerbread cookie
    • Slice kiwis (see NOTES for video on best way to peel kiwis - it works! ) and diagonally layer
      kiwis cut and layered on top of gingerbread cookie with chocolate cream cheese

    Make the pecan pine cones (you can also do this in advance):

    • Cut large tootsie rolls in half. Microwave tootsie roll on ½ power in microwave for about 20 seconds or until it is a little soft and therefore pliable. Lay tootsie roll on parchment paper.
      tootsie rolls cut in half
    • Melt chocolate melts in microwave on ½ power (5 power on my microwave) in 30 second intervals for up to 1 ½ - 2 minutes, stirring each time, until melted. * do not get any water near utensils, bowls etc as the chocolate will seize. 
    • Rub some chocolate candy melt on the  tootsie roll and add a layer of pecans. Allow to harden for about 5 minutes. Rub a little chocolate melt on each pecan halves as you layer pecans to  build the pine cone upwards and outwards. 
    • You will likely need to stop and allow the 2nd layer to harden before putting on the final layer. You only have to worry about doing one side, as they are laying flat ( 2D.) When pine cones are completely hardened, transfer to wreath and place them equal distance from one another.
      pecan chocolate pine cones being made on parchment paper
    • Add pine cones to wreath.
      pine cones added to kiwis on wreath
    • Spray with edible gold spray ,if desired, then allow a few minutes to dry before adding
      grapes sprayed with gold spray on parchment paper
    • Add grapes and maraschino cherries to wreath. *Be sure to pat the cherries dry with a paper towel before placing on wreath.

    Make raspberry bow:

    • Poke raspberries through 2 wooden skewers to make the bottom of the bow.
      raspberries being added onto wooden skewer
    • Place raspberries on 2 wooden skewers and lay on top of wreath at the bottom (see photo). Poke the top, sharp end of the skewer into the fruit at the top so it will stay in place.
      raspberries on skewers poked into wreath
    • Then arrange remaining berries in a circle on each side to look like a bow.
      raspberries placed in circle to look like bow

    Garnish:

    • Sprinkle with powdered sugar/icing sugar, then slice, serve and enjoy!
      Edible Christmas Wreath made of gingerbread, fruits and nuts on a brown wooden surface

    Notes

    🎥 Video
    Video: How to peel a kiwi
    ***NOTE: I calculated this recipe using the WW app, as my nutritional calculator on my blog does not account for 0 point foods.
    Nutrition Facts
    📋 Gingerbread Christmas Fruit Wreath
    Amount Per Serving
    Calories 417 Calories from Fat 162
    % Daily Value*
    Fat 18g28%
    Saturated Fat 2g13%
    Cholesterol 1mg0%
    Sodium 125mg5%
    Potassium 596mg17%
    Carbohydrates 63g21%
    Fiber 8g33%
    Sugar 33g37%
    Protein 6g12%
    Vitamin A 401IU8%
    Vitamin C 141mg171%
    Calcium 88mg9%
    Iron 2mg11%
    * Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 417kcal (21%) | Carbohydrates: 63g (21%) | Protein: 6g (12%) | Fat: 18g (28%) | Saturated Fat: 2g (13%) | Cholesterol: 1mg | Sodium: 125mg (5%) | Potassium: 596mg (17%) | Fiber: 8g (33%) | Sugar: 33g (37%) | Vitamin A: 401IU (8%) | Vitamin C: 141mg (171%) | Calcium: 88mg (9%) | Iron: 2mg (11%)
    Did you make this recipe? Please leave a star rating and review below!
    Rate this Recipe

    📋More Gingerbread Recipes!

    • Gingerbread Pudding Pancakes (no molasses) with Cranberry Compote
    • Gingerbread Snowball Cookies
    • Raspberry Gingerbread Smoothie
    • Cranberry Gingerbread Stovetop Rice Pudding (Gluten-free)
    • NO CHILL Gingerbread Cookies
    • Old Fashioned Gingerbread Cake with Blueberry Cookie Butter Filling
    • Gingerbread Yule Log Cookies
    • Strawberry Gingerbread Pupcakes: Healthy Cupcakes for Breakfast!
    • Gingerbread Lime Bars
    • Blueberry Gingerbread Loaf with Fresh Lime Glaze

    More Christmas Recipes

    • Whole No bake Baileys cheesecake on a white cake platter with a bottle of baileys in the background
      No Bake Baileys Cheesecake
    • 4 date squares piled up on a piece of parchment paper with a blue flowered oven mitt in the background
      Date Slice (Matrimonial Cake)
    • whole black forest yule log cake on a white platter with tinsel and red tree decorations in background
      Black Forest Yule Log Cake
    • 8 white chocolate raspberry cookies on a white plate
      White Chocolate Raspberry Cookies

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Sue Slaght

      November 18, 2016 at 9:59 am

      I think this is something I could try. Perhaps baking the gingerbread ahead and freezing it would help me. Also I might just skip the pecan pine cones. That's me always looking for the easy way. 🙂

      Reply
      • Food Meanderings

        November 18, 2016 at 10:03 am

        Yes, this gingerbread freezes really well, Sue! You could also buy Betty Crocker's gingerbread cookie mix (it's out this time of year) and use that. Although the homemade doesn't take much longer. And yes, skip the pine cones if you'd like, I just like the way they look 🙂

        Reply
        • Sue Slaght

          November 18, 2016 at 10:21 am

          Oh I had not thought of a mix! 🙂

          Reply
          • Food Meanderings

            November 18, 2016 at 10:26 am

            Yes, I often use it for large amounts (like girl guide groups) etc...

            Reply
    2. foodinbooks

      November 18, 2016 at 10:17 am

      How beautiful and festive! Perfect for the holidays.

      Reply
      • Food Meanderings

        November 18, 2016 at 10:25 am

        Thank you!

        Reply
    3. Julia

      November 18, 2016 at 11:28 am

      This wreath looks amazingly festive! Such a unique idea! And I love chocolate cream cheese! It's like eating chocolate cheesecake but without making it 🙂

      Reply
      • Food Meanderings

        November 18, 2016 at 11:41 am

        Thanks! I agree with you about eating chocolate cheesecake without making it! 🙂

        Reply
    4. mylifeasishan

      November 18, 2016 at 5:12 pm

      looks great!

      Reply
      • Food Meanderings

        November 18, 2016 at 7:15 pm

        Thank you

        Reply
    5. thefoodblognet

      November 18, 2016 at 9:06 pm

      Such a pretty wreath, and YUM, chocolate cream cheese 🙂

      Reply
      • Food Meanderings

        November 19, 2016 at 7:21 am

        Thanks Colleen! Yes, I happened to have chocolate cream cheese on the brain because I was working on Philadelphia competition around that time. It is so tasty!

        Reply
    6. lorichoma

      November 18, 2016 at 9:58 pm

      I couldn't resist pinning this! That's probably as far as I will get with it! You are an inspiration!

      Reply
      • Food Meanderings

        November 19, 2016 at 7:24 am

        Thank you, Lori- that is such a nice thing to say:) And thanks for pinning! It's really quite easy to make (you can use Betty Crocker gingerbread mix and even skip the pine cones like Sue plans to do)!

        Reply
    7. Cassie @ Crumb Kitchen

      November 20, 2016 at 6:38 am

      This looks divine! What a spread. I'm sure if I brought this to my next holiday party people would go crazy. 😉

      Reply
      • Food Meanderings

        November 20, 2016 at 7:11 am

        Thank you, Cassie!

        Reply
    8. thewineloverskitchen

      November 28, 2016 at 6:00 pm

      This is so creative and healthy too! I can see kids loving this as well as adults!

      Reply
      • Food Meanderings

        November 28, 2016 at 6:37 pm

        Thank you!

        Reply
    9. SusanB

      December 08, 2020 at 9:50 am

      Saw this over at FoodYub and just had to come and tell you how great this pretty wreath is! It's gonna be quite the great on the Christmas table.

      Reply
      • Terri Gilson

        December 08, 2020 at 4:24 pm

        Thanks so much! I really appreciate you stopping by to comment. Merry Christmas!

        Reply

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    I'm Terri, a passionate home cook and baker, an award-winning recipe developer and a busy working mom that is trying to eat healthy and fit everything into not enough hours in a day! My mission is to share not only my recipes, cooking hacks and tips with you, but also my secrets to successful weight maintenance.

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