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This eye-catching cheese log creates a gorgeous holiday starter that's super easy to whip up. The mix of zesty goat cheese, fruity sweetness, and crunchy nuts makes an impressive centerpiece your guests will talk about for days.
I threw this cheese log together for a Christmas Eve party when I needed something fancy but was short on time. The bright colors made me think of holiday trim, and now friends beg me to bring it whenever we get together.
- 8 oz cream cheese: let it warm up so it mixes smoothly
- 4 oz goat cheese: brings a nice tang that works against the fruit sweetness
- 1/4 cup dried cranberries: their sharp flavor cuts the rich cheese perfectly
- 1/4 cup pistachios: grab the ones without salt to better control the taste
- 1/4 cup dried figs: adds natural sweetness with fun texture from tiny seeds
- 1 teaspoon honey or maple syrup: try unfiltered honey for extra flavor depth
- Extra cranberries, pistachios, and figs for outside: makes the outside look stunning
- Crackers, fresh fruits or veggies for serving: simple water crackers work best
Easy Preparation Steps
- Mix Your Cheeses:
- Make sure both cheeses sit out until soft for chunk-free blending. In a bowl, mix cream cheese with goat cheese until totally smooth. Stir in honey or maple syrup completely. Gently fold in your chopped cranberries, pistachios, and figs just enough to spread them around - don't go overboard or it'll get too soft.
- Form Your Log:
- Lay down plastic wrap about 12 inches long on your counter. Drop the cheese mix in the middle roughly shaped like a log. Use the wrap to help mold it into a tube roughly 6 inches long and 2 inches thick. Wrap it up tight and twist the ends to keep it compact. Stick it in the fridge at least an hour, but two is better for it to firm up.
- Add The Outer Layer:
- While it's cooling, mix up some extra chopped cranberries, pistachios, and figs on a flat dish. Once firm, unwrap your log and roll it through the fruit-nut mix, lightly pushing the bits onto all sides. Use your fingertips to cover any bare spots for the prettiest look.
- Arrange And Enjoy:
- Put your finished log on a wooden board or nice plate. Surround it with different crackers, thin bread slices, apple chunks and veggie sticks. Let it warm up about 15 minutes before eating so the flavors pop and it spreads nicely.
The dried figs are what makes this special. I used them by mistake instead of dates one Christmas. Their honey-like taste and crunchy seeds added such amazing flavor that I never went back to my old recipe. Now my grandma demands this cheese log at every family party no matter what time of year.
Fantastic Do-Ahead Option
This cheese log gets tastier over time, making party prep so much easier. You can make it up to three days before your get-together and keep it wrapped in the fridge. I'd wait to add the outer fruit and nut coating until your party day so it looks fresh. The flavors blend wonderfully as it sits, letting the fig sweetness and cranberry tartness really soak into the cheese.
Switch It Up By Season
While this holiday version shows off festive red and green, you can change it up all year round. Try summer versions with dried blueberries, chopped almonds, and some lemon zest. In fall, go with chopped dried apricots, walnuts and a bit of cinnamon. Winter holidays shine with the classic cranberry-pistachio mix, and spring might feature dried cherries, pecans and orange zest. The cheese base stays the same, so it's super flexible.
Fancy Serving Ideas
Turn this simple starter into something show-stopping with nice presentation. Serve it on marble or wood with small bunches of fresh grapes tucked around the edges. Include a wide cheese knife for easy spreading. At cocktail parties, slice the cold log into thin rounds and pop them on crackers for fancy finger food guests can grab while chatting. For a wow-factor centerpiece, make three mini logs with different toppings and group them together.
Frequently Asked Questions
- → What pairs well with this cheese roll?
Team up the cheese roll with crackers, slices of fresh fruit like apples or pears, or crispy veggies like cucumber sticks or celery.
- → Can I prep this ahead of time?
Definitely! You can make and coat it the day before. Keep it wrapped in the fridge until serving.
- → Is there an alternative to goat cheese?
If goat cheese isn’t your thing, swap it for mascarpone, ricotta, or just more cream cheese for a softer taste.
- → Can I change the fruit or nuts?
For sure! Sub dried figs or cranberries with cherries, raisins, or dried apricots. Pistachios can be replaced with almonds, pecans, or walnuts.
- → How do I make it vegan?
Replace the cheeses with vegan cream cheese options, and use agave instead of honey. It'll still taste amazing!