Cranberry Pistachio Cheese Log (Printer-friendly)
Creamy tangy cheese log studded with dried cranberries and pistachios, chilled and rolled for easy party serving.
# What You'll Need:
→ Cheese Mixture
01 - 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
02 - 3.5 ounces goat cheese, softened
03 - 1 tablespoon honey
04 - 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
→ Mix-Ins
05 - 1/2 cup dried cranberries, roughly chopped
06 - 1/2 cup shelled pistachios, roughly chopped
07 - 2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh chives (optional)
→ Coating
08 - 1/4 cup dried cranberries, finely chopped
09 - 1/4 cup shelled pistachios, finely chopped
10 - 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley (optional)
# How To Make It:
01 - In a medium mixing bowl, combine cream cheese, goat cheese, honey, and black pepper. Mix with an electric mixer or spatula until the texture is smooth and uniform.
02 - Fold in 1/2 cup of chopped dried cranberries, 1/2 cup of chopped pistachios, and the chives if using. Stir until the additions are evenly distributed.
03 - Place a sheet of plastic wrap on a clean surface. Spoon the cheese mixture onto the wrap and form it into a log approximately 6 inches in length, using the wrap to help achieve an even cylindrical shape.
04 - Combine the remaining 1/4 cup each of finely chopped cranberries and pistachios with the parsley, if desired, in a shallow dish.
05 - Unwrap the formed cheese log and roll it gently in the cranberry-pistachio mixture until completely and evenly coated on all sides.
06 - Rewrap the coated cheese log in clean plastic wrap. Refrigerate for a minimum of 1 hour to allow the log to firm and the flavors to meld.
07 - Remove the cheese log from the refrigerator and let sit at room temperature for about 10 minutes before serving. Slice and present with crackers, baguette slices, or vegetable spears as desired.
# Expert Hints:
01 -
- Your guests will think you spent hours, but it's a 15-minute masterpiece in disguise.
- The balance of creamy, nutty, sweet and tangy flavors makes it a guaranteed crowd-pleaser every time.
02 -
- If the cheeses are too cold, no amount of mixing will give you that perfectly creamy texture.
- Chopping the cranberries and pistachios just before mixing keeps them vibrant and prevents sogginess in the coating.
03 -
- If you make two smaller logs instead of one, you’ll have a fresh one for later when the first disappears.
- A pinch of orange zest in the cheese brightens everything—don’t tell anyone how easy it is.