Description
This easy and elegant Cranberry Pistachio Cheese Log is a perfect appetizer for holiday gatherings or any special occasion. A creamy blend of goat cheese and cream cheese flavored with warm spices, honey, and herbs is rolled in a vibrant coating of chopped fresh cranberries and roasted salted pistachios. Served with a drizzle of honey and your favorite crackers, this cheese log offers a delightful combination of tart, sweet, and savory flavors with a wonderful contrast of creamy and crunchy textures.
Ingredients
Scale
Cranberry Pistachio Coating:
- 1 1/4 cups fresh cranberries
- 1 cup shelled roasted, salted pistachios
Cheese Log:
- 7–8 oz. goat cheese log or tub
- 4 oz. cream cheese, softened
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1/4 teaspoon dried rosemary
- 1/8 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 cup Cranberry Pistachio Coating mixture (reserved from below)
Garnish:
- Honey, for drizzling
Instructions
- Prepare Coating: Add fresh cranberries and roasted salted pistachios to a food processor. Pulse gently until chopped into small pieces but not pureed. Remove about 1/2 cup of this mixture and place it in a medium bowl for later use.
- Make Cheese Mixture: To the bowl with the reserved coating, add goat cheese, softened cream cheese, honey, ground ginger, ground cinnamon, salt, dried thyme, dried rosemary, and black pepper. Stir everything together thoroughly until well combined.
- Shape Cheese Log and Chill: Transfer the cheese mixture onto a large piece of plastic wrap. Mold it into a log shape, then wrap tightly in plastic wrap. Place in the freezer for 20-30 minutes to firm up slightly—soft enough to press the coating onto but firm enough to hold its shape.
- Roll in Coating: Line your counter with parchment paper. Spread the reserved cranberry-pistachio coating in a thin layer, forming a square slightly larger than the cheese log. Unwrap the log and roll it over the coating on the parchment paper, pressing gently so the coating adheres evenly to the surface.
- Serve: Refrigerate the coated cheese log until ready to serve. Remove from the fridge 15 minutes before serving to soften slightly. Just before serving, drizzle generously with honey and offer with crackers for a delicious appetizer.
Notes
- Use fresh cranberries for a tart punch and vibrant color contrast in the coating.
- Soften cream cheese at room temperature to make mixing easier.
- If you prefer milder herbs, adjust thyme and rosemary to suit your taste.
- Can be prepared a day ahead and refrigerated; just add honey drizzle before serving.
- Serve with a variety of crackers or toasted baguette slices for best texture pairing.
- To make nut-free, substitute pistachios with finely chopped seeds or omit entirely, though texture will vary.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (approx. 1/16 of log)
- Calories: 120 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 180 mg
- Fat: 9 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 5 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 4 g
- Cholesterol: 15 mg
