Cranberry Pistachio Cheese Log (Print Version)
Creamy tangy cheese log with dried cranberries and pistachios, chilled and rolled for an elegant party starter.
# What You Need:
→ Cheese Mixture
01 - 8 oz cream cheese, softened
02 - 3.5 oz 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 fresh chives, finely chopped (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)
# Preparation Steps:
01 - In a medium mixing bowl, combine cream cheese, goat cheese, honey, and black pepper. Beat with an electric mixer or spatula until smooth and creamy.
02 - Gently fold in 1/2 cup chopped dried cranberries, 1/2 cup chopped pistachios, and chives if using until evenly distributed.
03 - Transfer the cheese mixture onto a piece of plastic wrap. Using the wrap, form the mixture into a log approximately 6 inches long.
04 - In a shallow dish, combine 1/4 cup chopped dried cranberries, 1/4 cup chopped pistachios, and parsley if using.
05 - Unwrap the cheese log and roll it gently in the coating mixture, pressing lightly to ensure even coverage.
06 - Wrap the coated cheese log in clean plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour to set.
07 - Remove from refrigerator 10 minutes before serving. Present with assorted crackers, sliced baguette, or vegetable sticks, as preferred.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- This recipe takes just minutes to pull together—but everyone will think you spent hours on it.
- The sweet tart bursts of cranberry and the salty crunch of pistachios make each bite unexpected.
02 -
- If the cream cheese isn’t fully softened, your mixture will turn out lumpy and impossible to spread.
- Rolling the cheese log while still soft makes the coating stick evenly, instead of crumbling off later.
03 -
- Lining up your coating on a baking tray instead of a plate makes rolling the log easy and less messy.
- Roughly chopping the cranberries instead of mincing keeps little jewels visible through each slice.