Easy Cranberry Pistachio Cheese Log

This Easy Cranberry Pistachio Cheese Log is what holiday starters should be. It comes together in a snap, and brings a pop of holiday flavor to your appetizer table.

What is a Cheese Log?

Cheese logs come in a variety of flavors and cheese combinations. Most often they begin with a soft spreadable cheese such as cream cheese, mascarpone cheese or goat cheese. The sky’s the limit when it comes to additions. Various seasonings, nuts, meats, veggies and semi soft cheese completes the flavor profile. They make an easy yet, delicious option for entertaining, and as a starter for special occasions.

 

Easy Cranberry Pistachio Cheese Log

Whether I shape cheese as a log, or roll the ingredients into a pretty round cheese ball, they’re a tried and true holiday tradition for my family. The dark red cranberries and the light green hue of the pistachios in these cheese logs, fit the colors of the holiday season perfectly. Other cheeseball recipes you may enjoy trying:

• Beef and Cheddar Cheeseball 
• Peppered Herb Pimento Cheese Ball
• Pineapple Cheeseball
• Snowman Cheese Ball from Food Network

Helpful Tips for Making Cheese Logs

• Roasted, salted and shelled pistachios are available in the nut section of most grocery stores, including big box stores like Target and Walmart.
• Starting with the freshest of dairy products, these cheese logs can be made 3-5 days in advance. Keep tightly wrapped and chilled.
• Allow the cheese log to soften for about 30 minutes prior to serving, and it will spread more easily.
• Optional serving idea: Honey pairs beautifully with pistachios. While I don’t recommend drizzling the entire log with honey, I like to offer it as a condiment on the side. This gives the family the option to choose if they’d like to drizzle with a touch of honey, or not, to their taste. It’s completely optional, these cheese logs are outstanding on their own.

 

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Helpful Kitchen Items: 

• Electric Hand Mixer
• Cheese Serving Board
• Rotary Cheese Grater
• Mixing Bowls

Print

Easy Cranberry Pistachio Cheese Log

Course Appetizer, Snacks

Cuisine American

Keyword easy cheese-log-recipe, easy-cranberry-pistachio-cheese-log

Prep Time 10 minutes

Chill time 8 hours

Total Time 8 hours 10 minutes

Servings 2 (6-8 inch cheese logs)

Ingredients

• 1 8 oz block plain cream cheese softened
• 1 8 oz container chive and onion cream cheese softened
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp granulated garlic or garlic powder
• 1/4 tsp onion powder
• 2 cups shredded colby jack or sharp cheddar cheese
• 1 5 oz package dried cranberries chopped
• 1 1/2 cups chopped shelled pistachios roasted and salted
• assorted crackers, crostini or pita chips for serving

Instructions

• Using an electric mixer, whip together plain cream cheese, onion and chive cream cheese, salt, garlic powder and onion powder. Whip for 1-2 minutes until fully combined and smooth.
• Using a large spatula or spoon, mix in shredded cheese and cranberries until evenly distributed.
• In the bowl, shape roughly into a log, then divide in half. On a non-stick surface roll each log in chopped pistachios to cover all sides and ends. Shape with your hands until it's cylindrical and between 6-8 inches long.
• Wrap tightly in plastic wrap, twist the ends and chill overnight.
• Allow 30 minutes at room temperature to soften just before serving with assorted flavors of crackers, crostini or pita crisps. (Rosemary flavored crackers are especially delicious with these cheese logs)
• Store leftovers chilled.

Notes

Please note: 

• Roasted, salted and shelled pistachios are available in the nut section of most grocery stores, including big box stores like Target and Walmart.
• Using fresh ingredients and stored properly, these cheese logs can be made 3-5 days in advance of serving. 
• Optional serving idea: Honey pairs beautifully with pistachios. While I don't recommend drizzling the entire log with honey, I like to offer it as a condiment on the side. This way, the family can choose if they'd like to drizzle with a touch of honey, or not, to their taste. It is completely optional, this cheese log is outstanding on it's own.  

The post Easy Cranberry Pistachio Cheese Log appeared first on melissassouthernstylekitchen.com.

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