Easy Cranberry Pistachio Cheese Log
This Easy Cranberry Pistachio Cheese Log is a holiday appetizer rock star. It comes together in a snap and brings a pop of seasonal flavors and colors to your appetizer and small bites menu.
Easy Cranberry Pistachio Cheese Log Recipe
So, what is a cheese log? Cheese logs come in a variety of flavors and cheese combinations. It’s shaped cylindrically, hence the name. 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. How to make simple Cranberry Pistachio Cheese Log:
- Cream Cheese – Plain cream cheese plus chive and onion cream cheese.
- Shredded Cheese – Colby jack or sharp cheddar cheese.
- Seasonings – – Granulated garlic, onion powder and salt.
- Nuts – Pistachios shelled, roasted and salted.
- Cranberries – Sweetened dried cranberries.
How to Make the Best Cranberry Pistachio Cheese Log Recipe
- Ingredients you’ll need to make homemade Cranberry Pistachio Cheese Log: Plain cream cheese, chive and onion cream cheese, granulate garlic, onion powder, roasted and salted shelled pistachios, dried cranberries, salt, shredded Colby jack cheese.
- Kitchen gadgets you’ll need: A hand mixer or a stand mixer, measuring cups and spoons, cheese grater, rubber spatula or spoon and plastic wrap.
- How do you make Cranberry Pistachio Cheese Logs? First, start with softened plain cream cheese and chive and onion cream cheese. Whip it together with simple seasonings, then fold in dried cranberries and shredded cheese. Divide the mixture in half then roll in chopped pistachios and wrap tightly in plastic wrap and chill until firm. Slice and serve with an assortment of crackers.
- 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 up to 3 days in advance. Keep it tightly wrapped in plastic wrap 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.
- Store Cranberry Pistachio Chose Logs chilled in the refrigerator for up to one week.
More Easy Cheese Logs and Cheeseballs to Make
Whether you choose to shape the cheese mixture as a log, as demonstrated in this recipe or roll it all together into a pretty round cheese ball, the flavor combination has stood the test of time, it’s tried and true. The dark red cranberries and the light green hue of the pistachios blends with the festive colors of the holiday season perfectly. More easy cheeseball recipes you may also enjoy:
- This Beef and Cheddar Cheeseball is packed with flavor.
- If you’re a fan of pimento cheese you’ll love the flavor of this Peppered Herb Pimento Cheese Ball.
- Sweet and salty Pineapple Cheeseball.
- You may also enjoy this Southern Pimento Cheese for slathering on crackers, bread and celery.
- Snowman Cheese Ball from Food Network.
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Helpful Kitchen Items:
Easy Cranberry Pistachio Cheese Log
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 sweetened 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. (Yield: Two 6-8 inch Cheese Logs)
Notes
- 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.
Can fresh cranberries be used? – or would their “bitterness” change the last of the cheese log?
I wouldn’t recommend using fresh cranberries for this cheese log. You could likely adapt using whole berry cranberry sauce but, it’s really best with dried cranberries.
took this to a holiday party. It was a smashing hit and so easy to make.
How fun, thanks so much!
This is delicious. Everyone loved it.Can you freeze the 2nd log for later?
Oh great! I haven’t frozen this cheese log. Cream cheese can sometimes break down when it’s in a recipe like this one that isn’t cooked. Shredded cheese, on the other hand, freezes quite well. It may do fine, I just can’t tell you with certainty as I haven’t frozen it. If you try it, let us know how it goes.