Festive cheese log
Cheese log – not the most flattering of names, but my take on this beloved classic (from the Christmas section in Scrumptious) wont put you wrong. People go nuts over this recipe, and it’s a really economical way to serve crackers and cheese for a crowd – which can otherwise be a costly exercise!
Prep time – 25 minutes plus 3 hours setting time
Serves 16
Ingredients
500g cream cheese
200g feta
1/3 cup pistachios
1/3 cup pecans
1/3 cup hazelnuts
1 tbsp Dijon mustard
1 tsp horseradish
Zest of 1 lemon plus 1 tbsp juice
Big pinch chilli flakes
1 clove garlic, crushed
¼ tsp white pepper
¼ tsp black pepper
½ cup dried cranberries, finely chopped
½ cup dried apricots, finely chopped
2 tbsp chopped chives
2 tbsp chopped parsley
Method
Preheat the oven to 180c regular bake.
Bring the cream cheese out of the fridge and let it come to room temperature.
Add the pistachios, pecans and hazelnuts to a small roasting dish and bake in the oven for 8-10 minutes or until fragrant and turning golden. Chop to a coarse crumb (or use a food processor). Set aside.
Add the cream cheese, feta, mustard, horseradish, garlic, lemon zest and juice, chilli flakes and pepper to a mixing bowl (or a food processor) and beat with a wooden spoon to combine evenly. Stir through the cranberries, apricots, chives and parsley.
Lay a large piece of greaseproof paper on the bench and spoon the mixture out into a rough log. Fold the paper over and roll out into one or two logs – or to your desired shape and size. It might take a bit of re-rolling and shaping. Cover and chill for 30 minutes.
Scatter the chopped nuts on a clean tray. Roll and press the cheese log in the mixture to coat evenly. Wrap in clingfilm and refrigerate until needed – up to a few days as long as it’s tightly sealed. (You can also freeze it for a couple of weeks, just make sure it’s well wrapped in glad wrap and tin foil).
To serve, arrange on a platter or board with crackers and let people tuck in.
I felt like it was missing something, so I now also add chopped dried pineapple and ginger, yum made all the difference, took it to a new level. I roll and cut into smaller log chunks. Wrap in glad wrap and seal in zip lock bags or now in my food a sealer and freeze. Keeps for months and tastes amazing, positive feedback from all friends .
Hi Chelsea,
I’m going to make this for Xmas this year. Can I use dried herbs instead of fresh?
I can’t wait to try it based on the previous reviews!
Hi Chelsea could this be veganised using the feta recipe from your new book and angel food cream cheese do you think?
Will be making this for a second time tomorrow! Sadly no horseradish at home, any tips on a replacement?
OMG this is soooo delicious. I made this Christmas Eve for the nibbles on Christmas Day. Everyone raved about it and it disappeared in a flash. I served it with toasted pita bread chips, I toasted them myself. Thanks Chelsea this is a real winner and the recipe will be used time and time again. YUMMY!!!!
Making for this Xmas
What feta do you use Chelsea?
Thank u
Niece Ellen, living in Wellington was coming to celebrate Christmas in Adelaide (South Australia)
She made this and we -24 family , all loved it. Can’t wait to make it myself. Flavours were excellent.
Great! x
Made this last year and my partners requested it again, soo yummy!!
Do the nuts go soft if you freeze it? I’m keen to make stuff ahead of time for Christmas (3 small kids are not going to leave much time on the day ☺️)
If you needed to leave the dried fruit out, would you change anything else in the recipe?
This is AMAZING!! I don’t know why I put off making this for so long
Definitely a great way to feed a crowd for nibbles – FYI you will need a lot of crackers
Would you roll it in the chopped nuts before wrapping and refrigerating it.? Thanks .
I made two of these for Christmas Day. Bloody brilliant recipe! Was a massive hit, thanks Chelsea!
Made this for family christmas – I was on nibbles – and it was fabulous! Makes a huge log and feeds a crowd, will definitely be making again.
This was delicious! I accidentally added the chopped nuts to the mix but the result was still very popular. Great to keep in the fridge for impromptu guests or invites out. Will definitely make again.
Daughter made this for Xmas night. It is divine!!!!
This is so incredibly tasty! Did anyone else forget the chili?
This is so easy to prepare and tastes divinely delicious. Think it will become my “go to” party plate from now on. Thank you Chelsea for another fabulous treat!
When is the punch of chilli flakes added?
I’ve just made this… OMG it’s good!
Yum! What’s your thoughts on leaving out the horseradish? Or could you add in something else instead?
I’m definetly making this my kids are all getting home made treats this year & all of them love platter foods so this will be the star.
I’m not a feta fan nor blue cheese. Can you recommend another type of cheese I can use please?
Yum!
This sounds so delicious and no gluten ?
Sounds good, must try it ?