Name: Cranberry Pecan Cheese Log Recipe - Festive & Easy
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 3 h 15 min
Yield: 1 cheese log
Ingredients: 250g / 9oz full fat Cream Cheese, softened; 150g / 5.3oz Dried Cranberries, roughly diced; 125g / 4.4oz Pecans, roughly diced; 100g / 3.5oz Mature/Sharp Cheddar Cheese, grated; 4 tablespoons finely diced Chives

Cranberry Pecan Cheese Log is more than just an appetizer; it’s a holiday showstopper, a guaranteed crowd-pleaser, and frankly, one of my all-time favorite creations. Have you ever experienced that moment when you bring a dish to a gathering, and it vanishes within minutes? This is that dish. People rave about it because it strikes the perfect balance: the creamy, tangy cheese base is wonderfully offset by the sweet and tart burst of cranberries, all brought together with the satisfying crunch of toasted pecans. It’s a symphony of textures and flavors that dances on your palate. What truly makes this Cranberry Pecan Cheese Log special is its incredible versatility. Serve it as a sophisticated spread with artisanal crackers, alongside a vibrant fruit platter, or even as a sweet and savory component to your holiday charcuterie board. Its vibrant colors also make it a visually stunning addition to any festive table, promising deliciousness before anyone even takes a bite.

Ingredients:

250g / 9oz full fat Cream Cheese, softened
150g / 5.3oz Dried Cranberries, roughly diced
125g / 4.4oz Pecans, roughly diced
100g / 3.5oz Mature/Sharp Cheddar Cheese, grated
4 tablespoons finely diced Chives

Preparing the Cranberry Pecan Cheese Log

Mixing the Cheese Base

The foundation of our Cranberry Pecan Cheese Log is, of course, the cream cheese. For the best texture and ease of mixing, ensure your cream cheese is at room temperature. This means taking it out of the refrigerator about an hour before you plan to start. Cold cream cheese can be lumpy and difficult to incorporate smoothly, which will affect the final appearance and consistency of your cheese log. In a medium-sized mixing bowl, add the softened cream cheese. To this, we’ll introduce the grated mature cheddar cheese. The sharpness of the cheddar adds a wonderful depth of flavor that beautifully complements the sweetness of the cranberries and the nuttiness of the pecans. Use a good quality mature or sharp cheddar for the best results; a milder cheddar might get a little lost in the other strong flavors. Gently begin extract to mix the cream cheese and cheddar cheese together. You can use a spatula or a wooden spoon for this. The goal at this stage is to combine them into a relatively uniform base. Don’t worry about making it perfectly smooth just yet, as the other ingredients will help with that.

Incorporating the Flavorful Add-ins

Now comes the fun part where we introduce the key elements that give our Cranberry Pecan Cheese Log its distinct character: the dried cranberries and the pecans. Add the roughly diced dried cranberries to the cream cheese and cheddar mixture. These little jewels of tartness will provide bursts of sweetness and a pleasing chegrape juicess. Make sure they are diced small enough so they are distributed evenly throughout the log, rather than being large clumps. Next, add the roughly diced pecans. Toasting your pecans beforehand can elevate their flavor significantly. To toast them, spread them on a baking sheet and bake at 350°F (175°C) for about 8-10 minutes, or until fragrant. Let them cool completely before dicing and adding them. The toasted pecans will add a delightful crunch and a rich, nutty aroma. Use a spatula or your hands to gently fold these ingredients into the cheese mixture. Be careful not to overmix at this stage; we want to ensure the cranberries and pecans are evenly distributed without mushing them.

Adding Freshness with Chives

To brighten up our Cranberry Pecan Cheese Log and add a subtle oniony note, we’ll incorporate finely diced chives. The chives provide a lovely visual contrast with their vibrant green color against the creamy orange and red of the cheese and cranberries. Ensure the chives are finely diced to avoid large, stringy pieces. Add the finely diced chives to the bowl with the cheese, cranberry, and pecan mixture. Gently fold them in until they are evenly dispersed. This is the final mixing stage before shaping the log. The combination of the tart cranberries, crunchy pecans, sharp cheddar, and fresh chives creates a complex and addictive flavor profile.

Shaping and Chilling the Cheese Log

Once all the ingredients are thoroughly combined, it’s time to shape the cheese log. Lay out a piece of plastic wrap on a clean, flat surface. Spoon the entire mixture onto the center of the plastic wrap. Using your hands, gently shape the mixture into a log. You can aim for a rustic, free-form log or a more uniform cylinder, depending on your preference. Once you have achieved your desired shape, carefully wrap the plastic wrap around the log, tucking in the ends to create a tight seal. This helps the log maintain its shape as it chills. Place the wrapped cheese log in the refrigerator for at least 2-3 hours, or preferably overnight. This chilling period is crucial. It allows the flavors to meld together and, most importantly, firms up the cream cheese mixture, making it much easier to slice and serve. A well-chilled cheese log will hold its shape beautifully when presented.

Serving Your Cranberry Pecan Cheese Log

When you’re ready to serve your magnificent Cranberry Pecan Cheese Log, unwrap it from the plastic wrap. You can then re-roll it in some extra chopped pecans or even a mix of chopped dried cranberries and chives for an attractive outer coating, if desired. To serve, use a sharp knife to slice the log into rounds. This cheese log is incredibly versatile and pairs wonderfully with a variety of accompaniments. Serve it with an assortment of crackers – water crackers, whole wheat crackers, or even toasted baguette slices work exceptionally well. For a sweet and savory contrast, consider serving it alongside fresh apple slices, pear slices, or even a dollop of fig jam. It also makes a fantastic addition to a cheese board, offering a unique and festive flavor that guests are sure to rave about. Enjoy the delightful combination of creamy, tart, nutty, and herbaceous notes in every bite.

Conclusion:

There you have it – the ultimate guide to creating a show-stopping Cranberry Pecan Cheese Log! This recipe is wonderfully versatile and guaranteed to impress at any gathering. Its delightful blend of creamy cheese, tart cranberries, and crunchy pecans creates a harmonious symphony of flavors and textures that will have your guests reaching for more.

For serving suggestions, think beyond just crackers. This cheese log pairs beautifully with thinly sliced baguette, apple slices, or even endive leaves for an elegant appetizer. You can also crum extractble a bit of it over a festive green salad for an unexpected burst of flavor.

Don’t be afraid to experiment with variations! If you’re not a fan of pecans, try walnuts or almonds. For a touch of sweetness, a drizzle of honey or a sprinkle of brown sugar on top before chilling can be a game-changer. You could even incorporate a hint of orange zest into the cheese mixture for a brighter profile.

I encourage you to give this Cranberry Pecan Cheese Log a try. It’s a straightforward recipe that yields incredibly rewarding results. Get creative, have fun in the kitchen, and savor the deliciousness!

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I make the Cranberry Pecan Cheese Log ahead of time?

Absolutely! In fact, making it ahead of time is highly recommended. Chilling allows the flavors to meld beautifully and makes the log easier to slice and serve. It can be made up to 2-3 days in advance and stored, tightly wrapped, in the refrigerator.

What kind of cheese is best for this recipe?

While cream cheese is the standard and works wonderfully, you can also experiment with a blend. A combination of cream cheese and goat cheese, or even a bit of softened Brie, can add interesting depth and creaminess. Ensure any cheese you use is fully softened for easy mixing.