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This easy cheese log recipe requires just 5 ingredients! It’s the ultimate crowd pleaser and makes the perfect finger food at gatherings.
The BEST Cheese Log Recipe
A cheese log is perfect for so many different occasions. This is always one of my go-tos when I’m hosting a gathering or dinner party. Perfect to plonk in the middle of the table and let people get stuck in. Here’s what you’ll need to make the easiest (and most delicious) cheese log:
- Dried Cranberries – AKA ‘craisins’. Just roughly diced.
- Pecans – You can lightly toast these if you wish, I usually want to tuck right in so skip this step. Roughly diced again.
- Chives – These add a gorgeous burst of flavour and colour. You could sub spring onion if you prefer that flavour.
- Cream Cheese – This creates the base of the log. Cream cheese has the perfect texture; it’s creamy enough to slice but firm enough to hold shape.
- Cheddar – I recommend a nice sharp cheddar, just to cut through the creaminess of the cream cheese. This is important so don’t skip!
And that’s it! Just 5 simple ingredients.
Cranberry Pecan Cheese Log
When it comes to making the log you’ll need to split your cranberry, pecan and chive mix and fold half with the cheese and use the second half to coat the outside.
Can I use a different cheese?
Cream cheese is the perfect texture for forming into a log, so it’s what I recommend using. I have subbed out some of it with goats cheese in the past which works nicely, but only add this if you know you like the flavour. Some blue cheese also works nicely, but again I’d only sub in a little amount so you don’t go overboard.
Can I sub the cranberries?
Most dried fruits actually work great here! Raisins and dried cherries to name a couple.
Can I use different nuts?
In the past I have made this recipe with both walnuts and pistachios, both work great!
Process shots: combine pecans, cranberries and chives (photo 1), add cream cheese to second bowl (photo 2), add cheddar and half pecan mix (photo 3), combine (photo 4).
How to make a Cheese Log
When it comes to forming the shape of the log, unless your cheese mix is fairly firm, I recommend resting it in the fridge before you coat the outside.
Can I make this into a cheese ball?
Yep! You can make a classic cream cheese ball instead of a log if you prefer. I just find a log slightly more festive and easier to slice!
Process shots: lay cling film on chopping board (photo 1), add cheese mix (photo 2), form log shape and tightly wrap (photo 3), spread pecan mix (photo 4), add cheese log (photo 5), coat the outside until completely covered (photo 6).
Serving a Cheese Log
When it comes to serving the cheese log I recommend placing on some crumpled parchment paper (just so it collects any toppings that fall) then plonk on a chopping board with a knife and some crackers! I love serving with Ritz crackers, just for that extra burst of salty flavour.
If you like the sound of this recipe definitely make sure you give my a ganders!
For more similar recipes check out these beauties:
Crowd Pleasing Finger Food Recipes
- Caramelized Onion Hummus
- Sweet Potato Bites
- No Bake Nachos
- Baked Feta
- Cheesy Caprese Pull Apart Bread
Alrighty, let’s tuck into the full recipe for this easy cheese log recipe shall we?!
How to make a Cheese Log(Full Recipe & Video)
Cranberry Pecan Cheese Log
This easy cheese log recipe requires just 5 ingredients! It's the ultimate crowd pleaser and makes the perfect finger food at gatherings.
5 from 3 votes
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Servings (click & slide): 6
Course: Finger Food
Cuisine: Western
Prep Time: 15 minutes minutes
Resting Time (optional): 1 hour hour
Total Time: 15 minutes minutes
Calories per serving: 398kcal
Author: Chris Collins
Cost per serving: £1.50 / $2
Equipment:
Small Mixing Bowl
Large Mixing Bowl & Spatula
Cling Film
Sharp Knife & Chopping Board
Cheese Grater
Ingredients (check list):
- 250g / 9oz full fat Cream Cheese
- 150g / 5.3oz Dried Cranberries, roughly diced
- 125g / 4.4oz Pecans, roughly diced
- 100g / 3.5oz Mature/Sharp Cheddar Cheese, grated
- 1/4 cup / 4 tbsp finely diced Chives
Instructions:
In a small mixing bowl combine diced pecans, cranberries and chives.
In a large mixing bowl add cream cheese & cheddar, then use a spatula to combine with HALF of the pecan mix (save the rest to coat the outside).
Add the mix to a large sheet of cling film and mould into a log shape, using the cling film to tightly contain it (see video for guidance). Pop in the fridge until ready to serve. I recommend at least an hour anyway, just to firm up the cheese. If your mix is fairly firm you'll get away with skipping the resting time.
When ready to serve, spread the second half of your pecan mix on a chopping board. Unwrap the cheese log and coat all over with the pecan mix.
Serve on a board with crackers. Enjoy!
Quick 1 min demo!
Notes:
a) Can I use different nuts? - Sure! I've used walnuts and pistachios in place of the pecans before, both work great.
b) Can I use different cheese? - I recommend cream cheese as it has the perfect texture to form the log. If you wanted to add a different flavour profile you could fold in some goats cheese if you like that.
c) Can I sub the cranberries? - Any sort of dried fruit works well here! Or at least any sort of dried fruit that goes nicely with nuts. I don't recommend fresh fruit, it'll turn the log sloppy and won't hold shape.
d) Inspiration - Inspired by GimmeDelicious cranberry pecan ball!
e) Calories - whole log divided by 6 people.
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Nutrition:
Nutrition Facts
Cranberry Pecan Cheese Log
Amount Per Serving
Calories 398Calories from Fat 298
% Daily Value*
Fat 33.09g51%
Saturated Fat 12.894g64%
Trans Fat 0.222g
Polyunsaturated Fat 4.581g
Monounsaturated Fat 12.026g
Cholesterol 66mg22%
Sodium 277mg12%
Potassium 149mg4%
Carbohydrates 20.91g7%
Fiber 2.7g11%
Sugar 15.21g17%
Protein 8.58g17%
Vitamin A 773IU15%
Vitamin C 0.3mg0%
Calcium 183mg18%
Iron 0.72mg4%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Nutrition is based on the absence of salt unless stated as a measurement in the ingredients. Cost is worked out based on ingredients bought from UK supermarkets, then divided by the number of servings. In both instances these values are just for guidance. Please check out my FAQ Page for more info.
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