Pistachio Cranberry Cheese Log

This Pistachio Cranberry Cheese Log is an elegant appetizer combining the creamy tang of goat cheese and cream cheese with smoky bacon. Enveloped in a festive sweet and tart pistachio cranberry coating and topped with a drizzle of honey, this cheese log is sure to impress your guests this Christmas.

Cranberries… they are more than just a side sauce for turkey dinners! In fact, they are perfect for refreshing holiday cocktails including this Cranberry Orange Bourbon Smash and a festive and fruity Mulled Cranberry Madras Cocktail with vodka.

Pistachio Cranberry Cheese Log

During the holidays, my holiday table always has a cheese log or cheese ball of some sort. I’ve made so many variations of this simple, yet timeless appetizer. From the crowd pleasing Dill Pickle Cheese Ball to a simple pimento cheese log, the variations of this easy appetizer recipes are almost as endless as the longevity of this timeless classic.

This Pistachio Cranberry Cheese Log is just a little bit different. The cranberries bring a tartness which mirrors the goat cheese while the pistachios add a touch of sweetness. Inside, the flavourful cream cheese mixture absorbs the warming flavours of ginger and cinnamon while the dried thyme offers grounding earthiness.

And… I haven’t even mentioned the bacon yet. Is there anything better than bacon to add a salty, smokiness to any dish? Tiny real bacon bits add so much flavour to this cheese log. However, if you want to make this a vegetarian appetizer, feel free to omit the bacon.

Finally, there’s a heavenly drizzle of honey to balance out the tartness. It brings this retro treat to the next level so don’t skip the honey drizzle!

What is a Cheese Log?

Like a cheese ball, a cheese log is an easy appetizer made entirely of cheese plus a few flavour additives. It contains a soft pliable cheese such as cream cheese and additional shredded cheese for flavour and stability.

The cream cheese mixture is blended or mixed with additional ingredients which flavour the entire cheese log. These same ingredients may also play a part in the exterior decoration of the simple appetizer.

A cheese log is essentially a stretched-out cheese ball. These cheesy retro appetizers are beloved for their ease of preparation and simplicity of ingredients. It’s hard to go wrong with cheese.

A Cheesy History

America’s fascination with cheese ultimately led to the pressing of the first cheese ball by dairy farmer Elisha Brown, Jr. in 1801. This mammoth 1,235 pound cheese ball was presented to president Thomas Jefferson, the ‘big cheese’ at the time. It’s quite possible that the phrase ‘go big or go home’ was also coined at this time.

From there, the cheesy aperitif seemed to disappear from food history until the first cheese ball recipe was printed in Virginia Safford’s 1944 cookbook, Food of My Friends.

However, the real heyday (and reason for its general dismissal) of this popular party food was in mid-century cuisine, along with shag carpets and avocado green appliances.

Cheese balls and their ilk do not deserve the shade they are given. Their longevity as a beloved Southern tradition is due much in part to their ease of preparation, variable nature, and frugality. After all, they are the perfect way to use up ends of cheese and other ingredients.

Ingredients for this Recipe

The beauty of a cheese log recipe is that you can use any ingredients you have on hand. It’s the type of recipe whose content is solely based upon your own personal tastes.

For example, if you prefer more savoury flavours, you can replace the cinnamon and ginger with garlic powder and Worcestershire sauce. Add some grated Italian cheese then cover it in toasted pecans and you have an entirely new cheese log. 

For this Cheese Log recipe, you’ll need:

• Goat Cheese
• Cream Cheese
• Cinnamon
• Ginger
• Thyme
• Salt
• Honey
• Cranberries
• Pistachios
• Bacon
• Orange Zest

For even mixing, ensure the goat cheese and cream cheese are soft before you start mixing them together. Do not use low fat cream cheese in this recipe.

Feel free to use fresh or dried cranberries in this recipe although I prefer dried cranberries for their extra tart flavour. They also stay on the log better due to their low moisture content.

Liquid honey works the best, but you can always warm up solid honey and drizzle it over the cheese log while it is still warm.

How to Make a Pistachio Cranberry Cheese Log

Combine the Ingredients

To make the cheese log, combine the goat cheese and cream cheese together well, then stir in ¼ cup finely chopped bacon bits, honey, ginger, cinnamon, thyme, and salt. Mix until well combined.

Next, spoon the cheese out onto a piece of plastic wrap or wax paper and press into a log. Refrigerate for 20 to 30 minutes or until it is firm enough to hold its shape but not completely hardened.

Pro tip: I highly suggest an overnight rest period to allow the flavours to develop within the cheese mixture. A cheese log is always better the next day!

Make the Topping

Place the cranberries, pistachios, bacon bits and orange zest into a food processor and pulse a few times until chunky. *Do not over process or they will become a paste! Pour cranberry mixture onto a flat plate.

Remove the cheese log from the refrigerator and press onto the chopped cranberry mixture.  Turn and continue pressing until all sides are well coated. If you are not serving it immediately, cover with a new piece of plastic wrap and store in the fridge for up to four days.

How to Serve the Cheese Log

Gently place the Pistachio Cranberry Cheese Log on a serving platter or cheese board. Arrange serving crackers all around. Finally, drizzle the entire cheese log with honey and serve.

How Long Does a Cheese Log Last?

When stored properly in the refrigerator, it can last up to a few weeks, depending on the freshness of the original ingredients. Wrap the finished cheese log tightly in plastic wrap, then wrap it a second time if you want to freeze it.

You can freeze a double wrapped cheese log for up to one month.

Hi! I’m Bernice Hill and I’ve been the sole recipe developer, photographer, and writer at Dish ‘n’ the Kitchen for the past eleven years. It is my pleasure to share easy to follow recipes that are delicious, nutritious, and approachable for the whole family.

If you make this Pistachio Cranberry Cheese Log recipe, I’d love to hear about it in the comments section or in a recipe rating. Be sure to follow me on Facebook and Pinterest for my latest recipes. Also, if you do make this recipe, please share your photos and tag me on Instagram. I hope you like this recipe!