Yuletide Log Cheese Centerpiece (Printable Version)

A festive savory blend of cheeses, herbs, and nuts shaped into a decorative log for holiday tables.

# What You'll Need:

→ Cheese Mixture

01 - 300 g cream cheese, softened
02 - 150 g fresh goat cheese (chèvre), softened
03 - 120 g sharp cheddar cheese, finely grated
04 - 2 tbsp unsalted butter, softened
05 - 2 tbsp sour cream
06 - 2 tbsp fresh chives, finely chopped
07 - 1½ tbsp fresh parsley, finely chopped
08 - 1 tbsp fresh thyme leaves
09 - 1 garlic clove, minced
10 - ½ tsp freshly ground black pepper
11 - ½ tsp smoked paprika
12 - ½ tsp lemon zest
13 - ½ tsp salt

→ Coating & Decoration

14 - 60 g walnuts or pecans, finely chopped
15 - 2 tbsp fresh parsley, finely chopped
16 - 1 tbsp fresh rosemary leaves, finely chopped
17 - 1 tbsp pink peppercorns (optional)
18 - Edible flowers, small rosemary sprigs, or fresh cranberries for garnish
19 - Crackers, crostini, or fresh vegetable sticks for serving

# How To Make It:

01 - In a large bowl, beat together cream cheese, goat cheese, cheddar, butter, and sour cream until smooth and fluffy.
02 - Stir in chives, parsley, thyme, garlic, black pepper, smoked paprika, lemon zest, and salt until fully combined.
03 - Transfer mixture onto plastic wrap. Shape gently into a 25 cm (10 inch) log, smoothing sides to resemble a yule log.
04 - Wrap tightly and refrigerate for at least 1 hour or until firm.
05 - On a clean surface, combine chopped nuts, parsley, and rosemary. Unwrap chilled log and roll it in the nut-herb mix to coat evenly.
06 - Place log on serving platter. Use a fork to add bark texture. Decorate with pink peppercorns, edible flowers, rosemary sprigs, and cranberries to mimic winter foliage.
07 - Offer alongside crackers, crostini, or vegetable sticks.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • Elegant holiday centerpiece
  • Creamy and tangy with herbs and nuts
02 -
  • Can be made up to 2 days ahead and garnished just before serving
  • Contains milk/dairy and nuts; check for gluten if serving with crackers
03 -
  • Use softened cheeses to ensure a smooth, creamy texture
  • Allow the log to chill fully to make rolling in nuts easier and neater
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