Yuletide Log Cheese Centerpiece (Printable)

Savory yule-shaped cheese log blended with herbs and nuts, adorned with edible foliage for holiday elegance.

# Ingredient list:

→ 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

# Cooking steps:

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 blended.
03 - Transfer the mixture onto plastic wrap and shape gently into a 25 cm (10 inch) log, smoothing the sides to resemble a yule log.
04 - Wrap tightly and refrigerate for at least 1 hour until firm.
05 - On a clean surface, combine chopped nuts, parsley, and rosemary. Unwrap chilled log and roll it in the nut-herb mixture, coating all sides evenly.
06 - Place the log on a serving platter. Use a fork to create bark-like texture. Garnish with pink peppercorns, edible flowers, rosemary sprigs, and cranberries to evoke winter foliage.
07 - Present with crackers, crostini, or fresh vegetable sticks as accompaniments.

# Expert advice:

01 -
  • Elegant and festive centerpiece
  • Creamy blend of tangy cheeses and fresh herbs
02 -
  • Contains milk and nuts; substitute nuts for seeds for allergies
  • For gluten-free, serve with GF crackers or vegetables
03 -
  • Use softened cheeses for easy mixing and smooth texture
  • Chill the log well to ensure it holds its shape when coated and served
Return