Description
A festive and flavorful appetizer that brings together creamy cheese, sweet pineapple, tart cranberries, and a touch of spicy pepper jelly. This colorful cheese log is the perfect blend of sweet, savory, and tangy, guaranteed to steal the show at your next holiday gathering.
Ingredients
Scale
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- ½ cup crushed pineapple, drained
- ½ cup dried cranberries, chopped
- ¼ cup green onions, chopped
- ½ cup chopped pecans
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- ¼ cup pepper jelly (plus extra for serving)
- Fresh parsley, for garnish
Instructions
- Mix the base:
In a large bowl, combine the softened cream cheese and shredded cheddar cheese. Mix until smooth and creamy. - Add the flavor boosters:
Stir in the crushed pineapple, chopped cranberries, green onions, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, pepper, and 2 tablespoons of pepper jelly. Mix until evenly blended. - Shape and chill:
Lay a large piece of plastic wrap on your counter. Spoon the cheese mixture onto the center and shape it into a log. Wrap tightly and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, or until firm. - Coat with pecans:
Once chilled, unwrap the log and roll it in the chopped pecans, pressing gently to help them stick. - Finish and serve:
Warm the remaining pepper jelly slightly and drizzle it over the top (or serve on the side as a glaze or dipping sauce). Garnish with fresh parsley and serve with crackers, pretzel crisps, or baguette slices.
Notes
- Drain the pineapple well: Extra liquid can make the cheese log too soft. Place the crushed pineapple in a fine mesh sieve and press gently with a spoon to remove as much moisture as possible.
- Soften the cream cheese properly: Let it sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes before mixing to ensure a smooth, lump-free texture.
- Use sharp cheddar for depth: The tangy sharpness balances the sweetness of pineapple and cranberries perfectly.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: No-bake, chilled
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (about 1/10 of log)
- Calories: 190
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 220 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 9 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 5 g
- Cholesterol: 35 mg
Keywords: holiday cheese log, cranberry appetizer, pineapple cream cheese log, festive cheese ball, party appetizer, pepper jelly recipe