Delight everyone at the holiday party with a beautiful Jalapeno Cranberry Goat Cheese Log. It’s easy to make and has a great sweet-tart kick!
The Jalapeno Cranberry Goat Cheese Log is an eye-catching, show-stopping appetizer that everyone will love, from your family to your guests. Sweet, tart, and creamy with a hint of spice, this cranberry cheese log is the perfect make-ahead appetizer, made with just five simple ingredients: fresh cranberries, jalapeno, brown sugar, and tangy goat cheese.
A Holiday Gem
We’re all looking for holiday party recipes that are easy, over-the-top delicious, and don’t make us lose our minds while trying to make them, plus sixteen other dishes. That’s where an easy Cranberry Jalapeno Cheese Log comes in. It’s an absolute holiday gem of a dish! The sweetness of the cranberries and brown sugar, mixed with the tangy flavors of the goat cheese and the spice of the jalapeno, make this a sweet and savory dish that everyone devours. As an extra “no-stress” step, I make this cheese log the night before and set it on the counter to come to room temperature before serving- and try my hardest not to eat it all!
Cranberries are a must-have at holiday parties, and everyone loves them, so give them more sweet and savory appetizers like Cranberry Brie Bites and Cranberry Goat Cheese Bites!
Other Recipes to Serve with Jalapeno Cranberry Cheese Log
- Crockpot Cranberry Apple Cider is the perfect holiday party drink that everyone can enjoy and will love!
- A side of homemade Cranberry Sauce with Orange and Cinnamon can make holiday meals even more amazing!
Ingredients
Produce: To make this cranberry cheese log, you will need fresh cranberries and a jalapeno. For a spicier cheese log, pick up a few small jalapenos or one large one; otherwise, one small jalapeno adds a nice spice that isn’t overpowering. Be sure to remove the seeds and membrane before chopping the jalapeno.
Cheese: You will need a log-shaped package of goat cheese for this appetizer.
Sugar: Add a touch of sweetness to this dish with light brown sugar.
How to Make Cranberry Goat Cheese Log
STEP ONE: Toss the cranberries, de-seeded jalapeno, and brown sugar into a food processor and pulse until they form a paste.
STEP TWO: Spread the cranberry paste on a sheet of plastic wrap in a rectangle that is the same length as the goat cheese log. Place the goat cheese in the middle of the cranberry paste and roll each side over the goat cheese, pressing lightly to stick them together.
STEP THREE: Seal the cranberry cheese log in the plastic wrap and refrigerate.
STEP FOUR: When you are ready to serve the cranberry jalapeno cheese log, unwrap it and set it out on the counter to come to room temperature. Then, serve it with crackers.
Tips for Success
- Make this cranberry jalapeno cheese log up to four days ahead of time for the ultimate stress-free party!
- Jalapenos add a wonderful flavor, and when you remove the seeds and membrane, you get a lot less heat and just the great taste of jalapenos. If you’re looking for heat, try adding more jalapeno or a large jalapeno instead.
- Goat cheese is best served at room temperature, so be sure to set it out to warm up well in advance. This will also make slicing and spreading much easier!
What to serve with a cheese log?
Cranberry jalapeno cheese logs are loaded with sweet and savory flavors that are complemented by so many other nibbles! When serving this goat cheese log, be sure to include plenty of crackers and toasted bread, which are always a hit at parties. Small slices of meat and preserves are also excellent additions, allowing guests to create small yet hearty bites that are packed with flavor. Fruits, such as grapes and figs, along with nuts, are excellent accompaniments to serve with cheese logs, providing wonderful flavors and textures. Even when it’s not a holiday party, you can serve a cheese log on a charcuterie board and watch it disappear!
Can you freeze cheese logs?
Stocking up for the holiday season can make gatherings and parties so much easier, and luckily, you can also stock up on these cranberry jalapeno cheese logs! When fresh cranberries hit the shelves, you can purchase as many as you’d like and freeze them until you are ready to use them, as well as keep a few goat cheese logs in the fridge on standby. When you have time, create a few cheese logs and wrap them in a couple of extra layers of plastic wrap to freeze them for up to a month. They will need more time to thaw, so be sure to pop them in the fridge the night before and then on the counter a few hours before the party.
More Incredible Holiday Appetizers
- Onion Cranberry Pecan Cheese Ball
- Apricot, Goat Cheese, and Caramelized Onion Crostini
- Cranberry Meatballs
- Cranberry Pecan Chicken Salad Pinwheels
- Baked Brie
*This post originally posted on 12/27/2014.
Ingredients
- 1 cup fresh cranberries
- 1 small jalapeno seeds and stem removed (see note)
- 2 tablespoons light brown sugar packed
- 8 ounces goat cheese log shape
Instructions
- Add the cranberries, jalapeno, and brown sugar to the bowl of a food processor. Cover and process until a thick paste forms.
- Lay out a good-sized piece of plastic wrap. Spread the cranberry mixture into an even layer over the plastic wrap, forming a rectangle that is as long as the goat cheese and wide enough to wrap around the circumference.
- Unwrap the goat cheese and place it on the cranberry mixture. Then, use the plastic wrap to form the cranberry mixture around the cheese, allowing it to stick to the cheese. Wrap any excess plastic wrap tightly around the log, and twist the ends to seal it. Store in the refrigerator until ready to serve, at least 1 hour.
- Remove the cheese log from the fridge, unwrap it, and let it sit out at room temperature for 15-30 minutes or until room temperature. Serve with crackers for spreading.
Notes
- One small jalapeño gives this cheese log just enough kick to add some great flavor. If you want it spicier, use two small jalapeños or one large jalapeño.
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