Christmas Italian Cheese Log
This Christmas Italian cheese log is the easiest showstopper on the holiday table. Cream cheese and Parmesan get studded with sun-dried tomatoes, fresh basil, and toasted pine nuts, then rolled into a log. Just like the photo, every slice shows a beautiful mosaic of red, green, and gold. No baking. Make it days ahead.
Why You'll Love This
Festive red, green, and gold mosaic in every slice, just like the photo.
Anti-inflammatory ingredients: olive oil, tomatoes, basil, and pine nuts.
No baking. 15 minutes of hands-on time.
Make-ahead friendly — actually better after a day in the fridge.
The ultimate holiday party appetizer with crackers or crostini.
Anti-Inflammatory & Mediterranean Recipes
Christmas Italian Cheese Log
- Prep15 min
- Cook4 hrs
- Total4 hrs 15 min
- Servings12 servings
- Calories220 kcal
Ingredients
Instructions
- Toast the pine nuts in a dry skillet over medium heat 3–4 minutes until golden. Let cool, then roughly chop half of them.
- Beat the softened cream cheese and Parmesan in a large bowl until smooth.
- Fold in the sun-dried tomatoes, basil, parsley, chopped pine nuts, garlic, olive oil, Italian seasoning, pepper, and salt.
- Lay a large sheet of cling film on the counter. Spoon the mixture into the center and shape into a log about 25cm long.
- Roll it up tightly in the cling film, twisting the ends to compact it. Chill at least 4 hours, or overnight.
- Unwrap and roll the log in the reserved whole pine nuts, pressing gently so they stick. Decorate with extra basil leaves and sun-dried tomato pieces.
- Slice and serve with crackers or crostini.
Notes & Tips
- Soften the cream cheese fully. Cold cream cheese makes lumps.
- Chill overnight if you can. The flavors meld and it slices cleaner.
- Use a hot knife for neat slices. Wipe between cuts.
- Toast the pine nuts. Raw pine nuts taste flat by comparison.
- Let it sit 20 minutes at room temperature before serving so it's spreadable.
- Nutrition: Per serving (estimate):
- Nutrition: Net Carbohydrates: 4g
- Nutrition: These are estimates and will vary with exact ingredients and portion sizes.
- Fridge: keep wrapped up to 5 days. The flavor improves after day one.
- Freezer: freeze un-decorated up to 1 month. Thaw overnight in the fridge, then decorate.
Variations & serving ideas
- Different nuts: use chopped walnuts, pistachios, or almonds.
- Different herbs: try oregano, thyme, or rosemary.
- Add heat: fold in 1/2 tsp chili flakes.
- Lighter: use light cream cheese. The texture is slightly softer.
- No pine nuts: they're pricey — sunflower seeds work in a pinch.
Storage
- ideal party prep — make it 2 days before and decorate on the day.
- Transport: keep chilled in a cool bag until serving.
- The Secret to a Cheese Log That Slices Cleanly
- The secret is the chill time and the cling-film roll. Four hours minimum firms the cream cheese enough to hold a perfect round shape, but overnight is even better — the sun-dried tomatoes soften slightly and their flavor spreads through the whole log. Rolling it tight in cling film with twisted ends compacts out air pockets, so every slice is dense, neat, and shows that beautiful mosaic instead of crumbling.
Nutrition Facts
Per serving · makes 12 servings
| Nutrient | Amount per serving |
|---|---|
| Calories | 220 kcal |
| Total fat | 20 g |
| Sodium | 280 mg |
| Total carbohydrate | 5 g |
| Fibre | 1 g |
| Protein | 6 g |
Nutrition values are approximate and vary with brands and portion sizes.
Frequently asked questions
Can I make this without pine nuts?
Yes. Walnuts, pistachios, or almonds all work. For nut-free, roll the log in chopped fresh herbs or everything-bagel seasoning instead.
How far ahead can I make a cheese log?
Up to 5 days in the fridge, tightly wrapped. Decorate with fresh herbs and nuts on the day you serve it so they look their best.
What do I serve with a cheese log?
Crackers, crostini, and breadsticks are classic. It also pairs beautifully with sliced apples, grapes, and fig jam on a holiday cheese board.
More questions about this recipe
How long does it take to make Christmas Italian Cheese Log?
About 4 hours 15 minutes in total: 15 minutes of prep and 4 hours of cooking.
What ingredients do I need for Christmas Italian Cheese Log?
The key ingredients include cream cheese, parmesan, sun-dried tomatoes in oil, garlic, basil and parsley. The recipe card lists every ingredient with exact amounts.
How should I store leftovers?
Fridge: keep wrapped up to 5 days. Freezer: freeze un-decorated up to 1 month.
How many calories are in one serving?
According to the recipe's nutrition information, one serving has about 220 calories, 6 g protein, 5 g carbohydrates and 20 g fat.
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