Description
This elegant and easy-to-make Cranberry Cheese Log combines creamy goat cheese with the sweet and tart flavor of dried cranberries, accented by a hint of warm cinnamon. Perfect as a festive appetizer or snack, it pairs wonderfully with crunchy crackers and offers a delightful blend of textures and flavors with minimal preparation time.
Ingredients
Scale
Cheese Log
- 8 oz log of goat cheese (chèvre)
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
Toppings and Serving
- Craisins® Dried Cranberries (about a large handful)
- Crackers, to serve with
Instructions
- Prepare the Cheese: Unwrap the 8 oz goat cheese log and place it on your work surface. Sprinkle about 1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon evenly over each side of the cheese log to infuse it with warm spice.
- Soften the Cheese: If the cheese log is very cold and firm, let it sit at room temperature for a few minutes to become slightly sticky. This ensures the dried cranberries will adhere better during rolling.
- Apply the Cranberries: Pour a large handful of dried cranberries onto your work surface. Gently roll the cheese log over the dried cranberries to coat it evenly. Then, pick a few cranberries at a time and press them into any gaps or bare spots on the cheese, applying gentle pressure so they stick well.
- Serve or Store: If serving immediately, place the cranberry-coated cheese log on a serving plate alongside crackers. To store, wrap the cheese log tightly in wax paper like a tootsie roll, twisting the ends to seal. Refrigerate until ready to serve.
Notes
- Allowing the cheese to warm slightly improves cranberry adhesion.
- Use good-quality dried cranberries like Craisins® for best flavor.
- Serve with a variety of crackers for a crowd-pleasing appetizer.
- Can be prepared ahead and refrigerated for up to 3 days wrapped tightly.
- For added flavor, try sprinkling chopped nuts over the log in addition to cranberries.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/8 of cheese log with crackers
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 180mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 6g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 25mg
