Description
A festive and crowd-friendly appetizer perfect for holiday gatherings, combining cream cheese with savory antipasto ingredients for a creamy, spreadable delight.
Ingredients
For the cream cheese log
- 16 ounces cream cheese (Soften before mixing)
- 2 tablespoons sour cream (Optional for easier spreading)
- 1 cup roasted red peppers, finely chopped (Sweet and smoky flavor)
- 1 cup green and black olives, chopped (Briny flavor)
- 1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped (Adds sweetness and tartness)
- 1/2 cup artichoke hearts, chopped (Tender and mild)
- 1/2 cup parmesan cheese, grated (Salty, nutty flavor)
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning (For aromatic flavor)
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder (Adds depth)
For the coating
- 1/2 cup chopped pistachios or walnuts (Adds crunch)
- 1/2 cup crushed crackers (For coating the log)
Instructions
Preparation
- In a bowl, beat the softened cream cheese with sour cream or mayo until smooth.
- Fold in the chopped olives, roasted red peppers, sun-dried tomatoes, artichokes, parmesan, Italian seasoning, and garlic powder. Taste and adjust salt if necessary.
- Scrape the mixture onto plastic wrap, roll it into a log shape, and twist the ends of the wrap. Chill for 30 to 60 minutes.
- In a separate bowl, mix the chopped nuts with crushed crackers. Spread this mixture on a tray.
- Unwrap the chilled log and roll it in the nut-cracker mixture, pressing gently to ensure it sticks. If necessary, brush a thin layer of olive oil on the outside to help the crumbs adhere.
- Wrap and refrigerate until serving time. Slice or spread with a small knife.
Notes
Can be made up to 48 hours in advance. Chill uncoated log and roll in the coating just before serving to keep it crunchy. Leftovers can be spread on bagels or used in pinwheels.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Appetizer, Snack
- Cuisine: Italian