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Cherry Cheese Log on a plate with crackers.
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Cherry Cheese Log

This cherry cheese log is a sweet and savory holiday appetizer made with simple ingredients. Perfect for holiday parties, this cherry cheese log is a must try.
Prep Time15 minutes
Chill time2 hours
Total Time2 hours 15 minutes
Course: Appetizer
Cuisine: American
Keyword: cherry cheese log
Servings: 10
Author: Heather Seeley

Ingredients

  • 16 ounce cream cheese, softened
  • ½ cup powdered sugar
  • ¼ teaspoon ginger
  • ¼ teaspoon almond extract
  • 1 tablespoon orange zest
  • 10 ounce stemless maraschino cherries, drained and chopped
  • 1 cup pecan chips or chopped pecans

Instructions

  • Soften the cream cheese before making the cheese log.
  • Drain the maraschino cherries well. Pat the cherries dry with a paper towel until completely dry. Chop the cherries.
  • In a large bowl, mix the softened cream cheese, powdered sugar, ginger, orange zest, and almond extract with an electric mixer until combined.
  • Stir the chopped cherries into the cream cheese mixture.
  • Lay out a large piece of plastic wrap on your work station. Place the cream cheese mixture in the center of the plastic wrap. Roll it up and form a log shape. Make sure to completely cover the cheese log with the plastic wrap.
  • Place the wrapped cheese log in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours.
  • Pour the chopped pecans on a large plate or baking dish.
  • Remove the plastic wrap from the cheese log. Place the log on top of the pecans. Cover the cheese log with the chopped pecans.
  • Serve immediately or cover with plastic wrap and store in the refrigerator until ready to eat.

Notes

  • Soften the cream cheese before making the cheese log. This will help prevent lumps.
  • Dry the maraschino cherries well. Drain the cherries, giving them a light rinse of water, and pat them completely dry.
  • Use fresh orange zest for the best flavor. This gives the cheese log amazing holiday flavor.
  • Roll the cheese log in the pecans before serving. This will help to keep the pecans fresh and crunchy.
  • Remove the cheese log from the refrigerator 15 minutes before serving to slightly soften the cream cheese. This makes it easier to spread.

Nutrition

Calories: 298kcal | Carbohydrates: 22g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 23g | Saturated Fat: 10g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 8g | Cholesterol: 46mg | Sodium: 144mg | Potassium: 108mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 19g | Vitamin A: 630IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 67mg | Iron: 0.4mg