The perfect appetizer for any occasion, Cranberry Pecan Bacon Cheese Log combines the creamy texture of cream cheese with the tang sharp white cheddar, complemented by the sweetness of dried cranberries and the crunch of pecans. Then we gild the lily with a burst of savory, umami bacon for a full-flavored spread. Ideal for holiday parties, game day gatherings, or special occasions, it’s a must-try for appetizer lovers. This beautiful cream cheese spread is easy to make and will be the star of your appetizer table.
As appetizers go, there’s nothing quite as consistently decadent as a cream cheese based cracker spread. As a long time fan of appetizers-as-meals, a cheese log is a welcome sight, as it’s a flavorful and satisfying bite when spread on a cracker.
I created this recipe for the holidays, but it fits perfectly anywhere a pretty, elegant appetizer is called for. Best of all, it’s easy to make and can be prepared in advance for party day convenience.
Ingredients Notes and Substitutions
Dried cranberries: Dried cranberries, unlike their fresh counterparts, are known for their sweetness and add a lovely hint of same to any dish. Here, they complement the savory flavors of the pecans and bacon. Note that you can use other sweet dried fruits, such as golden raisins or dried cherries.
Pecans:
Pecans always go so well with cream cheese and are an easy choice here. You can buy halves or pieces, whatever’s available, and chop them finely. Can you use a different nut? Yes! In fact, this recipe is inspired by my Pistachio Cranberry Cheese Ball, so pistachios will work perfectly here. As would almonds or walnuts.
Bacon:
Bacon in appetizers provides a nice hit of salty-umami, taste-buds-awakening flavor. You can either fry up a few strips of bacon, or use bacon bits, if that’s more convenient. I’d recommend seeking out “real” bacon bits, however (they’ll be labeled as such) as the fake kind are weird imo.
Chives:
Chives are part of the onion family and are very mild, so you don’t have to worry about them overwhelming the other ingredients. Plus, they provide a pretty pop of green on the cheese log. You can also use the finely chopped dark greens of green onions, if you’re having trouble locating chives.
Sharp White Cheddar Cheese: While I appreciate the complex charms of cream cheese, sharp cheddar cheese is probably what gives this appetizer is zing. Mixed with the cream cheese, it boosts the flavor quite nicely, as only aged cheese can. I use white cheddar so that it blends with the cream cheese, but you can use orange without affecting the flavor.
Cream Cheese: Cream cheese forms the luscious base of this spread and is a must have. In other words, I wouldn’t substitute another soft cheese, such as goat cheese. While absolutely delicious in some dips, the sharp white cheddar above provides the tangy cheese flavor component on its own quite nicely.
I don’t recommend using low-fat or fat-free cream cheese. It wouldn’t be a disaster, of course, but whole-fat cream cheese has the unique ability to be both firm and silky in the same bite. Low-fat leans oddly toward dry. I also wouldn’t use whipped cream cheese because you need the log to solidify and hold its shape when chilled, for a no-mess ease of cutting and spreading.
Garlic powder, salt, and pepper: We’re going to lightly season the cream cheese so that the spread bursts with flavor in each bite.
How to Make a Cranberry Pecan Bacon Cheese Log — a Visual Guide
Here are the easy steps for creating the cheese log, along with step-by-step photos. Don’t forget to review the full recipe card below before starting, to ensure you have all of the ingredients prepared, along with details for each step, including refrigeration time.
Step 1: Cream the cheeses together
If the cream cheese is still cool and a bit stiff when you start, microwave the bar of cream cheese in short 20-second bursts in a microwave-safe bowl or plate, testing after each to check the consistency. When you can easily press a finger into the bar, you’re good.
In a medium mixing bowl, combine the cream cheese and the sharp cheddar cheese using a spatula or a wooden spoon until soft and creamy. Season with salt, pepper, and garlic powder, mixing well.
Step 2: Prepare the toppings
Making sure all of the Cranberry Pecan Bacon Cheese Log toppings are chopped small, so that they cling easily to the sides of the log. Add them all to a small bowl and stir to mix.
Add about half of the pecan mixture to the cream cheese and stir to combine.
Step 3: Form the cheese log
Spread a sheet of cling wrap out on a flat surface. Spoon the cream cheese mixture onto the center of the cling wrap, in a rough rectangle. Fold the cling wrap over the long sides of the cream cheese to cover completely, and use your hands to work it into a log about one-and-a-half inches in diameter.
Twist the ends of the cling wrap closed and place the cheese log in the refrigerator to firm up for a minimum of an hour. Cover the leftover toppings.
Step 4: Finish the cheese log
When the cheese log is firm, unwrap and discard the cling wrap. Spread the remaining toppings on a flat surface and roll the cheese log through them, pressing the pieces down lightly to ensure they adhere to the sides of the log. Use your fingers to apply bits of topping in bare spots, as well as covering the ends of the log. No need to be perfect; that’s part of its charm!
Serve immediately or refrigerate until ready to use.
Cook’s Notes
- The great thing about this appetizer — especially for the host — is that it can be made the day before. In fact, it tastes even better the next day because it gives the cream cheese extra time to meld with the seasonings.
- You can chop the toppings, grate the cheese, and measure out all of the ingredients ahead of time. The cranberries and pecans can be kept at room temp, while the bacon, chives and cheddar cheese should be refrigerated.
- You can soften the cream cheese on the counter for a half hour before using, but if you keep your house on the cold side like I do mine, it could still be too stiff to work with. A microwave makes fast work of softening cream cheese: place on a microwave-safe plate and heat on high in 20-second bursts, checking the consistency in between. When you can easily dimple the cheese with your finger, it’s ready.
- To store the leftovers, wrap in cling wrap and keep in the fridge for a few days.
- The log is most easily used by cutting off a thin slab with a knife and placing the slice atop a sturdy cracker.
A Cranberry Pecan Bacon Cheese Log is a lovely appetizer during the holidays because of its festive coloring, but also goes well with any party or gathering. From special celebrations to Super Bowl parties to board game nights in, a cheese log is always a welcome addition to the event’s good eats!
More appetizer spreads to consider:
- Pistachio Cranberry Cheese Ball
- Dried Beef Cheese Ball
- Creamy Goat Cheese Bacon and Dates Dip
- Baked Artichoke Olive Dip
Cranberry Pecan Bacon Cheese Log
Ingredients
- 8 ounce bar full fat cream cheese, softened*
- 1 cup shredded sharp white cheddar cheese
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
- 1/4 cup chopped dried cranberries
- 1/3 cup chopped pecans
- 1/4 cup chopped, crispy fried bacon (or real bacon bits)
- 2 tablespoons minced chives
Instructions
- In large bowl, stir together the softened cream cheese and cheddar cheese until the cheddar is distributed. Mix in the garlic powder and a generous pinch each of salt and black pepper. Set aside.
- In another, smaller bowl, combine the remaining ingredients.
- Add about 1/3 of the pecan mixture to the cream cheese mixture and stir well to distribute. Cover the pecan mixture and save for later.
- Place a 14″ or so piece of cling wrap on a large flat surface. Spoon the cream cheese mixture onto the cling wrap in a rough log, and lightly roll the cream cheese up in the cling wrap. Squeeze the cream cheese gently into a log shape, about 1 1/2″ in diameter (one and a half inches).
- Twist the ends closed and refrigerate the log for at least an hour to firm up. This will make it easier to add the outer coating of the pecan mixture.
- When the cream cheese log has firmed up, unroll from the cling wrap.
- Spread the pecan mixture on a flat working area and roll the cream cheese log through the mixture. Coat the log thoroughly. Pat the pecan mixture into the log to help the pieces stay put.
- Serve immediately, or return to the refrigerator. The Cheese Log can be made ahead of time, even overnight.