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Making a beautiful charcuterie or cheese board throughout the holiday season is one of the best ways to entertain. Start with this Herbed Goat Cheese Log then set it out on the table with all kinds of other snackable treats and let your guests graze.

Here is some great holiday inspiration for your charcuterie board filled with all sorts of meats, cheese, briny bites, and fruits… but there is one simple yet delicious addition — this Herbed Goat Cheese Log.

Growing up, there was never a thanksgiving without a “cheese log” of some sort. yeah, yeah — I know it might now sound the most appetizing but let’s just set something straight: IT’S A LOG OF CHEESE. And everyone loves cheese.

In short, a cheese log is an appetizer that can really vary. My mom made a variation that combined cheddar cheese, cream cheese, pecans and chili powder (to name a few of the ingredients). Those were combined, rolled into a log, chilled and ready to be served when entertaining. It’s perfect to slice and serve on crackers or a crostini with a nice glass of wine. Here, I’ve combined some festive holiday ingredients like goat cheese, pecans, herbs, and cranberries to make a delicious goat cheese log.

So this holiday season, as you prepare to entertain guests, go ahead and whip up a goat cheese log a few days in advance. That way all you need to do is pop it on a platter with crackers, or you can get fancy like I did and build out a beautiful meat and cheese board.

5 from 1 vote

Herbed Goat Cheese Log

Prep: 15

Chill Time:: 30

Servings: people

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Ingredients

▢ 1 tbsp freshly minced parsley leaves
▢ 1 tbsp freshly minced basil leaves
▢ 1 tbsp freshly minced oregano leaves
▢ 2 cloves garlic minced
▢ 1 tsp lemon zest
▢ 8 ounces goat cheese softened (I leave out at room temperature for 15-20 mins)
▢ 1 tbsp honey
▢ ½ cup finely chopped roasted and salted pecan halves
▢ 1/3 cup finely chopped dried cranberries

Instructions

In a medium bowl, combine the freshly minced parsley, basil and oregano and mix to combine. Reserve about 2 teaspoons of the herb mixture and set aside.
To the medium bowl with the majority of the herbs, add the garlic, lemon zest, goat cheese, and honey and mix until well combined.
Place a piece of plastic wrap (about 14-16 inches long) on a work surface, and transfer the herby goat cheese to the center of the wrap. Bring the plastic wrap up over the cheese and mold the mixture into a log shape. Transfer to the refrigerator and chill for 30-45 minutes to allow the goat cheese to harden.
Place a sheet of parchment or wax paper on a work surface (again, about 14 inches long). Spread the chopped pecans, cranberries, and the remaining herb mixture in an even layer across the middle of the parchment paper. Unwrap the goat cheese log and roll in the nut mixture, pressing gently to coat. Be sure to coat the ends too. Once the log is coated with the nut mixture, you can shape it again as desired.
If made in advance, wrap in plastic wrap and you can for up to 7 days, or you can even freeze for up to 3 months.

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.