Festive Holiday Antipasto Cream Cheese Log Recipe is one of those delightful, crowd-pleasing appetizers that instantly brings excitement to your holiday table. It’s creamy, tangy, and packed with a festive medley of olives, peppers, and fresh herbs that pop with flavor. You’ll find this recipe perfect for any holiday gathering—whether it’s a cozy family dinner, a cheerful office party, or a festive potluck with friends. I love pulling this out because it’s easy to make ahead, visually appealing, and everyone really appreciates the blend of savory, creamy, and zesty bites.
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What Makes This So Good
This Festive Holiday Antipasto Cream Cheese Log Recipe hits all the right notes with its creamy texture and bold, tangy flavors coming from the mix of olives and peppers balanced by fresh herbs. It’s one of those appetizers that feels fancy without complicated steps.
- Big Flavor, Minimal Fuss: Mixing softened cream cheese with savory chopped antipasto ingredients means you get a zesty appetizer ready in a snap.
- Family-Friendly: Everyone from kids to adults loves the creamy texture, plus you can adjust the herbs and peppers to your taste.
- Simple Ingredients: Most items you likely have in your pantry or fridge, with room to customize based on what you love or have on hand.
- Works Any Night: Whether it’s holiday season or simply an easy weeknight snack, this log shines bright on any serving board.
Ingredient Guide
Choosing the right ingredients for your Festive Holiday Antipasto Cream Cheese Log Recipe makes a huge difference in flavor and texture. Here’s how I pick and prep mine, but feel free to tailor it.
- Cream Cheese: Use full-fat, softened cream cheese for that luxuriously creamy and spreadable base; I let it soften at room temp to make mixing smooth.
- Mixed Olives: Chopped green and black olives add a salty briny punch. Go for pitted and good-quality olives to skip the bitterness of pits or preservatives.
- Peppadew or Roasted Red Peppers: These bring a sweet and tangy note—make sure you drain jarred peppers well to avoid sogginess.
- Shredded Mozzarella or Provolone: Adds mild melty cheese flavor without overpowering; shredded is easiest to fold in evenly.
- Fresh Herbs (Parsley & Rosemary): Brighten the whole log with finely chopped parsley and minced rosemary, plus save a little rosemary sprigs for an attractive garnish.
- Garlic (Optional): Just a small clove minced finely if you love that subtle savory hint—too much can overpower and clash here.
- Salt & Pepper: Essential seasoning to tie everything together; add gradually, then taste.
Quick Reminder: Full measurements and step-by-step instructions await you in the recipe card further down. I’ve got you covered for perfect results!
How to Make Festive Holiday Antipasto Cream Cheese Log Recipe
Step 1 — Prep & Ready
Start by letting your cream cheese sit out at room temperature for about 30 minutes so it softens fully—that gentle softness makes mixing so much easier and gives you a silky final log. While you wait, chop your olives, peppers, cheese, and parsley into evenly sized pieces. I find reserving a bit of each of these for garnish adds that extra wow factor later. If you’re using garlic, mince it finely so it blends nicely without large chunks. Grab your plastic wrap too; you’ll need it to shape the log perfectly.
Step 2 — Cook with Confidence
This recipe doesn’t require cooking, which is one of the reasons I adore it for last-minute entertaining. You simply fold all your chopped ingredients—olives, peppers, cheese, herbs, and optional garlic—into the softened cream cheese. Add salt and pepper gradually, tasting as you go, to make sure flavors are balanced. When everything’s combined, scoop the mixture onto a sheet of plastic wrap and gently shape into a tidy log. Wrap it tightly to keep the shape. Pop it in the fridge for at least 1 hour so it firms up nicely and the flavors meld into each other.
Step 3 — Finish & Serve
Once chilled and firm, unwrap your cream cheese log and place it on a beautiful serving board. It’s the moment I love, where you get to decorate! Use your reserved chopped olives, peppers, cheese, parsley, and sprigs of fresh rosemary to create a festive, inviting look. The contrast of colors and textures really pops here. Serve alongside crostini, crisp crackers, or fresh vegetables for dipping. You’ll notice how the log’s creamy tangy core complements crunchy dippers, making it a standout starter everyone will talk about.
Extra Helpful Tips
I've made this Festive Holiday Antipasto Cream Cheese Log Recipe countless times, and a few tips really help you get it just right every time.
- Watch for This Sign: If your cream cheese feels too cold or stiff, the log won’t blend well and can crack when shaping.
- Temperature Trick: If you forgot to soften cream cheese ahead, microwave it for 10 seconds at a time—just until soft, never melted.
- Prep-Ahead Option: You can mix everything and shape the log up to 24 hours before serving; it actually tastes better when flavors marry overnight.
- Avoid This Common Mistake: Don’t skimp on chopping olives and peppers finely—they blend better and make every bite balanced.
Serve & Enjoy
Easy Enhancements
Want to give your Festive Holiday Antipasto Cream Cheese Log Recipe a little twist? Sprinkle some crushed red pepper flakes for a gentle heat boost or add chopped sun-dried tomatoes for a deeper, tangy sweetness. A drizzle of good-quality balsamic glaze right before serving adds a glossy, sweet tang that pairs beautifully. Fresh basil or thyme can be swapped in for parsley and rosemary for a herby variation that’s equally delightful.
Tasty Pairings
This log shines with crunchy crostini, rosemary crackers, or an assortment of fresh veggies like bell pepper strips, cucumber coins, and snap peas. For drinks, a crisp white wine such as Sauvignon Blanc or a light, bubbly Prosecco pairs perfectly to cut through the creaminess and complement the briny olives.
Quick Plating Tips
Presentation is so easy but makes a big impact! Place the log on a rustic wooden board or pretty platter, surround it with your dippers, and scatter a few extra sprigs of fresh rosemary or parsley around the edges. A small bowl with extra olives or peppers adds a hospitable touch. Bright, contrasting colors draw your guests’ eyes and invite them to dive in.
Store, Freeze & Reheat
Fridge Storage
You can store your Festive Holiday Antipasto Cream Cheese Log Recipe wrapped tightly in plastic wrap for up to 5 days in the fridge. Just keep in mind the cream cheese will firm up more over time and the fresh herbs might lose some vibrancy, so it’s best enjoyed within the first couple of days for that fresh pop.
Freezer Friendly?
This recipe isn’t ideal for freezing because cream cheese can separate when thawed, leaving a watery texture. For best results, enjoy fresh or store in the fridge only.
Reheat Like New
This antipasto cream cheese log is best served chilled or at room temperature, so reheating isn’t recommended. If you prefer a softer texture after refrigeration, simply let it sit out for 20 minutes before serving to take the chill off and bring out all those beautiful flavors.
Festive Holiday Antipasto Cream Cheese Log Recipe FAQs
You can try plant-based cream cheese alternatives, but be aware that the texture and flavor may vary. Also, choose vegan-friendly cheese or skip that component. The herbs and olives will still create a tasty spread.
Crostini, crackers, fresh bell pepper strips, cucumber slices, and snap peas are all excellent dippers. A crisp white wine or sparkling beverage pairs nicely as well.
You can prepare and chill the log up to 24 hours ahead. In fact, the flavors deepen and blend beautifully when rested overnight.
Freezing is not recommended because the cream cheese texture can become watery upon thawing. It’s best to enjoy refrigerated leftovers within 5 days.
Final Flavor Thoughts
This Festive Holiday Antipasto Cream Cheese Log Recipe is truly a holiday classic that’s as easy as it is delicious. I encourage you to rate it five stars if you loved it, and don’t hesitate to leave a comment sharing your favorite twist—maybe you’ll add a sprinkle of toasted pine nuts or a hint of lemon zest next time? Either way, this creamy, zesty log is a winner that keeps guests coming back for more.
Print📖 Recipe
Festive Holiday Antipasto Cream Cheese Log Recipe
This Festive Holiday Antipasto Cream Cheese Log is a vibrant and flavorful appetizer perfect for holiday gatherings. Featuring a creamy base of softened cream cheese blended with chopped olives, peppadew peppers, shredded mozzarella, fresh herbs, and a touch of garlic, this easy-to-make cheese log is both visually appealing and delicious. Chill it to let the flavors meld, then garnish and serve with your favorite crostini, crackers, or fresh vegetables for a crowd-pleasing starter.
- Prep Time: 35 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 35 minutes
- Yield: 8-10 servings
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Base
- 16 oz cream cheese, softened
Mix-ins
- 1 cup mixed green and black olives, chopped
- ½ cup peppadew peppers or roasted red peppers, chopped
- ½ cup shredded mozzarella or provolone cheese
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, finely chopped
- 1 teaspoon fresh rosemary, minced (plus extra for garnish)
- 1 small garlic clove, minced (optional)
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Soften cream cheese: Let the cream cheese sit out at room temperature for 30 minutes until it becomes soft and easily workable.
- Prepare mix-ins: Chop the mixed olives, peppadew or roasted red peppers, shredded cheese, fresh parsley, and garlic if using. Reserve a small portion of each ingredient separately for garnish later.
- Combine ingredients: In a mixing bowl, thoroughly combine the softened cream cheese with the chopped olives, peppers, cheese, parsley, rosemary, garlic, salt, and black pepper until evenly incorporated.
- Shape and chill: Transfer the mixture onto a sheet of plastic wrap. Using the wrap, form the mixture into a log shape and wrap it tightly. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour to allow the flavors to meld and the log to firm up.
- Garnish and serve: After chilling, unwrap the cheese log and place it on a serving board. Decorate the surface with the reserved olives, peppers, cheese, parsley, and rosemary sprigs to create an attractive presentation.
- Serving suggestions: Serve the cheese log alongside crostini, assorted crackers, or fresh vegetable sticks for dipping.
- Storage: Store any leftovers tightly wrapped in plastic wrap in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
Notes
- Softening the cream cheese properly is key to easy mixing and a smooth texture.
- You can substitute the peppadew peppers with roasted red peppers or sweet bell peppers.
- Use either mozzarella or provolone cheese based on preference; both blend well.
- Reserve some mix-ins for garnish to make an eye-catching presentation.
- For a milder garlic flavor, omit the garlic or use roasted garlic.
- Serve chilled for best texture and flavor.
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