Festive Holiday Antipasto Cream Cheese Log Recipe
This Festive Holiday Antipasto Cream Cheese Log is a flavorful, crowd-pleasing appetizer perfect for holiday gatherings. Combining creamy cheeses with savory Italian-inspired antipasto ingredients, this no-cook recipe is easy to prepare ahead, chilled to firm up, and beautifully garnished for a festive presentation that pairs perfectly with crackers, baguette slices, or vegetable sticks.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
- Yield: 12 servings 1x
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Ingredients
Scale
Dairy & Cheese
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- ½ cup shredded mozzarella
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan
- 2 Tbsp mayonnaise
Seasonings
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- ¼ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
Antipasto Mix-ins
- ¼ cup chopped pepperoni or salami
- ¼ cup chopped roasted red peppers
- 2 Tbsp chopped green olives
- 2 Tbsp chopped marinated artichoke hearts
Garnish
- Fresh basil or parsley for garnish
Instructions
- Mix the cheeses and seasonings. In a mixing bowl, beat the softened cream cheese, shredded mozzarella, grated Parmesan, mayonnaise, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper together until the mixture is smooth and well combined, creating a creamy base for the log.
- Fold in antipasto ingredients. Gently fold in the chopped pepperoni or salami, roasted red peppers, green olives, and marinated artichoke hearts until evenly distributed throughout the cheese mixture.
- Shape and chill the log. Using your hands or a spatula, shape the mixture into an 8-inch long cylinder. Wrap the log tightly in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour to allow it to firm up for easier slicing and serving.
- Unwrap and present. Before serving, carefully unwrap the chilled log and transfer it to a serving platter. This allows the beautiful texture and mix of ingredients to be showcased.
- Garnish the log. Decorate the base of the log with fresh basil or parsley leaves and sprinkle additional chopped antipasto toppings on top for a festive and colorful presentation.
- Serve with accompaniments. Present the antipasto cream cheese log alongside crackers, baguette slices, or vegetable sticks for guests to enjoy as a tasty and visually appealing appetizer.
Notes
- Use softened cream cheese for easier mixing and a smoother texture.
- Feel free to substitute pepperoni with salami or other cured meats of your choice.
- The log can be made a day ahead and stored wrapped in the refrigerator for convenience.
- For a vegetarian variation, omit pepperoni and increase the amount of roasted vegetables or olives.
- If you prefer a firmer texture, chill the log for longer than 1 hour.
- Adjust seasoning to taste, especially salt and pepper, depending on the saltiness of the antipasto ingredients.
Keywords: holiday appetizer, antipasto, cream cheese log, party appetizer, no-cook appetizer
