Description

This Festive Holiday Cream Cheese Antipasto Log is a vibrant and flavorful appetizer perfect for holiday gatherings. Cream cheese is blended with roasted red peppers, black olives, sun-dried tomatoes, fresh herbs, garlic powder, and spices, chilled to set, then rolled in toasted nuts for a crunchy, savory bite. Serve it with crackers, baguette slices, or fresh vegetables for an impressive starter that’s easy to prepare and sure to delight your guests.

Ingredients

Scale

Cream Cheese Mixture

8 oz cream cheese (1 package, softened)
1/2 cup roasted red peppers, chopped
1/3 cup black olives, pitted and chopped
1/3 cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped (preferably oil-packed)
1/4 cup fresh herbs, finely chopped (such as parsley, basil, or chives)
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (adjust to taste)
Salt, to taste
Black pepper, to taste

Coating

1/2 cup toasted nuts, finely chopped (such as walnuts or pecans)

Instructions

Gather Ingredients: Collect all the ingredients required for the cream cheese antipasto log to ensure an efficient and organized cooking process.
Mix Cream Cheese and Add-ins: In a mixing bowl, combine the softened cream cheese with the chopped roasted red peppers, black olives, sun-dried tomatoes, and fresh herbs. Add garlic powder, crushed red pepper flakes, salt, and black pepper. Stir thoroughly until all ingredients are well blended and evenly distributed.
Form the Log: Place a piece of plastic wrap on a clean, flat surface. Spoon the cream cheese mixture onto the center of the plastic wrap. Using the plastic wrap, roll the mixture tightly into a log shape, ensuring it is compact and uniform.
Chill the Log: Place the wrapped log in the refrigerator and chill for at least one hour. This step allows the flavors to meld and the log to firm up for easy handling.
Coat with Nuts and Serve: After chilling, unwrap the log carefully. Roll it in finely chopped toasted nuts until completely coated. Arrange the antipasto log on a serving platter and serve with crackers, sliced baguette, or fresh vegetables for dipping.

Notes

For best flavor, use oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes.
You can customize the fresh herbs according to preference, such as using all basil or a mix of parsley and chives.
Make sure the cream cheese is softened to facilitate easy mixing.
Chilling the log thoroughly is key to achieving firm slices and easy handling.
This appetizer can be made a day ahead and kept refrigerated, enhancing the flavors.
To toast nuts, spread them on a baking sheet and roast in a 350°F oven for 5-7 minutes until fragrant, stirring occasionally.
Adjust the amount of crushed red pepper flakes depending on how spicy you like it.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 7 minutes (for toasting nuts)
Category: Appetizer
Method: No-Cook
Cuisine: Italian-American

Keywords: cream cheese antipasto log, holiday appetizer, festive appetizer, cream cheese spread, roasted red pepper dip, toasted nuts coating, easy holiday recipes