Italian Cheese Loaf Christmas Appetizer Recipe

Introduction

This Italian Cheese Loaf is a festive and flavorful Christmas appetizer that combines creamy cheeses, savory salami, and vibrant roasted peppers. It’s easy to prepare ahead and perfect for serving with crackers at your holiday gatherings.

Ingredients

• 500g (1 lb) cream cheese, softened
• 1/3 cup sour cream
• 1/2 tsp each thyme, oregano, basil, rosemary, black pepper (or 1 tsp Italian seasoning)
• 1 tsp each garlic powder, salt, red pepper/chilli flakes (adjust to taste)
• 2 cups cheddar or other cheese, freshly grated
• 280g (9 oz) roasted peppers, drained and finely chopped
• 180g (6 oz) salami, finely chopped
• 3/4 cup green olives, finely chopped
• 1/3 cup green onion, finely minced (3 – 4 stalks)
• 220g (7 oz) sun dried tomato strips with oil, roughly chopped
• 1/4 cup parsley, finely chopped (or chives)
• Rosemary sprigs, for decoration
• Jatz or other crackers, for serving

Instructions

1. Step 1: Spray a loaf pan with oil, then line it with cling wrap, leaving an overhang on all sides.
2. Step 2: In a large bowl, mix together the cream cheese, sour cream, herbs, spices, grated cheese, roasted peppers, salami, green olives, and green onion. Taste and adjust salt if needed, keeping in mind the saltiness of your crackers.
3. Step 3: Transfer the mixture into the prepared loaf pan. Level the surface and press down firmly to remove any air pockets. Use a smaller pan if you want a taller loaf.
4. Step 4: Cover the top with the cling wrap overhang and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, or up to 1 week to allow flavors to meld.
5. Step 5: When ready to serve, turn the loaf out onto a platter and carefully peel off the cling wrap.
6. Step 6: Top the loaf with the chopped sun dried tomatoes and drizzle with the oil from the tomatoes. Garnish with chopped parsley and rosemary sprigs for a festive touch.
7. Step 7: Serve closer to room temperature with crackers. It is soft enough to scoop with crackers, so knives are optional.

Tips & Variations

• Use freshly grated cheese for better texture and flavor.
• For a milder version, reduce or omit the red pepper flakes.
• Swap salami for prosciutto or cooked bacon for different flavors.
• Try different herbs like fresh basil or chives according to what you have on hand.
• Prepare the loaf up to a week in advance; flavors improve with time.

Storage

Store the Italian Cheese Loaf tightly covered in the refrigerator for up to one week. Before serving, allow it to come to room temperature for about 30 minutes to soften. Leftover portions can be wrapped and refrigerated; it may firm up again but remains delicious.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make this cheese loaf ahead of time?

Yes, it’s recommended to make it at least 4 hours ahead. The flavors meld beautifully if prepared up to a week in advance and kept refrigerated.

What crackers pair best with this cheese loaf?

Neutral flavored crackers like Jatz or water crackers work well, but you can also serve it with whole grain or herb-infused crackers for added flavor.

Italian Cheese Loaf Christmas Appetizer Recipe

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★★★★★

4.9 from 114 reviews

• Author: Harry
• Total Time: 4 hours 20 minutes (including chilling)
• Yield: 1 loaf, serves approximately 8-10 as an appetizer 1x

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Description

This festive Italian Cheese Loaf is a creamy and flavorful Christmas appetizer, loaded with a blend of cream cheese, sour cream, herbs, cheddar, roasted peppers, salami, olives, and sun-dried tomatoes. Perfectly chilled and garnished with fresh herbs, it pairs beautifully with crackers for easy serving and a crowd-pleasing holiday treat.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Cheese Log Base

• 500g / 1 lb cream cheese, softened
• 1/3 cup sour cream
• 1/2 tsp thyme
• 1/2 tsp oregano
• 1/2 tsp basil
• 1/2 tsp rosemary
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 tsp red pepper/chilli flakes (adjust to taste)
• 2 cups cheddar or other cheese, freshly grated
• 280g / 9 oz roasted peppers, drained and finely chopped
• 180g / 6 oz salami, finely chopped
• 3/4 cup green olives, finely chopped
• 1/3 cup green onion, finely minced (3–4 stalks)

Toppings and Garnish

• 220g / 7 oz sun dried tomato strips with oil, roughly chopped
• 1/4 cup parsley, finely chopped (or chives)
• Rosemary sprigs for decoration
• Jatz or other crackers for serving

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Instructions

1. Prepare Loaf Pan: Spray a loaf pan with oil and line it with cling wrap, leaving an overhang to help with easy removal later.
2. Mix Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the cream cheese, sour cream, herbs (thyme, oregano, basil, rosemary, black pepper), garlic powder, salt, red pepper flakes, cheddar cheese, roasted peppers, salami, green olives, and green onion. Mix thoroughly until well combined. Taste and adjust salt as needed, keeping in mind the saltiness of the crackers you’ll serve with.
3. Shape the Loaf: Transfer the cheese mixture into the prepared loaf pan. Level the surface and press down firmly to remove any air pockets. Using a smaller loaf pan will result in a taller loaf.
4. Chill: Cover the loaf with the overhanging cling wrap and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, though it can be chilled up to one week in advance to develop flavors.
5. Unmold: When ready to serve, turn the loaf out onto a serving platter and carefully peel off the cling wrap.
6. Add Toppings and Garnish: Spread the sun-dried tomato strips over the top of the loaf and drizzle with their oil. Garnish with finely chopped parsley (or chives) and rosemary sprigs for a festive presentation.
7. Serve: For best flavor, bring the cheese loaf closer to room temperature before serving. Offer with Jatz or other crackers. The cheese is soft enough to scoop with the crackers, so knives for spreading are optional.

Notes

• Use softened cream cheese to ensure easy mixing and a smooth texture.
• Sour cream adds tanginess and creaminess to balance the flavors.
• Freshly grated cheddar melts better into the mixture and enhances the cheesy flavor.
• Roasted peppers should be drained well to avoid excess moisture in the loaf.
• Salami adds a savory, meaty bite, but you can substitute with other cured meats as preferred.
• Adjust the amount of red pepper flakes depending on your desired level of spiciness.
• The cheese loaf can be made up to a week in advance and kept chilled, making it ideal for holiday entertaining.
• Serve slightly chilled or at room temperature for best texture and flavor.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 0 minutes
• Category: Appetizer
• Method: No-Cook
• Cuisine: Italian

Keywords: Italian cheese loaf, Christmas appetizer, holiday cheese ball, savory cheese log, festive appetizer, creamy cheese spread