Christmas Appetiser: Italian Cheese Loaf
User Reviews
5
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Prep Time
20 mins
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Servings
15 - 20
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Calories
278 kcal
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Course
Appetizer
Christmas Appetiser: Italian Cheese Loaf
Description
This cheese loaf combines a creamy base of cream cheese and sour cream with cheddar and aromatic herbs like oregano, basil, rosemary, thyme, and chili flakes for seasoning. Roasted peppers, chopped salami, olives, and green onions add texture, flavor depth, and a salty, savory character tied to Italian-style antipasto ingredients.
The mixture is pressed into a loaf pan lined with cling wrap to shape and remove air pockets, then refrigerated until firm. Before serving, the loaf is turned out, topped with oil-soaked sun-dried tomatoes and fresh parsley, and garnished with rosemary sprigs to enhance its festive appearance. The result is a spreadable appetizer with a balanced combination of creamy, tangy, and spicy notes.
Serve near room temperature with crackers to allow easy scooping without spreading knives. This recipe can be customized by adding or omitting ingredients like salami or various cheeses depending on preference.
Ingredients
Cheese Log:
- 500g/ 1 lb cream cheese , softened (Note 1)
- 1/3 cup sour cream (Note 2)
- 1/2 tsp thyme OR 1 tsp Italian Seasoning
- 1/2 tsp oregano
- 1/2 tsp basil
- 1/2 tsp rosemary
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp garlic powder adjust to taste, aka chilli flakes
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp red pepper flakes
- 2 cup cheddar cheese freshly grated (Note 3, or other cheese
- 280g / 9 oz roasted peppers , drained and finely chopped
- 180g / 6 oz salami , finely chopped (Note 4)
- 3/4 cup green olives , finely chopped
- 1/3 cup green onion , finely minced (3 - 4 stalks)
Topping/serving:
- 220g / 7 oz sun-dried tomatoes roughly chopped, in oil, strips
- 1/4 cup parsley , finely chopped (or chives)
- rosemary decoration, sprigs
- crackers for serving, Jatz or other
Instructions
- Spray a loaf pan with oil then line with cling wrap with overhang.
- Mix Cheese Log ingredients together. Taste and adjust salt if needed (bear in mind saltiness of crackers you are serving with).
- Scrape into loaf pan and level surface, pressing to remove air pockets. Smaller pan = taller loaf.
- Cover with cling wrap overhang and refrigerate for 4 hours+ (up to 1 week).
- Turn out onto platter, peel off cling wrap.
- Top with sun dried tomato and pour over oil. Garnish with parsley and rosemary sprigs to give it a festive look.
- Best to serve closer to room temp than fridge cold. Serve with crackers! Knives for smearing optional - it's soft enough to scoop with crackers.
Notes
- Use block cream cheese for better texture; if only spreadable cream cheese is available, omit the sour cream to maintain consistency.
- Sour cream can be substituted with yogurt or mayonnaise to loosen the mixture slightly.
- Grate cheese freshly for finer strands that blend more evenly; avoid pre-shredded varieties for best texture.
- Use hot salami for a more pronounced flavor; finely chop for even distribution in the loaf.
- The loaf can be shaped freeform without a pan by rolling in cling wrap and twisting the ends before refrigerating.
- Customize by replacing salami with additional parmesan or other antipasto ingredients like artichokes, capers, or olives.
- Serve the loaf chilled but closer to room temperature for easiest spreading and best taste.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 15- 20
Amount Per Serving
Calories 278 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 278cal | 14% |
| Carbohydrates | 6g | 2% |
| Protein | 9g | 18% |
| Fat | 24g | 37% |
| Saturated Fat | 12g | 60% |
| Cholesterol | 64mg | 21% |
| Sodium | 876mg | 37% |
| Potassium | 384mg | 8% |
| Fiber | 1g | 4% |
| Sugar | 1g | 2% |
| Vitamin A | 1050IU | 21% |
| Vitamin C | 25.3mg | 28% |
| Calcium | 170mg | 17% |
| Iron | 1.1mg | 6% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
5
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