A goat cheese log is a fantastic appetizer that only takes 5 minutes to make! Quick and easy it is perfect to serve when guests drop in last minute or unexpectedly. This goat cheese log recipe needs only 3 ingredients and some crackers to throw on the side.
Recipes like the Caramelized Onion and Goat Cheese Bites, Goat Cheese Grilled Cheese and the Caramelised Onion Tarts all delight in using goat cheese. This goat cheese appetizer is no exception! The combination of the tangy cheese with slightly spicy chilli jam is heaven sent 😍.
The Baked Brie With Red Pepper Jelly, Cream Cheese Pepper Jelly and the Puff Pastry Bites all use pepper jelly as a key ingredient.
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🤍 Recipe Highlights
I have summarised everything that you will come to know and love (LOVE ❤) about the goat cheese pepper jelly recipe in the points below:
- Super quick!
- Super easy!
- Combination of flavors: there is an enjoyment to be experienced from combining 2 ingredients that not only hold their own but also hold hands when paired together.
- Versatile: this pepper jelly goat cheese log works as an appetizer with crackers, can be part of a baked camembert platter, a grazing platter or it can be multiplied to feed more people (make 2-3 logs simultaneously) or simply bring it together with a glass of wine for a lazy Sunday afternoon.
- Make it homemade: if you want to put your own spin on this goat cheese log then how about whipping up the Chilli Tomato Jam or flavor packed Tomato Bacon Jam and using that for the topping!
🥗 Ingredients
The photo below is to show you everything you need to make the goat cheese appetizer recipe. Please refer to the printable recipe card for specific ingredient measurements as well as detailed instructions.
As you can see the recipe calls for:
- Pepper jelly: pepper jelly or chilli jam whichever it is called in your country. I like to use red pepper jelly as the contrast with the white of the goat cheese and red chilli jam really pops!
- Goat cheese: goat cheese is creamy, tangy and smooth! Made from goat's milk it is a great alternative to cow's milk cheeses. Look for an actual rolled log. Not a packet that is log shape but by the time you get the cheese out of the packaging it is all squashed.
- Crackers: use your favorite! Robust crackers work well with cheese as they won't break as easily as thin crackers however, you can also put a cheese knife on the plate so either use what you have or what you want to use!
🍳 Instructions
Here are the step by step instructions to make the recipe. We start by unpacking the goat cheese and placing it onto a serving plate.
- Unwrap and plate the cheese log (Photo 1)
👩🍳 How to Make A Goat Cheese Log
To make the goat cheese log start by removing the packaging and plating the cheese like you see in the photo above.
From there dollop the red pepper jelly over the top like you see in the photo below.
- Dollop the pepper jelly over the top (Photo 2)
- Add the crackers to the serving plate (Photo 3)
- Sprinkle with thyme (Photo 4)
And we are all done! See I told you it would only take 5 minutes 😉👍.
🍽 Serving Suggestions
When it comes to serving your goat cheese log you have a couple of options available.
Thick robust crackers like Jatz or Ritz work well as they are less likely to break.
The thyme is optional but it does give us a pop or 2 of colour and you can see how this comes together in the photo below.
It can get a little bit sticky too as the cheese disappears but if you add a small cheese knife to the plate you will find that people can cut and spread the cheese so that everyone keeps their fingers out of the mix.
👍 How to Guide
How to Store
Store leftover goat cheese in a sealed, air tight container in the fridge. It can be kept for 2-3 days.
How to Freeze or Reheat
This recipe is designed to be served cold or at room temperature. It is not suitable to be frozen and it doesn't need to be heated.
😉 Substitutions and Variations
Here are my sub ins and outs that you might be thinking about as you read the post and I will tell you if I think they will work or why they won't:
- Yes you can do this with cream cheese. See the Cream Cheese Pepper Jelly recipe for reference.
- Yes you can do this with a wheel of brie cheese. See the Baked Brie With Red Pepper Jelly recipe for reference.
- Rosemary is an alternative fresh herb that can be used in place of the thyme if you want an alternative.
- You can add some crushed nuts like walnuts or pistachios sprinkled over the top of the chilli jam if you wish too.
- You can use your favorite type of pepper jelly be it jalapeno, apricot or red pepper jelly.
- For a more milder flavored topping try raspberry jam or cranberry sauce.
💡 Tasty Tips
Here are my top tips and tricks that I want to share with you so that you master the recipe from the get go:
- You will find a wide variety of goat cheese in the shops. It comes in slices, a barrel, tub or rolls. Some of the rolls are packaged in a way that you can remove the packaging and they will retain their shape ie long round log. This is what you are looking for. Not the long goat cheese rectangular shapes that are not round.
- You can remove the packaging and plate the cheese and place this back into the fridge until you are ready to serve it as a means to be organised. All you need to do then is top it and add the crackers.
- Spread or dollop the pepper jelly over the goat cheese only moments before you serve it so that it doesn't get soggy.
- If you love cheese recipes then you might also like the Microwave Brie, Baked Brie Bread Bowl, Baked Feta With Honey, Honey Walnut Cream Cheese, Chive and Onion Cream Cheese or the Honey Pecan Cream Cheese 😄👌.
🤓 Frequently Asked Questions
A log of goat cheese is a long round shaped portion of goat cheese. It is sold in this shape so that it can be used as an appetizer or cheese platter feature.
No, halloumi and goat cheese are 2 different types of cheese. Goat cheese is soft and crumbly whereas halloumi is firm with a rubbery texture.
Chevre is the fancy name for goat cheese.
Blue cheese, cream cheese, brie cheese or camembert cheese can all be used in place of a log of goat cheese.
You will find pepper jelly in the aisle where the condiments are like the relishes, horseradish and mustards.
😍 More Easy Party Food Recipes
Get ready to dive on into some more recipes that offer a variety of tastes and textures. These ideas are perfect for parties, barbecues, game day and more!
- Goat Cheese Stuffed Dates
- Bacon And Cheese Cob Loaf
- Puff Pastry Cheese Twists
- Tater Tot Cups
- Spinach Cob Loaf Dip
- Mini Meatballs
- Smoked Trout Dip
- Baked Feta With Honey
- Green Olive Dip
- Mini Croissant Sandwiches
It is time to get our goat cheese log on my friend! You can also find all of my appetizer recipes, dips and spreads or Christmas recipes in the one spot!
Adrianne
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📖 Recipe
Goat Cheese Log
Ingredients
- 100 grams/3.5 oz goat cheese log Note 1
- 2 tablespoons red pepper jelly Note 2
To serve
- thyme leaves pulled from sprigs
- crackers thick and robust, Note 3
Instructions
- Goat cheese: grab the goat cheese out of the fridge and gently remove and discard the packaging. Then place the log into the centre of a serving plate.
- Pepper jelly: use a teaspoon to dollop the pepper jelly over the top of the goat cheese to cover the surface.
- Crackers: spread crackers around the sides of the goat cheese log slightly away from the base of the cheese.
- Thyme: pull the leaves from the sprigs of the thyme and sprinkle these leaves over the top.
- To serve: provide a cheese knife to serve.
Notes
- Note 1 - Goat cheese: look for an actual rolled log. Not a packet that is log shape but by the time you get the cheese out of the packaging it is all squashed. The rolled type of goat cheese will have packaging that retains the round shape of the log.
- Note 2 - Pepper jelly: in some countries this is known as 'chilli jam'. It is sweet, spicy and the perfect condiment for many recipes. It will be found in the aisle where the fig relishes, vinegars and mint jellies are. You can use your favorite type of pepper jelly be it red, apricot or jalapeno pepper jelly.
- Note 3 - Crackers: you can use your favorite type of crackers. I find that thick ones work best as they don't break off. If however, you are providing a cheese knife the goat cheese gets spread more so than dipped into so if you only have thin crackers they will do the job too!
Stephanie says
Looks great!