Description
This Italian Cheese Loaf is a festive and flavorful Christmas appetizer featuring a creamy blend of cream cheese, sour cream, herbs, and an assortment of savory mix-ins like roasted peppers, salami, olives, and sun-dried tomatoes. Perfectly chilled and garnished with fresh herbs, it pairs wonderfully with crackers for an easy yet elegant party starter.
Ingredients
Scale
Cheese Mixture
- 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 (adjust to taste)
- 1 tsp red pepper/chilli flakes (adjust to taste)
- 2 cups cheddar or other cheese, freshly grated
Add-ins
- 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 or chives, finely chopped
Garnish and Serving
- Rosemary sprigs (for decoration)
- Jatz or other crackers (for serving)
Instructions
- Prepare the Pan: Spray a loaf pan with oil to prevent sticking, then line it with cling wrap, leaving an overhang for easy removal later.
- Mix Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, sour cream, herbs (thyme, oregano, basil, rosemary, black pepper), garlic powder, salt, red pepper flakes, grated cheddar, roasted peppers, salami, green olives, and green onion. Mix thoroughly to evenly distribute all ingredients. Taste and adjust salt as needed, keeping in mind the saltiness of accompanying crackers.
- Fill the Loaf Pan: Scrape the cheese mixture into the prepared loaf pan. Level the surface and press down firmly to remove any air pockets. Note that using a smaller pan will result in a taller loaf.
- Chill the Loaf: Cover the loaf with the cling wrap overhang and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, or up to one week, to allow it to firm up and flavors to meld.
- Unmold the Loaf: When ready to serve, turn the loaf out onto a serving platter and carefully peel off the cling wrap.
- Garnish: Top the loaf with sun-dried tomatoes along with the oil they came in. Garnish with finely chopped parsley or chives and rosemary sprigs to create a festive appearance.
- Serve: For best taste and texture, serve the cheese loaf closer to room temperature rather than fridge cold. Offer with Jatz or other crackers. The loaf is soft enough to scoop with crackers, but knives can be provided for smearing if desired.
Notes
- Make sure the cream cheese is properly softened for easier mixing.
- You can use Italian seasoning (1 tsp) in place of the individual herbs for convenience.
- Adjust salt according to your taste and the saltiness of the crackers you’ll serve.
- The cheese loaf can be refrigerated for up to one week, making it a great make-ahead appetizer.
- Use a smaller loaf pan for a taller cheese loaf; a larger pan will produce a flatter shape.
- Serve closer to room temperature to enhance the flavors and soften the texture.
- Substitute salami with vegetarian deli slices to make a vegetarian version.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: Italian
Keywords: Italian cheese loaf, Christmas appetizer, savory cheese spread, party appetizer, no-cook cheese loaf
