Simple Crostini with Creamy Brie & Tangy Cranberry Recipe

Crostini with creamy brie and sweet-tart balsamic cranberries upgrade ordinary appetizers into culinary magic that instantly elevates any gathering.

Small, crispy bread slices become magical canvases for rich, luxurious flavor combinations that dance across your palate.

Elegant yet surprisingly simple, these bite-sized delights capture the essence of sophisticated entertaining without complex preparation techniques.

Tangy cranberries mingle with smooth, velvety cheese, creating a harmonious balance of textures and tastes that surprise and delight.

Mediterranean-inspired ingredients merge in a delightful symphony of complementary flavors that feel both familiar and innovative.

Sophisticated appetizers like these demonstrate how minimal ingredients can produce maximum culinary impact when thoughtfully combined.

Guests will be impressed by the elegant presentation and complex flavor profile that seems far more challenging than the actual preparation requires.

Crostini with Creamy Brie and Sweet-Tart Cranberries

• Elevate Simple Ingredients: Transform basic baguette, brie, and cranberries into an elegant appetizer that looks and tastes sophisticated with minimal kitchen effort.
• Quick Flavor Explosion: Combine sweet-tart roasted cranberries with creamy melted brie for a complex taste profile that delights the palate in just 20 minutes of total preparation time.
• Versatile Party Pleaser: Perfect for holiday gatherings, wine nights, or impromptu appetizers that impress guests without requiring advanced culinary skills and create an instant gourmet experience.

Ingredients for Crostini with Creamy Brie and Cranberries

• Baguette: Classic bread for creating crispy base with light texture and neutral flavor.
• Olive Oil: Helps bread achieve golden, crispy edges and adds subtle richness.

• Brie Cheese: Soft, creamy French cheese that melts beautifully and provides rich, buttery flavor.

• Cranberries: Tart winter fruit that provides vibrant color and bright, tangy flavor profile.
• Balsamic Vinegar: Adds deep, sweet-sour complexity to roasted cranberries.
• Honey: Natural sweetener that balances cranberries' tartness and helps create glossy glaze.

• Salt: Enhances overall flavor and balances sweetness in the dish.
• Black Pepper: Adds subtle heat and depth to cranberry mixture.
• Fresh Thyme: Aromatic herb that provides elegant, earthy note and visual garnish.

How to Prepare Crostini with Creamy Brie and Cranberries

Step 1: Warm Up the Oven

Crank your oven to 375°F (190°C). Grab a baking sheet and line up baguette slices in a neat single layer.

• Olive oil

Brush each slice with olive oil to create that perfect crispy crunch.

Step 2: Create Golden Crostini

Slide the baking sheet into the oven and bake for 8-10 minutes. Watch for edges turning a beautiful golden brown and achieving a satisfying crispness. Pull out and let cool for a moment.

Step 3: Mix Cranberry Magic

In a mixing bowl, combine your cranberries with exciting flavor boosters.

• Cranberries
• Balsamic vinegar
• Honey
• Salt
• Pepper

Stir everything together until well mixed. Spread this vibrant mixture onto a separate baking sheet.

Step 4: Roast Cranberry Goodness

Place the cranberry mixture in the oven for 10-12 minutes. Look for cranberries to soften and start bursting, which intensifies their delicious flavor.

Step 5: Melt the Brie

Top each cooled crostini with a slice of creamy brie cheese. Return to the oven for 2-3 minutes, allowing the cheese to become wonderfully soft and slightly melted.

Step 6: Final Touch and Garnish

Crown each cheesy crostini with a spoonful of roasted cranberries. Add a tiny sprig of fresh thyme on top for an extra burst of flavor and a gorgeous finishing touch.

Serve immediately and watch your guests’ eyes light up with delight!

Best Tips for Crostini with Creamy Brie and Cranberries

• Slice Strategically: Cut the baguette at a diagonal angle to create longer, more elegant crostini surfaces that provide better cheese and cranberry coverage.
• Oil with Purpose: Use a light, even brush of olive oil to ensure each baguette slice gets crispy without becoming greasy or soggy.
• Watch Cranberry Roasting: Monitor the cranberries closely during roasting to prevent burning, aiming for a jammy, slightly burst texture that caramelizes without scorching.
• Cheese Melting Technique: Remove brie from refrigerator 15-20 minutes before baking to help it melt more evenly and smoothly across the crostini.
• Timing is Key: Assemble the crostinis just before serving to maintain the perfect balance of crisp bread, melted cheese, and warm cranberry topping for maximum flavor and texture.

Storing and Reheating Crostini with Creamy Brie and Cranberries

• Storing Leftovers: Transfer any remaining crostinis to an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 2 days. Separate layers with parchment paper to prevent sticking and maintain crispness.
• Reheating Method: Warm the crostinis in a preheated oven at 350°F for 5-7 minutes. This helps restore the crispy texture and melts the brie cheese perfectly without drying out the bread.
• Best Serving Tip: For optimal taste and texture, consume leftovers within 24 hours. If the crostinis seem slightly soggy, quickly refresh them in the oven to bring back their original crunch and delicious flavor.

Pairing Crostini with Creamy Brie and Cranberries

• Pair with Sparkling Wine: Uncork a crisp prosecco or champagne to complement the creamy brie and sweet-tart cranberries. The bubbles cut through the richness of the cheese while highlighting the bright cranberry flavors.
• Match with Nutty Red Wine: Select a light pinot noir or beaujolais to enhance the crostini's complex taste profile. These wines bring out the subtle earthiness of the thyme and balance the tangy balsamic cranberries.
• Serve with Herbal Gin Cocktail: Mix a gin cocktail featuring rosemary or thyme-infused syrup to echo the herb garnish. The botanical notes will dance perfectly with the sweet-tart cranberry topping and creamy brie.
• Complement with Apple Cider: Offer a chilled hard apple cider for a crisp, slightly sweet beverage that mirrors the cranberry's fruity essence. Its acidity helps cut through the rich, melted cheese and provides a refreshing counterpoint.

Crostini with Creamy Brie and Sweet-Tart Cranberries Variations

• Goat Cheese Garden: Swap brie with tangy goat cheese, adding roasted bell peppers and fresh basil leaves for a Mediterranean-inspired appetizer that bursts with vibrant flavors.
• Spicy Maple Cranberry: Replace honey with maple syrup and sprinkle red pepper flakes over the cranberries, creating a sweet-heat combination that tingles taste buds.
• Blue Cheese Rustic: Use crumbled blue cheese instead of brie, incorporating toasted walnuts and a drizzle of honey for a robust, earthy appetizer with rich depth.
• Herb-Infused Cranberry: Mix dried herbs like rosemary and oregano into the cranberry mixture, enhancing the roasted fruit's complexity and adding aromatic undertones to the crostini.

Crostini With Creamy Brie And Sweet-Tart Balsamic Cranberries Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.5 from 18 reviews

• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 12 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Crostini with Creamy Brie and Sweet-Tart Balsamic Cranberries deliver an elegant Italian-inspired appetizer that balances rich cheese with tangy fruit. Crisp bread slices topped with melted brie and spiced cranberry compote bring sophisticated flavor to your holiday gathering.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Ingredients:

• 1 baguette, sliced into 0.5 inches (1.27 centimeters)
• 8 ounces (226 grams) brie cheese, sliced
• 1 cup (150 grams) fresh cranberries

Sweeteners and Liquids:

• 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
• 2 tablespoons honey
• Olive oil (for brushing)

Seasonings and Garnish:

• Salt, to taste
• Pepper, to taste
• Fresh thyme sprigs (for garnish)

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Warm the oven to 375°F (190°C), creating an ideal environment for transforming simple ingredients into a delectable appetizer.
2. Slice the baguette into thin, uniform pieces, arranging them in a single layer on a baking sheet and generously brushing each slice with olive oil to ensure a crisp, golden texture.
3. Bake the bread slices for 8-10 minutes until they develop a beautiful golden-brown edge and achieve a satisfying crunch.
4. While the bread toasts, create a vibrant cranberry mixture by combining whole cranberries with balsamic vinegar, honey, salt, and freshly ground black pepper in a mixing bowl.
5. Spread the cranberry mixture onto a separate baking sheet, then roast for 10-12 minutes until the fruits soften and begin to burst, concentrating their tangy-sweet flavor.
6. Remove the crisp crostini from the oven and allow them to cool slightly, then layer each piece with a delicate slice of creamy brie cheese.
7. Return the cheese-topped crostini to the oven for 2-3 minutes, allowing the brie to become luxuriously soft and slightly melted.
8. Finish by generously topping each warm, cheesy crostini with the roasted balsamic cranberries, and garnish with a delicate sprig of fresh thyme for an elegant and aromatic touch.

Notes

• Preheat your oven strategically to ensure perfect crispness for the crostinis and even roasting of the cranberries.
• Use a fresh baguette and slice thinly to create delicate, uniform base for maximum crunch and elegant presentation.
• Choose high-quality brie cheese that melts smoothly and complements the sweet-tart roasted cranberry topping.
• Roast cranberries until they just begin to burst, concentrating their flavor and creating a vibrant, glossy texture.
• Fresh thyme adds an unexpected herbal note that elevates the entire appetizer from simple to sophisticated.
• Serve immediately after assembling to enjoy the warm, melted cheese and the slightly caramelized cranberries at their peak deliciousness.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Appetizer, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 12
• Calories: 135 kcal
• Sugar: 5 g
• Sodium: 180 mg
• Fat: 7 g
• Saturated Fat: 4 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 14 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 5 g
• Cholesterol: 20 mg