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
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)
Instructions
- Warm the oven to 375°F (190°C), creating an ideal environment for transforming simple ingredients into a delectable appetizer.
- 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.
- Bake the bread slices for 8-10 minutes until they develop a beautiful golden-brown edge and achieve a satisfying crunch.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Return the cheese-topped crostini to the oven for 2-3 minutes, allowing the brie to become luxuriously soft and slightly melted.
- 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