Ingredients
For the Crostini:
- 1 French baguette, sliced into ½-inch rounds
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 clove garlic, halved (for rubbing)
For the Topping:
- 4 oz goat cheese, softened
- 1 tbsp honey (plus extra for drizzling)
- ½ tsp lemon zest (optional, for brightness)
- 1 cup cherries, pitted and halved (fresh or frozen, see variations below)
- 2 tbsp balsamic glaze
- ¼ cup toasted chopped pecans or walnuts (optional, for crunch)
- 1 tbsp fresh thyme or basil, finely chopped
Instructions
Step 1: Prepare the Crostini
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Arrange the baguette slices on a baking sheet and brush both sides lightly with olive oil.
- Bake for 8-10 minutes, flipping halfway through, until golden and crisp.
- Once out of the oven, rub each slice with the cut side of a garlic clove for extra flavor.
Step 2: Prepare the Goat Cheese Spread
- In a small bowl, mix goat cheese, honey, and lemon zest (if using).
- Stir until smooth and spreadable.
Step 3: Prepare the Cherries
- If using fresh cherries, pit and slice them in half.
- If using frozen cherries, let them thaw slightly, then slice.
- Drizzle the cherries with balsamic glaze and let them sit for a minute to absorb the flavor.
Step 4: Assemble the Crostini
- Spread a generous layer of goat cheese mixture onto each toasted baguette slice.
- Top with balsamic cherries.
- Sprinkle with chopped pecans or walnuts for crunch.
- Garnish with fresh thyme or basil.
- Drizzle with extra honey or balsamic glaze for added depth of flavor.
Notes
Yields: 12-15 crostini
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes