Description
This festive appetizer features crispy crostini topped with balsamic roasted cranberries and creamy Brie cheese, creating a perfect balance of tart, sweet, and savory flavors ideal for holiday gatherings or elegant parties.
Ingredients
Scale
Bread and Toppings
- 1 baguette, sliced into ½-inch rounds
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 4 oz Brie cheese, sliced
- Fresh thyme or rosemary for garnish (optional)
Balsamic Roasted Cranberries
- 1 cup fresh cranberries
- 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
- 1 tablespoon maple syrup or honey
- ½ teaspoon fresh thyme leaves (or ¼ teaspoon dried thyme)
- Pinch of salt
Instructions
- Prepare the Crostini: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Arrange the baguette slices on a baking sheet and lightly brush both sides with olive oil. Bake for 8–10 minutes, flipping the slices halfway through, until they turn golden and crisp. Remove from the oven and set aside.
- Make the Balsamic Roasted Cranberries: In a small baking dish, combine the fresh cranberries, balsamic vinegar, maple syrup or honey, thyme leaves, and a pinch of salt. Place the dish in the same oven and roast for 12–15 minutes, until the cranberries burst and the mixture becomes syrupy. Remove and let cool slightly.
- Assemble the Crostini: Place a slice of Brie on each toasted baguette round. Spoon a generous amount of the roasted cranberry mixture over the Brie. If desired, garnish each crostini with fresh thyme or rosemary sprigs.
- Serve: These crostini can be served warm or at room temperature. Optionally, warm them in the oven for 2–3 minutes just before serving to slightly melt the Brie cheese.
Notes
- To enhance the Brie’s creaminess, gently warm the assembled crostini in the oven for a few minutes before serving.
- Goat cheese or cream cheese are excellent substitutes for Brie if you prefer a different flavor or texture.
- Use fresh thyme leaves for the most vibrant herbal flavor, though dried thyme works as a convenient alternative.
- Leftover roasted cranberries can be used as a spread on sandwiches or stirred into yogurt for added flavor.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American, Holiday-Inspired
