Cranberry Crostini is a delicious (and easy!) way to elevate your fall and winter gatherings. Sweet and tangy cranberry sauce sits on top of a freshly whipped goat cheese spread and slice of crusty bread. Crostini appetizers with cranberry sauce are perfect for Thanksgiving, Christmas, or any late fall gathering!
If you’ve been looking for a fun appetizer to bring to your Thanksgiving festivities, or a way to use up that homemade cranberry sauce after the holiday, this cranberry crostini is for you! This easy appetizer recipe feels fancy, tastes delicious, and is secretly easy to make… a winner in my book!
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What is Crostini?
Simply put, crostini is another name for toast. It is often served as an antipasto, or starter dish, with a variety of toppings.
Crostini is similar, but different from bruschetta, due to the type of bread used and how it is prepared. It is made from even slices of smaller, finer-textured bread like a white bread baguette. Crostini is toasted until just crispy. On the other hand, bruschetta is made from larger, thick slices of bread, such as sourdough or an Italian loaf. The bread base for bruschetta is generally grilled.
Helpful Notes for Making Crostini
Use a serrated knife to cut your baguette. A serrated knife is the ideal tool to cut foods that are hard on the outside and soft on the inside – like a nice, crusty loaf of bread!
Has your baguette gone slightly stale? You can still use it! Making crostini is a great way to use that slightly stale loaf of bread. Note: do not use the bread if there are signs of mold.
There are other ways to enjoy crostini toasts too. Loving homemade crostinis? These little toasted breads are great topped with cheese (sliced or spreadable), as a part of a charcuterie board, and for dipping into hummus and other spreads too!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Level of difficulty: Easy.
Flavor: Each layer of this homemade crostini brings a new pop of flavor! Crunchy toasted french bread is accented by creamy thyme goat cheese with bright pops of sweet and tart cranberry sauce.
Time: It will take you approximately 30 minutes to prepare your cranberry and goat cheese crostini. This includes prep time, toasting your baguette slices, making your whipped goat cheese, and assembling your crostini toppings.
Ingredients Needed
French Baguette
Olive Oil
Goat Cheese
Whipped Cream Cheese
Fresh Thyme
Salt
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Make the crostini toasts. Preheat your oven to 450°F. Slice your baguette into even slices no bigger than ½” thick and brush each side with olive oil. Place brushed slices onto a baking sheet and bake for 6-9 minutes until toasted. Remove from the oven and allow to cool before adding the toppings (at least 5 minutes).
- Note: there is no need to flip the crostini during the cooking process
- Note: crostini won’t really get browned (they appear to be a little golden), so giving your toasts a little tap with your finger or a fork will help you determine if they are toasted or not. Perfectly toasted crostini sound a little hollow.
- Make the whipped goat cheese with thyme. While your crostini is toasting, place the goat cheese, cream cheese, salt, and thyme leaves into a food processor (or high power blender) and process until combined. Scrape down the sides of your food processor with a rubber scraper part way through to ensure all ingredients are getting incorporated.
- Assemble your cranberry goat cheese crostini. Spread an even layer of the whipped goat cheese mixture onto each cooled crostini toast. Top each crostini with a spoonful of homemade cranberry sauce and gently spread it across the goat cheese layer. Add a little sprig of fresh thyme, or additional thyme leaves, for garnish if desired.
- Serve and enjoy! Place assembled crostini on a serving platter, eat, and enjoy!
Expert Tips
Curious on how to make cranberry sauce or need a homemade cranberry sauce recipe? This is my family’s go-to cranberry sauce recipe!
Save time by making your whipped goat cheese mixture ahead of your gathering! You can make the whipped goat cheese mixture the day ahead of serving. If you choose to do this, store in an air-tight container in the fridge until ready to assemble your toasts.
The whipped goat cheese is easier to spread if it’s not totally cold. I’ve found that the whipped goat cheese mixture is easier to spread straight out of the food processor as it warms up the ingredients a little bit. If you’ve made your goat cheese mixture ahead of time, let it sit out on your counter for 5-10 minutes prior to spreading it on your toasts.
Don’t love goat cheese? Try using slices of brie instead! If goat cheese is not your thing, you can still make these crostini appetizers by replacing the goat cheese mixture with brie cheese. Assemble the cranberry brie crostini, adding leaves of thyme on top, and enjoy!
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Cranberry Crostini with Whipped Goat Cheese with Thyme
Ingredients
- 1, baguette crusty French bread
- 2-3 tablespoon olive oil
- 8 oz plain goat cheese
- 4 oz whipped cream cheese
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves
- 1.5 C homemade cranberry sauce
Instructions
Make the Crostini
- Preheat your oven to 450°F.
- Slice your baguette into even slices no bigger than ½” thick and brush each side with olive oil.
- Place brushed slices onto a baking sheet and bake for 6-9 minutes until toasted.*
- Remove from the oven and allow to cool before adding the toppings (at least 5 minutes).
Make the Whipped Goat Cheese
- While your crostini is toasting, make the whipped goat cheese with thyme by placing the goat cheese, cream cheese, salt, and thyme leaves into a food processor (or high power blender) and process until combined. Scrape down the sides of your food processor with a rubber scraper part way through to ensure all ingredients are getting incorporated.
Assemble Crostini
- Spread an even layer of the whipped goat cheese mixture onto each cooled crostini toast.
- Top with a spoonful of homemade cranberry sauce and gently spread it across the goat cheese layer.
- Add a little sprig of fresh thyme, or additional thyme leaves, for garnish if desired.
- Place assembled crostini on a serving platter, eat, and enjoy!
Cindy M says
Perfect holiday party appetizer! Easy to make, easy to store and travel with, or easy to make at your destination.
Meredith says
So glad to hear you enjoyed them Cindy!