Apple Cranberry Brie Crostini
Short description
Toasted baguette slices crowned with creamy brie, crisp apple slices, tangy cranberry sauce, and fragrant fresh thyme—perfect for festive bites.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
• A sophisticated, balanced flavor blend of creamy, crisp, sweet, and tart.
• Simple to prepare with just a few steps and elegant presentation.
• Ideal for gatherings or holiday parties—easy yet impressive.
ingredients
(Tip: You can find the complete list of ingredients and their measurements in the recipe card below.)
- French baguette, sliced into ½‑inch pieces
- Brie cheese, sliced
- Apple, thinly sliced
- Cranberry sauce (whole‑berry style)
- Fresh thyme sprigs
- Olive oil
directions
- Preheat oven to 375 °F (190 °C). Arrange baguette slices on a baking sheet and brush lightly with olive oil.
- Bake for 5–6 minutes, until the slices are lightly toasted.
- Place a slice of brie on each toasty baguette and return to the oven for 2–3 minutes until the cheese softens.
- Top each with 2–3 thin apple slices, a spoonful of cranberry sauce, and a sprig of fresh thyme.
- Serve warm or at room temperature.
Servings and timing
- Prep time: Approximately 15 minutes (Proportional Plate, Lemon Tree Dwelling, Savvy Mama Lifestyle, Carlsbad Cravings, MmmRecipes : Easy and Delicious Recipes)
- Cook time: About 15 minutes (Proportional Plate)
- Total time: Roughly 30 minutes (Proportional Plate)
- Servings: Around 8 servings based on the source (Proportional Plate)
Variations
- Prepare the cranberry topping up to 3 days in advance and store it in the fridge, then reheat gently before layering (MmmRecipes : Easy and Delicious Recipes).
- Consider using different apple varieties to shift the flavor profile—tart for contrast or sweet for balance (MmmRecipes : Easy and Delicious Recipes).
- For added flair, drizzle with honey or sprinkle with ground pepper, pomegranate seeds, or chopped nuts(Lemon Tree Dwelling).
storage/reheating
- Store crostini in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days, but note they are best when freshly prepared (MmmRecipes : Easy and Delicious Recipes).
- To refresh crispness, reheat leftovers in a 300 °F (150 °C) oven for 5–7 minutes (MmmRecipes : Easy and Delicious Recipes).
- The cranberry‑apple compote can be made in advance and kept chilled for up to 2 days (Your Home, Made Healthy).
FAQs
1. Can the cranberry topping be made ahead?
Yes—prep it up to 3 days in advance and store it in the refrigerator. Reheat slightly before topping the crostini (MmmRecipes : Easy and Delicious Recipes).
2. How long do crostini stay fresh?
Stored in an airtight container in the fridge, they last up to 2 days, though they are best served fresh for texture and flavor (MmmRecipes : Easy and Delicious Recipes, Savvy Mama Lifestyle).
3. How can I revive stale crostini?
Warm them in a 300 °F oven for 5–7 minutes to restore crispness (MmmRecipes : Easy and Delicious Recipes).
4. Should I use a specific apple type?
Choose based on desired flavor—tart varieties contrast the sweetness, while sweeter apples complement it (MmmRecipes : Easy and Delicious Recipes).
5. Can I freeze crostini or toppings?
Crostini texture deteriorates with freezing—best to prepare fresh. However, the cranberry–apple compote can be frozen for up to 3 months (Your Home, Made Healthy).
6. Should I remove the brie rind?
The rind is edible and adds texture and flavor. Slice it off only if preferred (Your Home, Made Healthy).
7. Serve hot or room temperature?
Warm is best for oozing brie, but they remain delicious at room temperature (Your Home, Made Healthy).
8. How can I prevent sogginess?
Toast the bread well and brush with oil to form a barrier that maintains crispness (Your Home, Made Healthy).
9. Can I add nuts or seeds?
Yes—sprinkle pomegranate seeds or chopped nuts like pecans for added crunch and flavor (Lemons & Zest).
###10. What’s a good drink pairing?
Pairs beautifully with sweet white wines, the fruity brightness contrasts nicely with the savory and creamy crostini (Savvy Mama Lifestyle).
Conclusion
These Apple Cranberry Brie Crostini offer a delightful balance of creamy brie, crisp apples, and tart cranberry, all atop perfectly toasted baguette—simple yet sophisticated. With make-ahead options for the compote and quick assembly, this recipe is perfect for elegant entertaining. Let me know if you’d like wine pairing suggestions or more garnish ideas!
PrintApple Cranberry Brie Crostini
An elegant holiday appetizer featuring toasted baguette slices topped with creamy brie, crisp apple slices, tangy cranberry sauce, and fresh thyme for a perfect blend of sweet, savory, and tart flavors.
- Prep Time: 10 mins
- Cook Time: 8 mins
- Total Time: 18 mins
- Yield: 20 pieces 1x
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking, Assembling
- Cuisine: French
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
- 1 French baguette, sliced into 1/2-inch pieces
- 8 oz brie cheese, sliced
- 1 red apple, thinly sliced
- 1/2 cup cranberry sauce (whole berry style)
- 2 tablespoons fresh thyme sprigs
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Arrange baguette slices on a baking sheet and brush lightly with olive oil.
- Bake for 5–6 minutes, until lightly toasted.
- Place a slice of brie on each baguette slice and return to the oven for 2–3 minutes, just until the cheese softens.
- Top each with 2–3 apple slices, a spoonful of cranberry sauce, and a sprig of fresh thyme.
- Serve warm or at room temperature.
Notes
- For extra flavor, drizzle with honey before serving.
- Use a tart apple variety like Honeycrisp or Granny Smith for balance.
- Crostini can be toasted ahead of time and assembled just before serving.
- Swap cranberry sauce for fig jam for a different flavor profile.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 crostini
- Calories: 90
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 120mg
- Fat: 4g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 11g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 10mg
Keywords: apple brie crostini, cranberry brie appetizer, holiday crostini, festive appetizer, French crostini