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Goat Cheese Crostini

These crispy goat cheese crostini are topped with thinly sliced ham, wine-soaked cherries, fresh thyme and drizzled with honey.

They’re sweet, salty and just a little boozy and make for the perfect appetizer!

A front shot of goat cheese crostinis.

How to make goat cheese crostini

  • Dried cherries or cranberries: You’ll soak these in wine so they become plump and juicy.
  • Wine: A sweet red or dessert wine works perfectly for soaking the dried fruit.
  • Baguette: To be sliced and baked into crispy little toasts.
  • Goat cheese: That tangy, creamy goodness to smear on each toast.
  • Smoked ham: Thinly sliced and stacked.
  • Nuts: Crushed and sprinkled to add nuttiness and texture.
  • Thyme: Fresh, pulled from the twigs.
  • Honey: A little drizzle adds some sweetness to balance out the tang and saltiness.
A side shot of a platter of goat cheese crostinis.

Step-by-Step Instructions

  1. Place the dried cherries and wine in a jar fitted with a lid.
  2. If the wine doesn’t cover the cherries, add a little water.
  3. Allow the cherries to soak for 2 or more hours, until cherries are plump. Drain.
  4. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees.
  5. Place baguette slices on a baking sheet and drizzle with olive oil.
  6. Sprinkle with coarse salt. Bake in the oven for 7-8 minutes, until crisp. Allow to cool.
  7. Spread a thick layer of goat cheese on each crostini.
  8. Top each with a slice of thin ham, a tablespoon of wine-soaked cherries, a few nuts and a few thyme leaves.
  9. Drizzle each crostini with teaspoon of honey.
  10. Place on a platter and serve.
An overhead shot of goat cheese crostinis on a platter.

Recipe Substitutions and Alterations

  • For the dried fruit: Your favorite dried fruit will work, such as cranberries, cherries, blueberries or even chopped apricots.
  • For the wine: Any sweet red or dessert wine works.
    • If you’re looking for non-alcoholic, you can use cranberry juice.
  • For the baguette: A French or whole grain baguette will work.
    • Or you can buy premade toasts at the supermarket.
  • For the goat cheese: Try with cream cheese, mascarpone or ricotta.
  • For the smoked ham: Swap for prosciutto.
  • For the nuts: Any crushed nuts or seeds, such as walnuts, pecans, almonds or pepitas.
A front shot of a platter of goat cheese crostinis.

Nutrition Considerations

  • To make these gluten free: Use a gluten free baguette to make the crostini.
    • Be sure all other ingredients are gluten free.
  • To make these dairy free: Use a dairy free cream cheese spread instead of goat cheese.
  • To make these vegan: Use a plant-based cream cheese spread instead of goat cheese and skip the ham.
  • To make these nut free: Skip the nuts.
    • Be sure all other ingredients are nut free.
  • To make these egg free: This recipe does not contain eggs.
A side shot of a platter of goat cheese crostinis.

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Goat Cheese Crostini

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Crispy crostini topped with goat cheese, ham, wine-soaked cherries and fresh thyme.

  • Author: Julie Andrews
  • Prep Time: 10-15 mins
  • Cook Time: 8-10 mins
  • Total Time: 18-25 mins
  • Yield: Serves 8
  • Category: Appetizer
  • Method: No-Cook, Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Units Scale
  • 1/2 cup unsweetened dried cherries or cranberries
  • 1/2 cup cherry wine or sweet red wine
  • 1 baguette, sliced 1/2-1 inch thick
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • Dash coarse salt
  • 4ounces creamy goat cheese
  • 2ounces smoked ham, thinly sliced
  • 1/4 cup unsalted nuts, crushed
  • 1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves
  • 2 tablespoons honey

Instructions

  1. Place the dried cherries and wine in a jar fitted with a lid. If the wine doesn’t cover the cherries, add a little water.
  2. Allow the cherries to soak for 2 or more hours, until cherries are plump. Drain.
  3. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees.
  4. Place baguette slices on a baking sheet and drizzle with olive oil.Sprinkle with coarse salt. Bake in the oven for 7-8 minutes, until crisp. Allow to cool.
  5. Spread a thick layer of goat cheese on each crostini. Top each with a slice of thin ham, a tablespoon of wine-soaked cherries, a few nuts and a few thyme leaves.Drizzle each crostini with teaspoon of honey.
  6. Place on a platter and serve.

Notes

Substitution Tip: Use any dried fruit.

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1/8 of recipe
  • Calories: 183
  • Sugar: 9g
  • Sodium: 95mg
  • Fat: 7g
  • Saturated Fat: 3g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 4g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 22g
  • Fiber: 1g
  • Protein: 6g
  • Cholesterol: 13mg

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