Delicate slices of toasted bread embrace a luxurious crostini with creamy brie that promises a symphony of flavors.
The golden-brown edges crisp up perfectly to cradle the rich cheese.
Tangy balsamic-soaked cranberries add a vibrant burst of sweetness to each bite.
These elegant appetizers blend rustic charm with sophisticated taste.
Elegant yet simple, they require minimal ingredients but deliver maximum impact.
Guests will be impressed by this stunning combination of textures and bright, bold flavors.
Serve these irresistible morsels and watch them disappear in moments.
Quick Recipe Overview
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Calories: 150 kcal
Servings: 13
What You’ll Need for Brie Cranberry Crostini
For Bread Base:
Baguette: Crisp canvas for toppings, choose fresh artisan loaf with golden crust and soft interior.
Olive Oil: Provides golden crunch and rich flavor, select extra virgin for best taste.
For Flavor Enhancers:
Balsamic Vinegar: Adds tangy complexity, look for aged dark variety with deep, rich color.
Honey: Balances tartness and adds silky sweetness, select raw local honey for deeper flavor profile.
Salt and Pepper: Elevates overall taste, use freshly ground black pepper for robust seasoning.
For Topping and Garnish:
Cranberries: Creates sweet-tart burst, select plump, firm berries with vibrant deep red color.
Brie Cheese: Delivers creamy, luxurious texture, choose soft wheel with smooth white rind.
Fresh Thyme: Provides aromatic herbal note, select bright green sprigs with strong fragrance.
Tools That Help Craft the Perfect Holiday Crostini
Baking Sheet: Essential for toasting baguette slices and roasting cranberries evenly.
Mixing Bowl: Perfect for combining cranberries with balsamic vinegar and honey.
Pastry Brush: Ideal for evenly coating baguette slices with olive oil.
Sharp Knife: Needed for slicing baguette and cutting brie cheese.
Oven Mitts: Crucial for safely handling hot baking sheets.
Spoon: Helpful for spreading roasted cranberries on crostinis.
Cutting Board: Useful for preparing ingredients and slicing bread.
How to Assemble Brie and Cranberry Crostini
Oven Preparation Warm your oven to a toasty 375°F, creating the perfect environment for transforming simple ingredients into a delightful appetizer.
Bread Foundation Slice a fresh baguette into delicate rounds, brushing each piece with golden olive oil to ensure a crisp and inviting texture.
Bread Transformation Slide the bread slices into the oven, allowing them to turn a gorgeous golden brown and develop a satisfying crunch in about 8-10 minutes.
Cranberry Magic In a separate bowl, marry tart cranberries with rich balsamic vinegar and sweet honey, creating a complex flavor profile that will dance on taste buds.
Cranberry Roasting Spread the cranberry mixture onto a baking sheet, letting the oven work its magic for 10-12 minutes until the berries soften and release their intense flavors.
Cheese Melting Moment Top each crispy bread slice with a generous slice of creamy brie, returning to the oven briefly to create a luscious, slightly melted layer.
Final Flourish Crown each warm brie-topped crostini with a spoonful of roasted cranberries and a delicate sprig of fresh thyme, transforming simple ingredients into an elegant bite-sized delicacy.
Flavor Swaps for a Unique Crostini Bite
Swap brie for creamy goat cheese or sharp blue cheese to create unique flavor profiles that surprise your taste buds.
Add orange zest or a splash of port wine to the cranberry mixture for deeper, more complex sweet-tart notes that complement the cheese perfectly.
Prepare crostini bases and roasted cranberries up to two days in advance, storing separately in airtight containers to save time during party prep.
Toast baguette slices slightly longer for extra crunch or brush with garlic-infused olive oil to add an aromatic layer of flavor to your appetizer.
Select a crisp white wine like Sauvignon Blanc or a light Pinot Noir to beautifully balance the rich cheese and tangy cranberry topping.
How to Serve This Brie Cranberry Appetizer
Pair with Festive Appetizer Spread: Create a holiday-worthy appetizer board featuring these crostinis alongside other small bites like charcuterie, olives, and nuts for a stunning presentation that will impress guests.
Serve as Elegant Cocktail Party Bite: Perfect for holiday gatherings or wine nights, these crostinis make an elegant finger food that pairs beautifully with sparkling wine or a crisp white wine.
Elevate Brunch with Gourmet Touch: Transform a weekend brunch by adding these crostinis as a sophisticated starter, complementing egg dishes or as part of a light morning spread.
Create Make-Ahead Party Prep: Prepare components in advance – toast crostinis, roast cranberries, and slice brie – then quickly assemble just before serving to reduce last-minute kitchen stress.
Keeping Crostini Fresh Before Guests Arrive
Maximize Freshness: Store assembled crostinis immediately before serving to maintain crispy texture and prevent soggy bread. Enjoy within 1-2 hours of preparation for optimal taste and crunch.
Refrigerate Strategically: Keep roasted cranberry mixture and baked crostinis separately in airtight containers. Separately stored components will stay fresh in the refrigerator for up to 3 days, allowing quick assembly when needed.
Reheat with Care: Warm pre-baked crostinis in a toaster oven or regular oven at 350°F for 2-3 minutes to restore crispiness. Add fresh brie and cranberries just before serving to ensure maximum flavor and texture.
Freeze Smart Components: Freeze plain baked crostinis in a sealed freezer bag for up to 2 weeks. Thaw at room temperature and crisp in the oven before topping with cheese and cranberries for a quick appetizer solution.
Elegant crostini showcases brie and balsamic cranberries as a sophisticated appetizer that balances rich cheese with tangy fruit. Guests will savor this simple yet impressive small plate perfect for holiday gatherings or casual entertaining.
Ingredients
Scale
8 oz (226 g) brie cheese, sliced
1 cup (150 g) fresh cranberries
1 baguette, sliced into 0.5 inches (1.27 cm)
2 tbsps balsamic vinegar
2 tbsps honey
olive oil (for brushing)
salt, to taste
pepper, to taste
fresh thyme sprigs (for garnish)
Instructions
Preparation: Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C), positioning racks to ensure even heat distribution for crisp crostini and roasted cranberries.
Bread Transformation: Slice baguette into uniform pieces, arranging on a baking sheet and brushing generously with olive oil to achieve a golden, crunchy texture; bake for 8-10 minutes until edges turn crisp and bronzed.
Cranberry Infusion: Combine whole cranberries with balsamic vinegar, honey, salt, and black pepper in a mixing bowl, then spread onto a separate baking sheet and roast for 10-12 minutes until fruits soften and burst, intensifying their sweet-tart essence.
Cheese Melting: Once crostini cool slightly, layer each piece with a delicate slice of brie cheese, returning to the oven for 2-3 minutes to create a luxuriously molten topping.
Elegant Finish: Crown the warm, cheese-laden crostini with the roasted balsamic cranberries and garnish with a delicate sprig of fresh thyme, elevating the appetizer with an aromatic flourish.
Notes
Bread Slice Perfection: Cut baguette slices uniformly, about 1/4 inch thick, to ensure even toasting and consistent crunch.
Oil Brushing Technique: Use high-quality olive oil and brush generously but lightly to prevent soggy bread and achieve golden-brown edges.
Cranberry Roasting Tip: Watch carefully during roasting to prevent burning; berries should burst and caramelize without turning bitter.
Cheese Melting Secrets: Use room temperature brie for smooth melting and remove from oven when just softened to maintain creamy texture.
The French Culinary Institute (now part of the International Culinary Center)
Program: Classic Culinary Arts
Focus: An intensive curriculum rooted in classical French techniques, artisanal bread production, and contemporary culinary methods.
Michael Rivera is a seasoned chef and culinary instructor based in San Francisco, CA. Trained in Classic Culinary Arts at The French Culinary Institute, he refined his skills in Michelin-starred kitchens, mastering classic French techniques and artisanal bread baking.
Passionate about making gourmet methods accessible, Michael co-founded thatsmyhome.com to share his expertise through interactive online lessons and innovative, plant-based recipes. He loves blending traditional techniques with modern ideas, encouraging home cooks to enjoy the art of cooking in a relaxed, fun environment.
Michael Rivera
Co-Founder & Culinary Instructor
Expertise
Education
The French Culinary Institute (now part of the International Culinary Center)
Michael Rivera is a seasoned chef and culinary instructor based in San Francisco, CA. Trained in Classic Culinary Arts at The French Culinary Institute, he refined his skills in Michelin-starred kitchens, mastering classic French techniques and artisanal bread baking.
Passionate about making gourmet methods accessible, Michael co-founded thatsmyhome.com to share his expertise through interactive online lessons and innovative, plant-based recipes. He loves blending traditional techniques with modern ideas, encouraging home cooks to enjoy the art of cooking in a relaxed, fun environment.