Pin it
The sweet-savory magic of these cherry goat cheese crostini will blow you away. Crunchy bread slices topped with fluffy goat cheese and juicy roasted cherries that pop with intense sweetness. I stumbled on this combo at a wine event and now it's my go-to summer starter. They look fancy enough for parties but they're easy enough to whip up just to make a regular night feel special.
I made these for friends in my backyard last week and everyone was shocked at how something so fancy-looking could be so straightforward. It's all about good ingredients and letting those cherries roast to perfection.
Key Ingredients
- Fresh or Frozen Cherries: Both options work great. For fresh ones, grab plump, dark cherries. Frozen cherries come already pitted which saves you time
- Goat Cheese: Go for something soft and creamy that'll blend well. I mix in some cream cheese too for extra creaminess
- Baguette: You'll want a nice crusty French one as your foundation. There are GF baguettes available if you need them
- Fresh Rosemary: It adds this wonderful woodsy flavor to the cherries. Fresh thyme makes a great substitute
Pin it
Detailed Instructions
- Cherry Preparation:
- Remove pits if using fresh cherries. Mix them with olive oil and some rosemary. Lay them out on a baking sheet with parchment. Pop them in the oven until they get soft and start to caramelize. Your kitchen will smell incredible.
- Cheese Mixture Creation:
- Put your softened goat cheese and cream cheese in a bowl. Grate in some lemon zest and squeeze in juice. Pour a bit of honey for sweetness. Beat it all up until it's airy and spreadable.
- Crostini Base:
- Cut your baguette at a slight angle. Brush olive oil on both sides. Toast them until they turn golden and get crispy. Let them cool a bit before you add toppings.
I first tasted something like these crostini at a tiny wine place in Provence. They served similar bites with local pink wine. Now I can't imagine summer gatherings without them.
Assembly Tricks
Getting the timing right makes all the difference with these. I've figured out you can make all the parts ahead but should wait to put them together until just before serving.
Watch Your Temps
The cheese spread tastes best at room temp while the cherries should be just slightly warm. If you made stuff earlier, let everything warm up before you start assembling.
Prep-Ahead Plan
I usually do everything the day of the party in the morning. Toast the bread, whip up the cheese, roast those cherries, then just put it all together right before people show up.
Fun Twists
Cherries are my top pick, but you can follow the same steps with roasted figs when fall comes around or juicy peaches in late summer.
Every time I put these crostini together, I'm reminded that simple ingredients, when you handle them with love, can turn into something amazing. They work for everything from casual wine nights to fancy celebrations, showing that sometimes the best appetizers just let good ingredients shine.
Pin it
Frequently Asked Questions
- → Can I prep these toasts early?
- Yes, goat cheese mix lasts 5 days, and cherries stay fresh for 3 days. Just put it together later.
- → Will frozen cherries work?
- Frozen cherries work just as well as fresh ones.
- → How do I store leftovers?
- Keep the roasted cherries refrigerated for up to 3 days. Store goat cheese mix for up to 5 days.
- → What’s a balsamic glaze replacement?
- Simmer regular balsamic vinegar to thicken it, or grab it pre-made from the store.
- → Are gluten-free options available?
- Of course! Swap baguettes for gluten-free bread.