Blackberry Goat Cheese Crostini
This Blackberry Goat Cheese Crostini recipe is the appetizer of choice when you’re aiming for elegance and deliciousness. Wine-macerated blackberries, whipped goat cheese, and crisp baguette slices make this the perfect small bite to enjoy in between sips of champagne. Cheers!
Champagne glass in one hand (pinky out, of course), blackberry goat cheese crostini in the other, and you’re going to be feeling pretty darn fancy. Forget about the laundry waiting to be folded on the living room floor or the fact that your crostini was served on a leftover paper plate from Easter—this crostini recipe is enough to make anyone feel like an aristocrat.
The good news is that you don’t need to watch polo matches or employ a governess to enjoy these blackberry goat cheese crostini. This is a recipe that’s easy to whip up and certain to impress whenever you make it for a party or get-together. (Although I’ve been known to make a dinner out of crostini alone—I mean, how could you not with steak crostini?!) Just macerate the blackberries in red wine, make the goat cheese, and top the bread. So simple.
You’ll be rewarded with an elegant, delicious snack, with rich goat cheese balanced by bright, sweet berries, and crisp-crusty bread to bring it all together. I like to add some pistachios on top for crunch, or you can try one of the other variations listed below.
Ingredients for Blackberry Goat Cheese Crostini
Here’s a quick rundown of what you’ll need for this recipe. For the full measurements, scroll down to the recipe card.
- Blackberries – Juicy blackberries are the perfect fruit to use in this recipe! That said, if you want to try something different, I think plums would also work well with the red wine.
- Dry Red Wine – Like Cabernet Sauvignon or Pinot Noir. If you’re not sure, ask someone who works in the wine department for help. They’re usually overjoyed to talk wine with customers!
- Granulated Sugar – To bring out the sweetness of the berries.
- Goat Cheese – If you’re not a fan but you’re still intrigued by the idea of this crostini, I think ricotta would make a decent substitute (it’s in my Honey Ricotta Peach Crostini with Crispy Pancetta), as would feta if you want something a bit more assertive, or try mascarpone (also seen in this Roasted Balsamic Strawberry Crostini with Mascarpone Whipped Cream and Pistachios).
- Heavy Cream – For a creamy, spreadable consistency.
- Honey – Just a little bit to sweeten things up without making it TOO sweet.
- Cinnamon – The warm flavor of cinnamon is fabulous with the wine-soaked berries.
- Chopped Pistachios – A nice addition for a little extra crunch, nutty flavor, and visual interest.
For the Crostini
- Baguette – I like to use one that’s a day old so it’s already a bit dry. Soft bread doesn’t have the strength to support crostini toppings.
- Butter and Olive Oil – To make the bread crispy, and also to form a barrier between the bread and the topping. The fat coats the bread so the toppings don’t immediately soak in and make it soggy.
How to Make Blackberry Goat Cheese Crostini
This blackberry goat cheese crostini is excellent for a party because you can make the bread and spread ahead of time, macerate the berries 2 hours before the party, and assemble just as your guests are arriving. Here’s what you’ll need to do.
- Make the berries. Stir together the berries, wine, and sugar; marinate for 30 minutes or up to 2 hours.
- Prep the crostini. Slice the baguette and brush it with the oil and butter. Bake at 375ºF for 5 minutes, flip, and bake 3 to 4 minutes more until both sides are toasted.
- Make the goat cheese spread. Beat the goat cheese, cream, honey, and cinnamon in a mixing bowl.
- Assemble. Top the crostini with the goat cheese mixture and berries. Drizzle with the liquid from the bottom of the berry bowl and additional honey, then sprinkle with pistachios, if desired.
For more tips on making crostini, see: How to Make Crostini.
Tips for Making Blackberry Goat Cheese Crostini
This recipe is simple, but these tips will help make it perfect!
- Taste the berries. Some blackberries are sweeter than others! If yours are on the tart side, you may want to add a little bit of additional sugar.
- Don’t over-toast the crostini. You want it toasted, not rock hard, which can make the crostini unwieldy to eat.
- Avoid using too much cheese. Crostini recipes are all about balance—not just for flavor but for practical reasons. Too much goat cheese will make it difficult to eat the crostini without making a mess.
- Try other toppings. A drizzle of balsamic vinegar, sprigs of fresh mint or basil, a sprinkle of fresh thyme leaves, or even a sliver of honeycomb if you want to be really fancy—there are so many ways to put your own spin on this recipe!
What to Serve With Blackberry Goat Cheese Crostini
If you’re planning on making this crostini for a party, here are some recipes (and cocktails!) that would pair well with it.
- Mediterranean Orzo Salad
- Smoked Salmon Dip
- Honey Deuce Cocktail
- Slow Cooker Candied Nuts
- Spicy Marinated Olives
- Sparkling Lavender Orange Mimosa Cocktail
- Marinated Tomatoes
More Recipes With Goat Cheese
- Grilled Lamb Chops with Herb Goat Cheese Sauce
- Prune and Goat Cheese Stuffed Chicken Breast
- Goat Cheese Dill Potato Salad
- Cumin Spiced Roasted Potatoes with Goat Cheese Remoulade
- Easy Walnut Goat Cheese Bites
- Cinnamon Apple Walnut Goat Cheese Ball
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Get the Recipe: Blackberry Goat Cheese Crostini
Ingredients
- ½ cup blackberries
- ¼ cup dry red wine
- 1 teaspoon granulated sugar
- 4 ounces goat cheese
- 1 tablespoon heavy cream
- ½ tablespoon honey
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon
- 2 tablespoons chopped pistachios, optional
For the Crostini
- 1 Day old Baguette cut into 1/4 inch slices
- 2 tablespoons butter melted
- ¼ cup olive oil
Instructions
Make the berries:
- In a small bowl, mix together the berries, wine and sugar. Allow to sit for 30 minutes or up to 2 hours.
Make the crostini:
- Slice the baguette crosswise into 1/4 inch thick slices In a small bowl, stir together the butter and olive oil. Brush the oil mixture on both sides of the bread. Arrange the bread on a baking sheet. Bake at 375 degrees F (190 degrees C) for 5 minutes, or until lightly toasted. Flip and bake for an additional 3-4 minutes until toasted and crisp. Remove from the oven and cool to room temperature.
Make the goat cheese spread:
- In a medium bowl, add the goat cheese, cream, honey and cinnamon. Using a hand mixer, beat the ingredients together until smooth and well combined.
Assemble the crostini:
- Top each crostini with 1 teaspoon goat cheese mixture and a few berries. Drizzle with the wine mixture.
- Drizzle with honey and sprinkle with pistachios before serving, if desired.