Description

This easy goat cheese crostini features fresh blackberries - perfect for summer entertaining!

Ingredients

Scale

FOR THE WHIPPED GOAT CHEESE:

2 ounces cream cheese
8 ounces goat cheese
2 teaspoons extra virgin olive oil
salt to taste

FOR THE CROSTINI:

1 baguette, sliced
3 Tablespoons olive oil
6 ounces fresh blackberries
1/3 cup fresh basil, sliced (you can eyeball this - just grab a big handful of basil leaves!)
1/4 cup honey
zest of 1 lime (optional, for garnish; you won't need to juice the lime for this recipe, so use a microplane to shave off the zest and save the lime itself for later!)

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Instructions

MAKE THE WHIPPED GOAT CHEESE:

Crumble cream cheese, goat cheese, and salt into the bowl of a food processor. Pulse several times to break up and soften any chunks, then scrape down the sides of the bowl. Add olive oil and blend until cheese is creamy and smooth. about 1 minute. Set aside.

ASSEMBLE THE CROSTINI:

Lay baguette slices in a single layer on a large sheet pan. Drizzle with olive oil and bake at 375° Fahrenheit for 4-7 minutes or until lightly toasted.
Top crostini pieces with a spoonful of whipped goat cheese, then press a few fresh blackberries into the cheese to help them stay put. Top with fresh basil, a drizzle of honey, and a pinch of lime zest. Serve immediately.

Notes

Additions and substitutions. Use raspberries, peaches, figs, blueberries, strawberries, or roasted beets in place of the blackberries. If berries are out of season around you, use a spoonful of good jam instead of opting for whole frozen berries (these crostini are just better with fresh berries!) Use feta or ricotta in place of the goat cheese (they're both delicious in this creamy whipped cheese spread!) Skip the whipped cheese if you're short on time: use regular fresh mozzarella, burrata, ricotta, or brie instead. Use any fresh herbs you like - we love basil, but rosemary is also delicious here.

What kind of bread should I use? Use baguette slices for appetizer sized portions, or toast up some sourdough or crusty bread for larger pieces. Toast larger bread slices in the toaster (without olive oil) or cook them on the grill if you want to skip the oven.

Add extra flavor to your honey by warming it with a sprig of fresh rosemary in a small saucepan over very low heat for 10 minutes or so. You want it to warm up, but not simmer. The rosemary seeps into the honey and adds so much depth and flavor!

You can make the whipped goat cheese ahead of time - just store it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days until you're ready to use it.