Description
These Pear, Brie & Cranberry Crostini with Thyme-Infused Honey are an elegant and festive appetizer that combines creamy brie, sweet ripe pear, tart cranberry sauce, and crunchy toasted walnuts on toasted baguette slices. The thyme-infused honey drizzled on top adds a fragrant, velvety sweetness that perfectly balances the savory and fruity flavors. Ideal for holiday parties or cozy gatherings, this simple yet sophisticated recipe delivers a delightful bite every time.
Ingredients
Scale
Crostini Base
- 1 baguette, sliced into ½-inch rounds
- 2 tbsp olive oil
Toppings
- 200g brie cheese, sliced
- 1 ripe pear, thinly sliced
- ½ cup cranberry sauce or compote
- ½ cup toasted walnuts, roughly chopped
Thyme Honey
- 3 tbsp honey
- 1 tsp fresh thyme leaves
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 200°C (400°F) to prepare for toasting the bread slices.
- Prepare Crostini: Brush each baguette slice evenly with olive oil. Place them on a baking sheet and toast in the oven for 8–10 minutes or until golden and crisp.
- Add Brie: While the crostini are still warm, place a slice of brie cheese onto each toasted baguette round, allowing it to soften slightly.
- Layer Pear: Top each piece of brie with a thin slice of ripe pear to add sweetness and texture.
- Add Cranberry Sauce: Spoon a small dollop of cranberry sauce or compote over the pear layer.
- Sprinkle Walnuts: Scatter roughly chopped toasted walnuts on top for a nutty crunch.
- Make Thyme Honey: In a small saucepan, gently warm honey with fresh thyme leaves over low heat without boiling to infuse the honey with the herb’s aroma.
- Drizzle and Garnish: Just before serving, drizzle the thyme-infused honey generously over each crostini. Garnish with extra thyme leaves if desired.
- Serve: Serve the crostini warm or at room temperature for a perfect festive nibble.
Notes
- You can prepare the thyme-infused honey ahead and store it in a jar for up to a week.
- For a gluten-free version, substitute the baguette with gluten-free bread slices.
- Use fresh, ripe pears for the best flavor and texture contrast.
- Ensure the brie is at room temperature for easier melting over the warm bread.
- Optionally, substitute walnuts with pecans or almonds for a different nutty profile.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: French-inspired
Keywords: pear crostini, brie appetizer, cranberry sauce appetizer, thyme honey, holiday appetizers, festive snacks, easy baked crostini
