Brie Cranberry Crostini Recipe

Baguette: A French bread that is sliced into ½ inch pieces to create the base for the crostini.

Cranberry sauce: A sweet and tangy sauce made from cranberries, adding a burst of flavor to the crostini.

Vegan brie: A plant-based alternative to traditional brie cheese, offering a creamy texture and rich taste.

Olive oil: Used to brush the baguette slices, helping them to become golden and crispy when baked.

Rosemary: Freshly chopped herb that adds a fragrant and earthy note to the crostini.

To achieve the perfect texture for your baguette slices, make sure to brush them evenly with olive oil before baking. This ensures they turn out golden and crispy. Additionally, when slicing the vegan brie, use a sharp knife dipped in hot water to get clean, smooth cuts. This will make it easier to place the brie on the crostini and create an appealing presentation.

• French baguette - Substitute with sourdough bread: Sourdough bread has a similar texture and can be sliced into pieces that work well for crostini.

• Cranberry sauce - Substitute with fig jam: Fig jam provides a sweet and slightly tart flavor that complements the other ingredients similarly to cranberry sauce.

• Vegan brie - Substitute with cashew cheese: Cashew cheese has a creamy texture and rich flavor that mimics the characteristics of vegan brie.

• Olive oil - Substitute with avocado oil: Avocado oil has a high smoke point and a mild flavor, making it a good alternative for drizzling over the crostini.

• Fresh rosemary - Substitute with fresh thyme: Fresh thyme offers a similar aromatic quality and pairs well with the other ingredients in the recipe.

• Allow the crostini to cool completely before storing. This prevents condensation, which can make the baguette slices soggy.
• Place the crostini in an airtight container. If stacking, separate layers with parchment paper to avoid sticking.
• Store in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The vegan brie and cranberry sauce will stay fresh and flavorful.
• For longer storage, freeze the crostini:
  1. Arrange the cooled crostini on a baking sheet in a single layer.
  2. Freeze for 1-2 hours until solid. This prevents them from sticking together.
  3. Transfer the frozen crostini to a freezer-safe container or bag, separating layers with parchment paper.
  4. Label with the date and freeze for up to 2 months.
• To reheat, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Place the frozen crostini on a baking sheet and bake for 10-12 minutes until heated through and crispy.

• Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Arrange the leftover crostini on a baking sheet. Bake for 5-10 minutes until the vegan brie is melty and the baguette is warmed through.
• For a quicker method, use a toaster oven set to 350°F (175°C). Place the crostini inside and heat for 5-7 minutes until the vegan brie is soft and the baguette is crispy.
• If you prefer using a microwave, place the crostini on a microwave-safe plate. Heat on medium power for 30-45 seconds. Be cautious, as the baguette might not stay as crispy.
• For an air fryer, preheat to 350°F (175°C). Arrange the crostini in a single layer and heat for 3-5 minutes until the vegan brie is gooey and the baguette is crunchy.
• To reheat on the stovetop, use a non-stick skillet over medium heat. Place the crostini in the skillet, cover with a lid, and heat for 3-5 minutes until the vegan brie is melted and the baguette is warm.

• Oven: Used to preheat to 375°F (190°C) and bake the baguette slices until golden and crispy.

• Baking sheet: Holds the baguette slices while they bake in the oven.

• Pastry brush: Used to brush olive oil onto the baguette slices.

• Knife: Slices the baguette into ½ inch pieces and cuts the vegan brie.

• Cutting board: Provides a surface for slicing the baguette and vegan brie.

• Spoon: Adds a spoonful of cranberry sauce to each baguette slice.

• Measuring cup: Measures 1 cup of cranberry sauce.

• Measuring spoon: Measures 1 tablespoon of olive oil and 1 tablespoon of chopped fresh rosemary.

• Serving platter: Displays the finished crostini for serving.

Pre-slice the baguette: Slice the baguette ahead of time and store in an airtight container to save time.

Use store-bought cranberry sauce: Opt for store-bought cranberry sauce to cut down on preparation time.

Preheat the oven early: Start preheating your oven while you gather ingredients to streamline the process.

Prep toppings in advance: Slice the vegan brie and chop the rosemary beforehand to make assembly quicker.

Batch bake the crostini: Bake all baguette slices at once to save time on multiple batches.