Indulge your senses with our exquisite Brown Sugar Strawberry Crostinis – a perfectly balanced sweet treat that promises to be the star of any gathering. Imagine a crisp, lightly browned slice of baguette, kissed with fragrant coconut oil, generously slathered with a luscious brown sugar cream cheese spread, then crowned with a vibrant medley of sweet, juicy strawberries, and finally, finished with an elegant chocolate drizzle. This delightful appetizer or dessert is a symphony of textures and flavors, offering a sophisticated yet utterly comforting experience.
We are absolutely thrilled to introduce our very first recipe submitted by one of our incredible readers! For years, we’ve cherished our community and the personal connections we’ve built, often turning to your wisdom even before consulting search engines (sorry, Google!). These delightful Brown Sugar Strawberry Crostinis mark the beginning of many fantastic recipes that will come directly from all of you, reflecting the diverse culinary talents within our extended family.
Last month, we opened submissions for our “Featured on Oh Sweet Basil” series, and the response was overwhelming with a fantastic array of your favorite recipes. Among the many gems, one submission from Kerri immediately caught our eye, and we instantly fell head over heels for her unique take on Brown Sugar Strawberry Crostinis. It’s truly a testament to the fact that some of the most extraordinary culinary discoveries come from the heart of our community.
What’s truly amusing about this recipe is its unassuming nature. Kerri shared the charming anecdote of its creation: “I made this on a whim for a baby shower, and everyone absolutely raved about it! Then, they all insisted I make them for our little 4th of July shindig. That time around, I actually paid attention to my measurements and wrote it all down.” Any dish that elicits such an enthusiastic response from a crowd, especially at a baby shower, immediately lands on our must-try list. In our experience, those are always the best kinds of food, so as soon as Kerri’s email arrived, we rushed to the store the very next day to give this sensational recipe a whirl.
Brown Sugar Strawberry Crostinis: A Versatile Delight
Kerri’s Brown Sugar Strawberry Crostinis effortlessly bridge the gap between a sweet appetizer and a delicate dessert, making them wonderfully adaptable for any occasion. Each bite offers a delightful contrast: a perfectly crisp slice of toasted baguette, generously layered with a smooth and creamy brown sugar-infused cream cheese. This rich base is then crowned with a generous spoonful of macerated, sweetened chopped strawberries, culminating in a burst of fresh, vibrant flavor. While a final topping adds an extra touch of indulgence, these crostinis are equally delicious and satisfying with just the berries, especially if you’re short on time.
Unleashing Your Creativity: What to Top Crostinis With
Beyond its surprising simplicity, the true charm of this recipe lies in its incredible versatility. The crostini base and the brown sugar cream cheese are a blank canvas, inviting you to experiment with an array of fresh berries and exciting toppings. Feel free to explore your preferences and seasonal availability:
- Blueberries: Offer a sweet-tart burst, beautiful deep color.
- Blackberries: Add a sophisticated, slightly tart note.
- Raspberries: Deliver a delicate tang and a soft texture.
- Strawberries: The classic choice, perfectly sweet and juicy.
- A Combination of Berries: Create a colorful and flavorful mixed berry crostini.
Elevate Your Strawberry Crostinis with Exquisite Toppings
Once you’ve chosen your berries, the possibilities for enhancing your strawberry crostinis are endless. These optional additions can transform your crostinis from simply delicious to truly extraordinary:
- Chocolate Drizzle: A timeless pairing with strawberries, adding a touch of decadent sweetness.
- Powdered Sugar: A delicate dusting for an elegant finish and subtle sweetness.
- Honey: A natural sweetener that complements the fruit beautifully.
- Whipped Cream: For an airy, creamy texture and a classic dessert feel.
- Balsamic Glaze (Reduction): A sophisticated choice that adds a wonderful sweet and tangy contrast.
- White Chocolate: Offers a creamy, milder chocolate flavor that pairs wonderfully with berries.
Isn’t that just wonderful? We’re absolutely serious when we say these Brown Sugar Strawberry Crostinis have become our new go-to party food. In fact, they’re practically our new everyday craving! They are undeniably mouth-watering, offering an experience that transcends a simple snack. There’s a secret ingredient that elevates them to a truly magical level, and we’re convinced it’s the subtle yet transformative effect of brushing the bread with coconut oil instead of traditional olive oil. While it imparts no discernible coconut flavor, it contributes a mysterious “something” that makes each bite utterly dreamy. This, combined with the smooth, sweet cream cheese and those vibrant, juicy berries, creates a match made in culinary heaven.
What Exactly is Crostini?
At its heart, “Crostini” is an Italian term meaning “little toasts.” These are small, thinly sliced pieces of bread that are toasted until crisp, typically served as an appetizer. They provide a perfect, crunchy base for a wide variety of toppings, from savory spreads and cheeses to sweet fruits and creams, making them incredibly versatile for entertaining.
The Art of Making Crostini
Creating perfect crostini is a simple yet rewarding process. It begins with selecting an artisan bread, most commonly a baguette, which is then sliced into uniform pieces. Each slice is lightly brushed with a touch of oil or butter – in our case, the magical coconut oil – and then carefully browned under a broiler (or in the oven) until it achieves a beautiful, golden crispness. Once cooled, these little toasts are ready to be served alongside dips, stacked with gourmet toppings, or, as in this recipe, transformed into a delightful sweet treat.
Choosing the Best Bread for Crostini
Many home cooks wonder about the ideal bread for crostini. Since crostini are designed to be small, crisp bites, often serving as an appetizer or a dessert like our Brown Sugar Strawberry Crostinis, the choice of bread is crucial. Baguettes consistently make the best crostini. Their slender shape allows for small, manageable slices that crisp up beautifully in the oven or under the broiler, providing the perfect bite-sized foundation for your toppings. While the process is straightforward, a crucial tip is to keep a close eye on them while toasting. Baguette slices are small and can go from perfectly golden to burnt in a matter of seconds, a mistake we’ve all made at least a few times!
How Many Crostini from One Baguette?
When preparing crostini for guests, estimating the yield from a single baguette can sometimes be tricky, as not all baguettes are created equal. Some bakeries offer generously sized baguettes that can yield up to 60 thin, 1/4-inch slices, while others are half that size, providing only 20-30 slices. The exact number also depends on your preferred slice thickness. We’ve found that cutting the slices slightly thicker (closer to 1/2-inch) creates a more satisfying chew and a sturdier base for toppings, though this will naturally result in fewer pieces per baguette. Always consider the size of your baguette and adjust accordingly to ensure you have enough for your guests.
Optimal Crostini Storage
To keep your toasted crostini perfectly crisp, proper storage is key. Once cooled completely, crostini should be stored in an airtight, resealable bag or container. The goal is to protect them from moisture, which can quickly turn them soggy and diminish their delightful crunch. Avoid storing them in areas with high humidity.
Crostini Shelf Life
When stored correctly in an airtight container at room temperature, toasted crostini will remain fresh and crisp for up to one week. Beyond this period, the bread will begin to stale and lose its desirable texture, so it’s best to use them within this timeframe for optimal enjoyment.
Can Crostini Be Made Ahead of Time?
Making appetizers or desserts involving crostini isn’t overly complicated, but sometimes, preparing components in advance can significantly ease party-day stress, allowing you to truly enjoy your celebration. So, can you make crostini ahead of time? Absolutely! The toasted bread itself can be prepared a few days prior to your event and stored properly as described above. However, a word of caution: while crostini toast stores well, any recipe involving fresh toppings (especially juicy ones like these strawberries) is always best enjoyed immediately after assembly to prevent the bread from becoming soggy. If possible, toast the bread ahead, but assemble the crostinis on the morning of, or just before serving, for the freshest and most delicious results.
Can Crostini Be Frozen?
Expanding on make-ahead strategies, you might wonder if crostini can be frozen. The answer is yes, with a few simple steps to ensure they remain crisp upon thawing. To freeze crostini, first allow them to cool completely after toasting. This prevents any residual steam from creating ice crystals in the freezer bag. Once thoroughly cooled, place the crostini in a freezer-safe bag, gently press out as much air as possible, and then seal. For an extra layer of protection against freezer burn, you can wrap the entire bag in aluminum foil. Frozen crostini will keep well for up to three weeks. To enjoy, simply defrost them at room temperature; they should retain their delightful crispness.
More Delicious Appetizer RECIPES
If you’re looking for more appetizer inspiration beyond dips and chips, we have a fantastic collection of creative and crowd-pleasing options. Make sure to try some of our other favorites:
- Philly Cheesesteak Eggrolls: A savory and satisfying bite with a delightful crunch.
- Lemon Dill Cucumber Sandwiches: Light, refreshing, and perfect for a spring or summer gathering.
- Bacon Tomato Avocado Crostini: A savory crostini option packed with fresh flavors.
- Strawberry and Blue Cheese Pizettes: An unexpected yet delicious combination of sweet and savory.
Brown Sugar Strawberry Crostinis
By Sweet Basil
Prep Time: 30 mins
Cook Time: 5 mins
Total Time: 35 mins
Servings: 30 pieces
A lightly browned slice of bread that’s been brushed with coconut oil, an indulgent smear of brown sugar cream cheese, juicy, sweet strawberries and a chocolate drizzle for Brown Sugar Strawberry Crostinis.
Ingredients
- 2 lbs fresh Strawberries
- 1 Tablespoon Sugar
- Coconut Oil
- 1 Baguette, cut into 1/4-1/2″ slices
- 4 Ounces Cream Cheese, softened to room temperature
- 3 Tablespoons Brown Sugar
- 3 Tablespoons Powdered Sugar
- 1 teaspoon Vanilla
- Toppings of Choice (chocolate, powdered sugar, whipped cream etc)
Instructions
- Chop the strawberries into small pieces and place them a bowl with about a tablespoon of white sugar. Stir to coat the strawberries. Let them sit in the refrigerator to macerate for 15-60 minutes.
- Set your oven to High Broil. Spread coconut oil on both sides of each slice of baguette.
- Set all the pieces of bread on a cookie sheet in one layer. Broil them on the first side for about 3-4 minutes or until golden brown. Then flip them over and broil the other side for an additional 2-3 minutes or until golden brown. Set them aside to cool completely.
- Blend together the cream cheese, brown sugar, powdered sugar, and vanilla until smooth and creamy.
- Once the toasted baguettes are completely cooled, spread some cream cheese mixture onto each piece. Then top each piece with a spoonful of strawberries. *I recommend using a slotted spoon to drain off the juice from the strawberries.
- Top with a drizzle of your favorite kind of chocolate, or dust with powdered sugar, or just leave them plain.
- These are best when they are made immediately before serving. If they sit too long, they will start to get soggy.
Recipe Notes
We found it even easier to use melted coconut oil with a pastry brush. It was hot in our kitchen so the second batch was coconut oil that had melted on its own and it was super easy.
Nutrition
Serving: 1g, Calories: 55kcal, Carbohydrates: 9g, Protein: 1g, Fat: 2g, Saturated Fat: 1g, Cholesterol: 4mg, Sodium: 64mg, Potassium: 62mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 4g, Vitamin A: 54IU, Vitamin C: 18mg, Calcium: 16mg, Iron: 1mg
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Did you love this recipe? We’d love to hear your thoughts! Please feel free to leave a comment below and share your experience.
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