Cranberry Apple Brie Crostini – The Ultimate Festive Appetizer

If the holidays had a flavor, it would be this: Cranberry Apple Brie Crostini. Sweet, tangy, creamy, and perfectly crisp — these bite-sized beauties combine all the best seasonal flavors into one irresistible appetizer.

Whether you’re hosting Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, or a cozy wine night, this crostini recipe is everything a holiday bite should be: elegant, easy, and absolutely delicious. With warm toasted baguette slices, melty Brie cheese, a tart cranberry-apple topping, and a drizzle of honey, it’s festive flavor harmony in every bite.

Let’s dive into how to make this show-stopping party snack that’ll make your guests think you hired a caterer — when in reality, you whipped it up in under 25 minutes.

Why You’ll Love This Cranberry Apple Brie Crostini

• 🎄 Festive & gorgeous: It’s the perfect blend of color and texture for any holiday table.
• 🧀 Easy but impressive: Minimal ingredients, big payoff.
• 🍎 Seasonal flavors: Crisp apples, tart cranberries, creamy Brie — total flavor balance.
• 💕 Crowd-pleaser: Pairs beautifully with wine or cocktails, and everyone grabs seconds.
• ⏰ Quick to make: Ready in less than 30 minutes from start to finish.

Ingredients

For the Crostini:

• 1 baguette, sliced into ½-inch rounds
• 2 tablespoons butter, melted
• 8 ounces Brie cheese, sliced into thin pieces

For the Cranberry Apple Topping:

• 1 tablespoon butter
• 1 small apple, diced (Honeycrisp or Gala work great)
• ½ cup fresh cranberries (or use dried if out of season)
• 2 tablespoons brown sugar
• 1 tablespoon honey (plus extra for drizzling)
• 1 tablespoon orange juice or apple cider
• ¼ teaspoon cinnamon
• Pinch of salt

Optional Garnish:

• Fresh rosemary or thyme leaves
• Extra honey drizzle

Instructions

1. Toast the baguette:
   Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Arrange baguette slices on a baking sheet and brush lightly with melted butter. Toast for 6–8 minutes, or until golden and crisp. Set aside.
2. Make the cranberry apple topping:
   In a small skillet, melt 1 tablespoon of butter over medium heat. Add diced apple and cook for 2 minutes until slightly softened. Stir in cranberries, brown sugar, honey, orange juice, cinnamon, and a pinch of salt. Simmer for 5–7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the cranberries burst and the mixture thickens into a jammy texture. Remove from heat and let cool slightly.
3. Assemble the crostini:
   Place a slice of Brie on each toasted baguette round. Spoon a small amount of warm cranberry-apple topping over the cheese.
4. Melt & finish:
   Return the assembled crostini to the oven for 3–4 minutes — just until the Brie starts to soften and melt slightly.
5. Garnish and serve:
   Remove from oven, drizzle lightly with honey, and sprinkle with fresh rosemary or thyme leaves for an aromatic finish. Serve immediately while warm and gooey.

Cranberry Apple Brie Crostini

A festive and elegant appetizer featuring warm toasted baguette topped with creamy Brie, sweet-tart cranberry apple compote, and a drizzle of honey.

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Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 15 minutes mins

Total Time 25 minutes mins

Servings: 12 pieces

Course: Appetizer, Snack

Cuisine: American, Holiday

Calories: 150

Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients

  

Crostini Base

• 1 baguette sliced into ½-inch rounds
• 2 tbsp butter melted
• 8 oz Brie cheese thinly sliced

Cranberry Apple Topping

• 1 tbsp butter
• 1 small apple diced
• 0.5 cup cranberries fresh or dried
• 2 tbsp brown sugar
• 1 tbsp honey plus extra for drizzling
• 1 tbsp orange juice or apple cider
• 0.25 tsp cinnamon
• 1 pinch salt

Equipment

• Baking sheet
• Skillet
• Small saucepan
• Spatula

Method

 

1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Arrange baguette slices on a baking sheet and brush with melted butter. Toast 6–8 minutes until golden.
2. In a small skillet, melt butter and sauté diced apples for 2 minutes.
3. Add cranberries, brown sugar, honey, orange juice, cinnamon, and salt. Simmer until cranberries burst and mixture thickens.
4. Place Brie slices on toasted baguette, spoon cranberry apple mixture on top.
5. Bake again for 3–4 minutes until Brie softens. Drizzle with honey and garnish with rosemary.

Notes

Cranberry apple topping can be made 2 days ahead. Serve warm for best flavor.

Tips for the Perfect Crostini

• Don’t over-toast the bread. You want it crisp but still slightly chewy in the middle for that perfect bite.
• Use quality Brie. Creamy, mild Brie melts beautifully and balances the tart topping.
• Make the topping ahead. The cranberry-apple mixture can be prepared a day in advance and reheated before serving.
• Add texture. A sprinkle of chopped nuts like pecans or walnuts adds crunch and contrast.
• Drizzle strategically. Warm honey makes the flavors pop — drizzle just before serving for the best presentation.

Flavor Variations

• 🍯 Go savory: Replace honey with a balsamic glaze and sprinkle sea salt for a gourmet twist.
• 🍇 Use other fruit: Try pear and cranberry or fig and apple for a new seasonal combo.
• 🌿 Herb it up: Use thyme, rosemary, or sage in the topping for a deeper flavor.
• 🧀 Different cheese: Swap Brie for Camembert, goat cheese, or even triple cream cheese.
• 🥖 Alternate bread: Ciabatta or sourdough rounds work perfectly too.

Serving Suggestions

These crostini are perfect for:

• Holiday parties and wine nights
• Thanksgiving and Christmas appetizer spreads
• Charcuterie boards
• Brunch buffets or festive potlucks

Pair them with a crisp white wine like Sauvignon Blanc, a sparkling rosé, or a festive holiday punch. For non-alcoholic pairings, a spiced apple cider or cranberry spritzer makes a delightful match.

Storage & Make-Ahead Tips

• Make ahead: Prepare the cranberry apple topping up to 2 days in advance. Store in an airtight container and reheat gently before serving.
• Toast ahead: The baguette slices can be toasted earlier in the day; store them in a zip-top bag once cooled.
• Assemble last minute: Add Brie and topping just before serving for the perfect texture.
• Leftovers: Store in the fridge for up to 2 days; reheat gently in the oven.

Fun Facts & Origin

Crostini — meaning “little toasts” in Italian — originated as a rustic peasant food. Italians would slice day-old bread, toast it, and top it with whatever was fresh or available — cheese, fruit, or meat.

This Cranberry Apple Brie Crostini takes that tradition and gives it a festive twist. The combination of warm fruit compote and melted cheese is inspired by European holiday pairings, where fruit preserves often accompany creamy cheeses on bread.

So when you serve these, you’re honoring an age-old culinary practice — just dressed up in a modern, sparkly holiday outfit.

Nutrition (Per Serving)

• Calories: 150
• Carbohydrates: 14g
• Protein: 5g
• Fat: 8g
• Saturated Fat: 4g
• Sugar: 7g
• Sodium: 180mg
• Fiber: 1g

Conclusion

There’s something magical about the way Cranberry Apple Brie Crostini captures the essence of the season. The creamy Brie melts into the crisp bread, the cranberries add sparkle, and the honey ties it all together with sweetness.

It’s festive without fuss, impressive without effort, and guaranteed to disappear the moment it hits the table. Serve this at your next gathering and watch everyone reach for seconds (and thirds).

Simple. Elegant. Delicious. That’s the beauty of this one-bite wonder.