You only need six simple ingredients to make these delicious Cranberry Goat Cheese Crostini. They’re an ideal holiday appetizer or Christmas snack: elegant to serve, easy to prepare, and ready in about 15 minutes.
This festive crostini recipe originally appeared on my blog in 2012 after I brought them to a holiday party at my parents’ house. Since then I’ve made them for nearly every holiday gathering over the last dozen years. They’re consistently a crowd-pleaser because the flavor combination is simple but memorable: tangy goat cheese, sweet-tart cranberries, warming cinnamon, and fresh rosemary, all finished with a drizzle of honey or maple syrup.
These crostini are perfect for entertaining because you can scale the recipe up or down easily. The version below yields about 20 bite-sized crostini, but you can halve it for a small get-together or double it for a larger party. The presentation looks special with minimal effort, making them a great choice for holiday platters and appetizer spreads.
Ingredients
- Baguette – use a whole baguette (traditional, French, or sourdough). Slice into ½” pieces for bite-sized crostini.
- Goat cheese – 8 ounces, softened at room temperature for about 30 minutes so it spreads easily.
- Dried cranberries – ½ cup stirred into the goat cheese, plus a few extra for garnish.
- Fresh rosemary – 1 tablespoon minced. Rosemary adds a bright, woodsy note; substitute thyme or basil if you prefer.
- Cinnamon – ½ teaspoon of ground cinnamon to bring a warm, holiday flavor to the cheese mixture.
- Maple syrup or honey – about ¼ cup to drizzle. For a sweet-and-spicy twist, use hot honey.
Instructions
- Preheat the oven. Set it to 350°F (175°C).
- Warm or toast the baguette. For soft, warm slices: place the whole baguette in the oven for 5 minutes, then remove and slice into ½” pieces. For crispier crostini: slice first, brush each slice lightly with olive oil, arrange in a single layer on a baking sheet, and toast for 5–7 minutes or until golden brown.
- Make the goat cheese topping. In a medium bowl, combine the softened goat cheese with ½ cup dried cranberries, ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon, and 1 tablespoon minced fresh rosemary. Stir until evenly mixed.
- Assemble the crostini. Spread a generous spoonful of the goat cheese mixture onto each baguette slice. Top with a couple of extra dried cranberries and a light sprinkle of chopped rosemary for color and aroma.
- Finish and serve. Right before serving, drizzle each crostini with maple syrup or honey. Serve immediately for the best texture and flavor.
Make-ahead tip
You can prepare the goat cheese topping up to five days in advance and store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Bring the mixture to room temperature for at least 15 minutes before assembling so it’s easy to spread. I recommend assembling the crostini just before serving to keep the bread from becoming soggy and to preserve the contrast between warm or crisp bread and creamy topping.
Gluten-free option
To make gluten-free crostini, skip the baguette and spoon the goat cheese mixture onto thick slices of red bell pepper, cucumber rounds, or your favorite gluten-free crackers. I tested the red pepper version for a gluten-free guest and it was a hit—bright, crunchy, and just as festive.
Serving suggestions and variations
These crostini pair well with a variety of cheeses and spreads on a holiday appetizer board. Serve alongside olives, prosciutto, figs, and nuts for a complete platter. For a richer flavor, swap half the goat cheese for cream cheese or mascarpone. For added crunch, top with finely chopped toasted walnuts or pecans. If you prefer a fruitier touch, use fresh chopped apples or pears mixed into the goat cheese along with the dried cranberries.
More easy appetizers
If you enjoy simple party bites, try a few other six-ingredient or fewer recipes such as sausage balls, spinach pinwheels, pickle bites wrapped in puff pastry, bacon roll-ups, mini meatball subs, or cucumber tea sandwiches—each easy to prepare and great for holiday entertaining.
Recipe details
Yield: about 20 crostini
Prep time: 10 minutes
Cook time: 5 minutes (to warm or toast bread)
Total time: 15 minutes
Author: Whitney Bond
Nutrition (approx. per crostini)
- Calories: 85 kcal
- Carbohydrates: 12 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Fat: 3 g
- Sugar: 6 g
These Cranberry Goat Cheese Crostini are a simple, elegant appetizer that brings holiday flavors to the table with very little fuss. Whether you’re hosting a large party or making a small festive snack, they’re easy to customize and always well received.