Are these hors d’oeuvres or are these desserts? Honestly, Christmas Crostini goes back and forth between the two! They might even be sweet appetizers! Toasted, buttery baguette slices with a luscious layer of cinnamon cream cheese and jammy, warm pears! Bursts of tart pomegranate and smoky balsamic make Christmas Crostini a balanced and enticing holiday treat! Ho Ho Ho! Have some more!
Ingredients
- 1 baguette, thinly sliced into 1/2-inch-thick slices
- olive oil, to taste
- 6 ounces cinnamon cream cheese, can substitute plain cream cheese
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 2 large ripe but firm pears, peeled, diced
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon, plus more, optional, to taste
- 1/4 cup maple syrup
- 1/2 teaspoon balsamic vinegar
- 1 cup pomegranate arils
Directions
Step 1 –Brush the tops of the baguette slices lightly with the olive oil.
Step 2 –Toast the sliced baguette until crisp.
Step 3 –Spread each toasted slice generously with the cinnamon cream cheese, then set the slices aside. If substituting with plain cream cheese, top them with a dash of the extra cinnamon as well.
Step 4 –In a sautĂ© pan over medium-high heat, melt the butter.
Step 5 –Add the pears, 1/2 teaspoon of the cinnamon, and the maple syrup to the melted butter and cook, while stirring, until the mixture is fragrant and warm, about 3 minutes.
Step 6 –Stir the balsamic vinegar and the pomegranate arils into the pear mixture.
Step 7 –Spoon the fruit mixture on top of the prepared baguette slices using a slotted spoon. Lightly drizzle the tops with a small amount of the syrup mixture.
Step 8 –Serve.
