Cream Cheese Herb Crostini (Printable version)

Crispy crostini topped with creamy cheese spread and fresh herbs, ideal for easy gatherings.

# Ingredient List:

→ Crostini

01 - 1 baguette, sliced into 1/2-inch rounds (approximately 24 slices)
02 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
03 - 1 garlic clove, halved

→ Cream Cheese Spread

04 - 12 ounces cream cheese, softened
05 - 2 tablespoons sour cream
06 - 2 tablespoons fresh chives, finely chopped
07 - 1 tablespoon fresh dill, finely chopped
08 - 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, finely chopped
09 - 1 teaspoon lemon zest
10 - 1/4 teaspoon salt
11 - 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

→ Herb Toppings

12 - Fresh chives, finely chopped
13 - Fresh dill sprigs
14 - Fresh parsley leaves
15 - Fresh basil leaves, torn
16 - Fresh thyme leaves
17 - Microgreens
18 - Edible flowers, optional
19 - Flaky sea salt, to finish
20 - Freshly ground black pepper

# How-To Steps:

01 - Preheat oven to 400°F.
02 - Arrange baguette slices on a baking sheet and brush both sides lightly with olive oil.
03 - Toast in the oven for 8-10 minutes, flipping halfway through, until golden and crisp. Remove from oven and rub each slice lightly with the cut side of garlic. Cool to room temperature.
04 - In a bowl, combine softened cream cheese, sour cream, chives, dill, parsley, lemon zest, salt, and black pepper. Mix until smooth and well blended.
05 - Spread a generous layer of the herbed cream cheese over each cooled crostini.
06 - Top with assorted fresh herbs, microgreens, and edible flowers as desired. Sprinkle with flaky sea salt and extra black pepper.
07 - Arrange on a large board or platter and serve immediately.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It looks like you spent hours in the kitchen when you actually pulled it together faster than ordering takeout.
  • The herb-forward cream cheese spread is so addictive that people keep coming back to the board even after they've already eaten.
  • You can prep everything an hour ahead and assemble it in minutes, which is basically a miracle for entertaining.
02 -
  • Don't assemble more than thirty minutes ahead or the crispy toasts will start absorbing moisture and turn soft—timing is everything with this one.
  • Fresh herbs make or break this dish; wilted or pre-chopped versions from a jar will taste dusty and flat compared to the real thing.
03 -
  • Make the herbed cream cheese spread the morning of and keep it in a container with a tight seal—it gets even more flavorful as the herbs continue to infuse overnight.
  • If you want extra crunch, thinly slice radishes or cucumbers and layer them on top of the spread before adding the herbs; the contrast is revelatory.
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