Cherry Crostinis with Lemon Goat Cheese & Basil

Sweet, tangy, and irresistibly elegant, these Cherry Crostinis are the perfect bite-sized summer appetizer. Roasted dark cherries meet a zesty lemon goat cheese spread on crisp ACE® Bakery baguette slices, all finished with fresh basil ribbons. Whether you’re entertaining a crowd or elevating a weeknight snack, these crostinis deliver bright, bold flavours in every bite—ready in just 35 minutes.

Serves: 10-12 (makes about 20 crostinis)
Time: 35 minutes

Ingredients

For the crostini base:

• 1 ACE® Bakery baguette, sliced diagonally into ½-inch pieces
• Olive oil, for brushing

For the roasted cherries:

• 4 cups fresh dark sweet cherries, pitted and halved
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tbsp pure maple syrup
• 1 tsp lemon zest

For the lemon goat cheese spread:

• 8 oz goat cheese, softened
• Zest of 1 lemon
• Juice of ½ lemon
• Salt and freshly cracked black pepper, to taste

To garnish:

• Fresh basil, sliced into thin ribbons

Recipe

1. Roast the cherries: Preheat your oven to 400°F. On a lined baking sheet, toss the halved cherries with olive oil, maple syrup, and lemon zest. Roast for 15–20 minutes until soft and jammy. Let cool slightly.
2. Toast the baguette: While the cherries roast, brush both sides of each baguette slice with olive oil. Toast on a baking sheet in the oven for 7–9 minutes, flipping halfway, until golden and crisp. Let cool slightly.
3. Make the lemon goat cheese: In a small bowl, mix the goat cheese with lemon juice and zest. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Stir until smooth and spreadable.
4. Assemble the crostinis: Spread a generous layer of lemon goat cheese on each toasted baguette slice. Top with a spoonful of roasted cherries, letting the syrup drip a little. Garnish with basil ribbons.
5. Serve: Arrange on a platter and serve warm or at room temperature.