Apple Crostini with Balsamic & Thyme

Make a big, beautiful tray of Apple Crostini appetizers with balsamic & thyme for your next gathering with family and friends within mere minutes! These crostinis are made with thin slices of SweeTango® apples - read on to learn more about how to make some for yourself!

The crisp, sweetness of these crostinis are made using SweeTango® apples - mouth-watering apples with a honeyed citrus flavor profile balanced with a hint of warm spices. They're absolutely ideal to use for the creation of these apple crostinis with balsamic and thyme! It can be incredibly challenging to pick which apple to choose when you're at the grocery store, but SweeTango® makes it an easy choice when you hear more about how they are made!

Across America and Canada, SweeTango® apples are raised in orchards by incredible farmers that are conscious and careful about their environmental impact, use the most rigorous quality control, and are committed to growing only the best apples!

SweeTango® apples were originally introduced in 2009 when horticulturalists from the University of Minnesota bred a Honeycrisp with a Zestar using time-honored techniques. The offspring produced the Minneiska tree—a special tree that grows a seasonal apple harvested in early fall…the SweeTango®!

These apples are crisp, incredibly juicy, and distinctly flavorful apples that you can find at your local grocery store! Head on over to SweeTango® website and use their locator to find a store near you that sells their delicious apples so that you can make these Apple Crostinis with Balsamic and Thyme for your next get together!

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What is a Crostini?

“Crostini” means “little crusts” (ie. “little toasts”) in Italian and that’s exactly what they are:  thinly sliced bread, toasted until crisp, and then layered with all kinds of different toppings.

Once your base has been created, you can top the bread slices with all kinds of toppings! Hummus, cheese, pesto, fruits, vegetables, herbs, oils, and balsamic - the world is yours!

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What is Mascarpone?

The closest ingredient that we can compare mascarpone to is cream cheese. Mascarpone has less acidity than cream cheese, which makes it perfect for pairing with a higher acidity ingredient like lemon curd. The process of creating each is essentially the same, yet while cream cheese is made with whole milk, mascarpone is made with heavy cream.

The heavy cream is heated, acid is added and the cream starts to thicken. After pouring into a strainer lined with cheesecloth and letting it set overnight – the next morning, you have mascarpone!

What is Balsamic Glaze

A thick, balsamic glaze is a wonderful acidic and slightly sweet addition to these crostinis – I would highly recommend either buying some in the oil aisle of your local grocery store or making your own! At its core, it is a balsamic reduction with a touch of sweetener, and it takes less than 20 minutes to make.

How to Make your own Balsamic Glaze

To make your own balsamic glaze, add 1 cup of balsamic vinegar into a saucepan and add ½ tablespoon honey. Bring the mixture to a low boil, then reduce heat to simmer for about 15 minutes. Stir occasionally until reduced by half and lightly coat the back of a spoon. As the glaze cools it will continue to thicken! 

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The Ingredients

There are only a few ingredients needed to create these crostinis! Here's what you'll want to round up:

• 1 Baguette , Sliced, one inch pieces slightly toasted
• ½ Cup Mascarpone
• 4 SweeTango® Apples, Thinly Sliced
• 3 tablespoon Balsamic Glaze
• 3 tablespoon Fresh Thyme

The Process

Here's how to make these Apple Crostinis for yourself:

1. Spread a layer of mascarpone on the cooled slices of toasted baguette.
2. Top with two thin slices of SweeTango® Apples, fanning slightly.
3. Finally, drizzle with balsamic glaze and sprinkle with fresh thyme before serving!

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*This post has been sponsored by SweeTango®. All thoughts and opinions are my own.