• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Emily Laurae
  • RECIPES
  • About
  • Classes
  • Contact
    • Partnerships & Collaborations
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Recipes
  • About
  • Classes
  • Subscribe
  • Contact
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • TikTok
    • YouTube
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • Recipes
    • About
    • Classes
    • Subscribe
    • Contact
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • TikTok
    • YouTube
  • ×

    Home » All Recipes » Appetizers

    Apple Crostini with Balsamic & Thyme

    October 4, 2021 by Emily Leave a Comment

    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    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!

    Jump to:
    • About this Recipe
    • What is a Crostini?
    • What is Mascarpone?
    • What is Balsamic Glaze
    • How to Make your own Balsamic Glaze
    • The Ingredients
    • The Process
    • More Fall Recipes to Try
    • Apple Crostini with Balsamic & Thyme

    About this Recipe

    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!

    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!

    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! 

    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!

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

    More Fall Recipes to Try

    • Banana Cake with Almond Buttercream
    • Pumpkin Spiced Affogato
    • Butterscotch, Toffee, and Salted Caramel Macarons

    As always, I love seeing your creations and hearing from you! If you try this recipe, please leave a review or share your creation with me on social media! You can find me on Instagram, Facebook, Youtube and Pinterest - for more delicious recipes sent straight to your inbox, sign up for my newsletter! 

    Apple Crostinis

    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!
    5 from 1 vote
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe Rate Recipe
    Course: Appetizer
    Cuisine: American
    Keyword: Snack
    Prep Time: 5 minutes
    Total Time: 5 minutes
    Servings: 8
    Calories: 207kcal
    Author: Emily Laurae

    Equipment

    • Cutting Board
    • Paring Knife

    Ingredients
     

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

    Instructions

    • Spread a layer of mascarpone on the cooled slices of toasted baguette.
      1 Baguette, ½ Cup Mascarpone
    • Top with two thin slices of SweeTango® Apples, fanning slightly.
      4 SweeTango® Apples
    • Finally, drizzle with balsamic glaze and sprinkle with fresh thyme before serving!
      3 tablespoon Balsamic Glaze, 3 tablespoon Fresh Thyme

    Nutrition

    Calories: 207kcal | Carbohydrates: 32g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 8g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 14mg | Sodium: 200mg | Potassium: 148mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 11g | Vitamin A: 371IU | Vitamin C: 8mg | Calcium: 60mg | Iron: 1mg
    Enjoyed this recipe?Mention @emilylaurae or tag #emilylaurae!

    More Appetizers

    • How to make Pickled Quail Eggs
    • Savory Mashed Sweet Potatoes
    • Marinated Brussels Sprouts with Cranberries
    • Boursin Mashed Potatoes

    About Emily

    Emily is the recipe developer, writer, and food photographer behind Emily Laurae. After finishing Pastry School and working as a chef in the restaurant industry, she created this blog to share those skills with home bakers and creators all over the world!

    Reader Interactions

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    Primary Sidebar

    HELLO MY FRIENDS!

    Welcome to Emily Laurae - I'm so looking forward to sharing some of my favorite recipes, tips and tricks with you. Pull up a chair, grab your favorite beverage and relax while you jump into my very favorite world that includes plenty of butter, flour and sugar!

    Trending Recipes

    • How to make Sourdough Bread (Dutch Oven Method)
    • 15+ Flavored Simple Syrup Recipes for Cakes, Cocktails, Coffee, & More!
    • How to make Sugared Berries
    • Chewy Molasses Cookies with Candied Ginger

    Valentine's Day Recipes

    • Rose Dark Chocolate Flavored Macarons
    • Raspberry Valentine's Day Bundt Cakes
    • Strawberry Rice Krispie Treats
    • Brioche Doughnuts with Vanilla Rose Pastry Cream

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • About Page
    • Privacy Policy
    • Photography Gear Guide
    • Shop

    Newsletter

    • Sign Up so you're the first to know about new recipes, kitchen tips, and events!

    Contact

    • Contact
    • Classes & Events
    • Collaborations & Partnerships
    • Special Orders

    Copyright © 2023 Emily Laurae of Accountable Design LLC - All Rights Reserved