Cream Cheese Herb Crostini (Print Version)

Crispy baguette slices with a creamy herbed cheese spread topped with fresh herbs and microgreens.

# Components:

→ 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

# Directions:

01 - Set oven temperature to 400°F and allow to preheat.
02 - Arrange baguette slices on a baking sheet and brush both sides lightly with olive oil.
03 - Toast in the oven for 8 to 10 minutes, flipping halfway through cooking, until golden and crisp. Remove from oven and rub each slice lightly with the cut side of garlic. Allow to 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 mixture over each cooled crostini slice.
06 - Top each crostini with assorted fresh herbs, microgreens, and edible flowers as desired. Sprinkle with flaky sea salt and additional black pepper.
07 - Arrange on a large board or platter and serve immediately.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It comes together in 30 minutes, so you can prep these while guests are still arriving.
  • The contrast between crispy crostini and creamy cheese never gets old, no matter how many times you make it.
  • Everyone at the table gets to customize their own with whatever herbs speak to them.
02 -
  • Don't assemble these more than 20 minutes before serving or the cream cheese will soften and the bread will start losing its crunch.
  • The garlic rub only works if the crostini are still warm, so time this step carefully for maximum flavor.
03 -
  • Let your cream cheese sit at room temperature for 30 minutes before mixing so you get a silky spread with zero lumps.
  • Toast the crostini the day before and store them in an airtight container—they'll stay crisp and you'll stress less on serving day.
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