Description
This elegant whipped goat cheese bruschetta features creamy goat cheese spread on toasted French bread with either a fresh Caprese topping or a sweet triple berry variation. Finished with a rich balsamic reduction, it is perfect for entertaining and special occasions.
Ingredients
1 (6-8 inch loaf) French bread, cut into 1/2-inch slices
1 cup balsamic vinegar
1/4 cup granulated sugar
10 ounces goat cheese
8 ounces low-fat cream cheese
3 cups rainbow mix cherry tomatoes
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 cup chopped fresh basil
1 cup chopped fresh strawberries
1 cup fresh blueberries
1 cup fresh raspberries
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F.
- Arrange the bread slices and cherry tomatoes on a baking sheet and bake for 10 to 12 minutes, until the bread is toasted and the tomatoes begin to burst.
- Remove from the oven and set aside.
- Combine the balsamic vinegar and granulated sugar in a small saucepan and bring to a boil.
- Reduce the heat and simmer for 6 to 8 minutes until reduced by about one-third and syrupy. Set aside to cool.
- For the Caprese version, blend the goat cheese, cream cheese, and garlic powder until smooth and creamy.
- For the Triple Berry version, blend the goat cheese and cream cheese only until smooth and creamy.
- Spread about 1 tablespoon of whipped goat cheese mixture onto each toasted bread slice.
- For Caprese, top with roasted cherry tomatoes, sprinkle with basil, and drizzle with balsamic reduction.
- For Triple Berry, top with strawberries, blueberries, and raspberries, then drizzle with balsamic reduction before serving.
Notes
Use heirloom tomatoes for extra color and flavor.
Add hot honey for a sweet and spicy variation.
Top the berry version with chopped pistachios for added crunch.
Substitute part of the goat cheese with whipped ricotta for a milder taste.
Add lemon zest to the berry topping for brightness.
Store components separately and assemble just before serving.
Whipped goat cheese can be refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Bake
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 220 kcal
- Sugar: 11 g
- Sodium: 260 mg
- Fat: 11 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 22 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 8 g
- Cholesterol: 28 mg
