Sweet Balsamic Strawberry Crostini

Balsamic Strawberry Crostini: A delightful Italian-inspired starter or dessert, this recipe offers the perfect way to savor the vibrant taste of fresh, ripe berries! Imagine crisp toasts generously smeared with a luscious, honey-sweetened mascarpone cheese, then topped with a medley of succulent fresh strawberries and rich, imported strawberries preserved in syrup. It’s a truly elegant and simple dish that promises to impress.

These are far from your ordinary toasts! Often referred to as Strawberry Bruschetta, these exquisite bites feature layers of cinnamon sugar-dusted bread, creamy sweet mascarpone cheese, a hint of tangy balsamic vinegar, and juicy ripe strawberries, all elevated by the indulgent flavor of Italian strawberry syrup. Each bite is a symphony of flavors and textures that will undoubtedly rock your taste buds! Perfect for serving as a light, refreshing summer appetizer or a sophisticated dessert, these crostini are versatile and incredibly satisfying.

Overhead view of white tray with strawberry crostini

Contents

Why You Must Make This Strawberry Crostini Recipe

If you’re looking for a dish that effortlessly combines elegance with incredible flavor, look no further. This Balsamic Strawberry Crostini recipe is a definite crowd-pleaser and a must-try for several compelling reasons:

Perfect for Seasonal Enjoyment: This recipe truly shines in the spring and summer months when strawberries are at their peak—sweet, juicy, and bursting with natural flavor. Using fresh, seasonal berries ensures the most vibrant taste and aroma for your crostini.
Deep, Complex, and Delicious Flavors: The combination of creamy mascarpone, sweet honey, fragrant cinnamon sugar, tart balsamic vinegar, and the rich sweetness of two types of strawberries creates a truly unforgettable flavor profile. Each ingredient plays a crucial role, resulting in a harmonious balance that delights the palate.
Visually Stunning Presentation: These crostini are not just delicious; they are incredibly beautiful. Arranged on a pristine white platter, the vibrant red of the strawberries against the creamy white mascarpone and golden toast creates an inviting and sophisticated display. Your guests will undoubtedly be impressed by both the taste and the aesthetic appeal.
Incredibly Versatile: Whether you need a refreshing appetizer for a garden party, a light dessert after a meal, or a delightful brunch item, these crostini fit the bill perfectly. Their adaptable nature makes them a go-to recipe for any occasion.
Surprisingly Simple to Prepare: Despite their gourmet appearance and complex flavors, these crostini are remarkably easy to assemble. With just a few simple steps and readily available ingredients, you can create a stunning dish without spending hours in the kitchen, making them ideal for both novice and experienced cooks.

Frequently Asked Questions About Crostini

For those new to the world of Italian appetizers, here are some common questions about crostini and how they compare to similar dishes.

What’s the difference between bruschetta and crostini?

While often used interchangeably, bruschetta and crostini have distinct differences in their traditional preparation and typical uses. Crostini, meaning “little toasts” in Italian, are typically made from thinly sliced smaller loaves of bread, like baguettes. These slices are often brushed with olive oil (though not always, as our recipe demonstrates!) and then toasted or baked until crisp. They serve as a delicate base for various toppings, from creamy cheeses and spreads to finely diced vegetables and fruits. Bruschetta, on the other hand, is generally made from larger, thicker slices of bread, such as Italian country bread or sourdough. The traditional method involves toasting these slices, then rubbing them vigorously with a fresh garlic clove while still warm, before drizzling generously with olive oil. The name “bruschetta” originates from the Roman dialect word “bruscare,” meaning “to roast over coals,” highlighting its rustic origins. Typically, bruschetta features simpler, more robust toppings, often fresh tomatoes and basil. Our recipe, though called crostini, shares the spirit of both, offering a light toast with a rich topping.

What Are Crostini Made Out of?

The term “crostini” literally translates to “little toasts” or “croutons” from Italian. They are fundamentally composed of thin slices of bread, which are then toasted until crispy. The most popular bread choices for crostini include baguettes or other slender, rounded loaves due to their ideal size and texture when sliced thinly. While many recipes suggest brushing the bread with olive oil before toasting to achieve extra crispness and flavor, it’s not always a strict requirement, especially when a sweet topping is involved, as in our strawberry crostini. The key characteristic is their crisp, firm texture, which makes them the perfect vessel for a wide array of toppings, allowing them to support creamy spreads, savory meats, or sweet fruits without becoming soggy too quickly.

How Do You Make Crostini?

Making crostini is a straightforward process that yields wonderfully crisp bases for countless appetizers. To begin, thinly slice a baguette or similar small, rounded bread loaf, aiming for slices about ¼ to ½ inch thick. Arrange these slices in a single layer on a baking sheet. You can optionally brush them lightly with olive oil for a savory application, but for a sweet crostini like our Balsamic Strawberry version, a dusting of cinnamon sugar is preferred. Bake them in a preheated oven, typically around 375°F (190°C), for about 8-12 minutes, flipping them once halfway through. Keep a close eye on them to prevent burning, as they can go from perfectly golden to overly browned very quickly. The goal is a light golden-brown color and a wonderfully crunchy texture. Once baked, remove them from the oven and let them cool completely on a wire rack, which further enhances their crispness. This simple method ensures a perfect canvas for any topping you desire.

Are Crostini Served Hot or Cold?

Crostini are remarkably versatile and can be served either hot or cold, depending entirely on the toppings chosen. When serving a topping that benefits from warmth, like melted cheese or a warm vegetable medley, the crostini themselves can be briefly warmed or served fresh from toasting. For dishes like our Balsamic Strawberry Crostini, which feature fresh fruits and a creamy, cool mascarpone spread, the crostini are best served at room temperature or slightly cooled to provide a crisp contrast to the cool topping. The crisp base of the crostini holds up well regardless of temperature, making them a flexible option for a variety of culinary creations, suitable for any season or event.

How Do You Store Crostini?

Proper storage is key to maintaining the crispness of your crostini for future use. Before any toppings are added, freshly made crostini can be stored at room temperature in a heavy-duty zip-top bag or an airtight container for up to one week. Ensure they are completely cool before storing to prevent condensation, which can make them soggy. For longer storage, crostini can be kept airtight in the freezer for up to three months. To enjoy them after freezing, simply retoast them in the oven for a few minutes until refreshed and crisp again. This makes crostini an excellent make-ahead component for entertaining, allowing you to prepare the bases well in advance and simply add fresh toppings when ready to serve.

tray of strawberry crostini with 3 fresh berries

A Delightful Guest Post from Roz of La Bella Vita

I am absolutely thrilled and deeply honored to introduce my final guest poster for this series, my dear friend, Roz, from the exquisite blog, La Bella Vita. Roz curates a truly gorgeous online space where she passionately shares her love for food, the art of gardening, and her exciting travel adventures. Her content often highlights the sensational culinary traditions of her Italian heritage, a topic she approaches with incredible authenticity and expertise. Our connection initially sparked through the vibrant Foodbuzz community, where we began exchanging comments on each other’s blogs, quickly forming a mutual admiration.

It wasn’t long into our online friendship that I developed a curious inkling—a feeling that I might actually know Roz in person, despite the geographical distance between her home in the Carolinas and mine in the Midwest. The story of how serendipity beautifully reconnected us is one I love to share, and you’ll find it woven into Roz’s personal narrative below. Beyond her exceptional blog, you can connect with Roz and her incredible content on Pinterest and Facebook. Today, she graciously shares her stunning Balsamic Strawberry Crostini recipe, a true testament to her culinary passion and Italian flair.

From Roz: What an incredible honor it is to be asked by my wonderful friend, Lizzy, to contribute a guest post to her awesome blog! This privilege is twofold: not only does Lizzy run a fantastic food blog filled with inspiring recipes, but she also happens to be a cherished childhood friend of my sister, Kelly. Lizzy and Kelly’s friendship blossomed way back in 3rd grade in Ames, Iowa, where they lived just a few blocks from each other and even attended the same church. Their bond deepened and endured through high school, college years at the University of Iowa, and continues vibrantly to this very day!

It was truly bizarre and wonderfully unexpected when Lizzy and I stumbled upon each other’s blogs and, through a series of comments and shared details, realized our profound real-world connection! For this special guest post, I thought it would be a delightful touch to share some heartwarming old photos of Lizzy and my sister. Liz was incredibly sweet to send me digitized versions of these old memories (a task I definitely need to tackle with my own collection!). These pictures really capture the essence of their enduring friendship and bring a lovely personal touch to my contribution.

As seniors in high school, on Halloween Night. Kelly is the clown and Lizzy is Raggedy Andy. Oh, the memories!

This photo brings back so many memories: Kelly and Lizzy enjoying their last high school reunion together, a testament to their lifelong bond.

How to Make Balsamic Strawberry Crostini

And now, after that wonderful trip down memory lane, it’s time to delve into the delightful recipe I prepared for Mother’s Day: my signature Balsamic Strawberry Crostini! This dish was inspired when my daughter gifted me some outrageously rich and decadent imported strawberries from Italy. The moment I saw them, my mind immediately envisioned transforming them into a sweet, luxurious dessert crostini – a perfect blend of fresh and exquisite flavors.

Begin by preparing the creamy base. Italian mascarpone cheese, known for its smooth, rich texture, is gently sweetened with a touch of local honey. The honey not only adds sweetness but also a wonderful aromatic depth that complements the berries beautifully.
Next, prepare your crostini toasts. Thin slices of Italian bread are lightly buttered, then generously sprinkled with a homemade cinnamon sugar mixture. These are then broiled until perfectly golden and crisp, creating a fragrant and slightly sweet base that provides a delightful crunch.
For the star topping, combine fresh, ripe strawberries, carefully sliced or diced, with the special imported Italian strawberries in syrup. This blend offers a fantastic contrast in texture and an intensified strawberry flavor. To this luscious berry mixture, add a splash of high-quality balsamic vinegar. The balsamic adds a sophisticated tang and complexity, balancing the sweetness of the fruit and mascarpone without overpowering it.
Finally, assemble your crostini: spread a generous dollop of the honey-sweetened mascarpone onto each cinnamon-sugar toast, then artfully top it with the vibrant balsamic berry mixture. A garnish of fresh mint or basil can add a final touch of color and a subtle herbaceous note. Perfecto!

Buon Appetito!!! Grazie mille to Lizzy for the privilege of being a guest poster on her wonderful blog. It has been an absolute pleasure sharing this recipe and our special connection.
Warmly,
Roz from ‘la bella vita’

Strawberry Crostini Recipe

Prep Time
15 minutes

Cook Time
4 minutes

Additional Time
10 minutes

Total Time
29 minutes

Yield
varies (approx. 6 servings)

A delightful Italian-inspired appetizer or dessert, these crostini are made with crisp toasts, luscious honey-sweetened mascarpone, and a vibrant topping of fresh strawberries enhanced with rich Italian strawberry syrup and a hint of balsamic vinegar. Perfect for any gathering!

Rating: ★★★★★ (5 out of 5 stars based on 2 reviews)

Ingredients

Italian bread, 1 loaf (such as a baguette), sliced diagonally into 1/4-inch pieces
Unsalted butter, softened (for spreading on bread)
Granulated sugar
Ground cinnamon
8 oz. mascarpone cheese, at room temperature
2 Tbsp. local honey (or to taste)
1 to 1.5 cups Fresh strawberries, hulled and sliced or diced
1 cup Frogole imported Italian strawberries in syrup (or high-quality strawberry preserves/syrup)
1 tsp. balsamic vinegar (or more, to your taste preference)
Optional garnishes: Fresh mint leaves, fresh basil leaves, whole fresh strawberries

Instructions

Preheat your broiler or oven to 375°F (190°C). Slice the Italian bread diagonally into thin, even pieces, about 1/4 to 1/2 inch thick.
Lightly spread softened butter on both sides of each bread slice.
In a small bowl, mix together about 1 cup of granulated sugar with 2 teaspoons of ground cinnamon. Sprinkle this cinnamon-sugar mixture evenly over both sides of the buttered bread slices.
Place the bread slices on a baking sheet. Broil for 2-3 minutes per side, watching very carefully, until golden brown and toasted. Alternatively, bake in the preheated oven for about 8-10 minutes, flipping once, until crisp. Do not burn. Set aside to cool.
In a medium bowl, combine the room temperature mascarpone cheese with the local honey. Blend until smooth and well combined. Adjust honey to your desired sweetness.
In another bowl, gently combine the fresh, sliced strawberries with the imported Italian Fragole strawberries in syrup. The syrup adds a wonderful depth of flavor and moisture.
Add 1 teaspoon of balsamic vinegar to the strawberry mixture and gently stir. Taste and add more balsamic vinegar if you prefer a more pronounced tang. A small pinch of cinnamon-sugar can also be added here if desired for extra spice.
To assemble, spread a generous dollop of the honey-sweetened mascarpone cheese mixture onto each cooled, cinnamon-sugar crostini toast.
Evenly spoon the balsamic strawberry mixture over the mascarpone on each crostini.
Garnish with fresh mint leaves, basil leaves, or a whole fresh strawberry for an appealing presentation. Serve immediately or within a short time to maintain the crispness of the crostini. Enjoy!

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

Approx. 6 servings (based on 2 toasts per serving)

Serving Size:

2 toasts

Amount Per Serving (Estimate):
Calories: 361
Total Fat: 18g
Saturated Fat: 10g
Trans Fat: 0g
Unsaturated Fat: 5g
Cholesterol: 52mg
Sodium: 193mg
Carbohydrates: 52g
Fiber: 4g
Sugar: 41g
Protein: 3g

Thatskinnychickcanbake.com occasionally offers nutritional information for recipes contained on this site. This information is provided as a courtesy and is an estimate only. This information comes from online calculators. Although thatskinnychickcanbake.com attempts to provide accurate nutritional information, these figures are only estimates. Varying factors such as product types or brands purchased can change the nutritional information in any given recipe. Also, many recipes on thatskinnychickcanbake.com recommend toppings, which may or may not be listed as optional and nutritional information for these added toppings is not listed. Other factors may change the nutritional information such as when the salt amount is listed “to taste,” it is not calculated into the recipe as the amount will vary. Also, different online calculators can provide different results. To obtain the most accurate representation of the nutritional information in any given recipe, you should calculate the nutritional information with the actual ingredients used in your recipe. You are solely responsible for ensuring that any nutritional information obtained is accurate.

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I previously shared a bit about my connection with Roz, which bears repeating due to its charming serendipity:

Regular followers of my blog may recall the truly serendipitous reunion between myself and a fellow blogger, Roz, from La Bella Vita. The story began quite simply: Roz commented on one of my blog posts one day, which naturally led me to explore her blog. I was immediately captivated and deeply impressed by her marvelous food creations, her gorgeous photography, and, most notably, her incredibly kind and generous spirit. She already had a multitude of fans and followers, and I instantly knew I’d be a returning visitor. A small detail in her bio mentioned she was from Iowa—a curious coincidence, as so was I.

As I delved deeper into her content, I learned she was 100% Italian, which sparked another thought. Her photo bore a striking resemblance to a childhood friend from my hometown, Kelly. Overcome by a hunch, I just had to ask. And indeed, my intuition was correct: she was the older sister of one of my dearest friends, a bond that has endured since our childhood. Roz had been the beautiful, somewhat mysterious, and undeniably popular older sister who, to us younger kids, was known primarily through a framed portrait in their family room. She was always busy with high school activities while Kelly and I were still navigating our immature, “squirrelly” years.

After we joyfully reconnected through our blogs, I reminded Roz of a cherished memory: Kelly and I had taken a college road trip to St. Louis one weekend, where we were treated to one of her magnificent home-cooked, gourmet dinners. It was an unforgettable meal, even after all these years! I still hold onto the hope that we’ll be able to meet again in person, perhaps for another one of her incredible culinary masterpieces. Until then, I’m grateful for our digital connection and the beautiful recipes she shares with the world.