Blueberry & Whipped Mint Mascarpone Crostini {with Almonds & Honey}

Toasted, crisp crostini topped with fresh blueberries, creamy mint mascarpone, crunchy almonds and sweet honey.  These Blueberry Mascarpone Crostini are the perfect snack, appetizer or starter for summer! I have a confession to make:  I am a huge klutz.  Scratch that.  Capitalize it- KLUTZ.  How I ever made it through culinary school, without seriously injuring myself, beats the H-E-double hockey sticks out of me!  I am lucky, on a daily basis, if I don’t run into a wall, door or inanimate object.  My family doesn’t call me, “Gracie” for nothing!

However, when it comes to the kitchen, I am pretty graceful.  Or maybe I am just super careful, or lucky.  Or both?  Well, luck was not on my side yesterday.  I was chop, lockin’ and droppin’ pounds of fresh veggies and fruit like it was my job (well it kind of is I suppose, because of this blog), and got ‘er all diced and done with style ‘n grace.  Then, I moved on to the uber-fun part of the kitchen, cleaning the mess (<–said dripping with sarcasm), when I sliced my thumb on my chef’s knife.  Deep.

Meeeoooo-owwwwchie!  I muttered a bunch of expletives and panicked for a minute.  However, I wasn’t panicking at the blood gushing from the huge gouge on my thumb, but at the thought that I may need to go to the ER.  I don’t do hospitals.  Or doctors, no offense if you are one!  I am sure you are quite lovely!  🙂

But, don’t cry for me Argentina, after a good 45 minutes of endless blood and constant pressure applied to the wound, it stopped bleeding.  And my finger is still attached to my body!  #ThankYouJesus.

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What does this, me being a klutz, have to do with today’s post?  Not a thing, aside from the fact that my finger is throbbing as I am typing this out.  (Pity party- table of one)

With that said, let’s get to it and discuss these little lovelies – Blueberry & Whipped Mint Mascarpone Crostini {with Almonds & Honey}.  You guys, these are amazingly simple and seriously delicious!

These crostini are a winning combination of sweet and savory.  They are crunchy on the bottom, minty and creamy in the middle, bursting with sticky, juicy, honey covered blueberries on top and finished with salty, toasted slivers of almonds and lemon zest for a touch of zip.

These blueberry babies are also versatile.  Since they are both sweet and savory, they are perfect for brunch, appetizers, as a snack or dessert.  And they are customizable.  Want to add delicious, festive flare to your 4^th of July menu?  You can make these crostini with strawberries, raspberries, blackberries or a combination of two (or three) on the top.  Or, you could do a row of red fruit topped crostini, followed by a row of blue.  Or, you can be (cool) like me and stick to just one fruit.  Either way, I know you and your party goers are bound to love these.

Until next time, warm wishes for a fabulous 4^th of July, my friends!  I hope it is filled with lots of fun and fantastic food!  Cheers!

-xoxo-

Cheyanne

P.S.  Don’t forget to add these to your 4^th of July menu as well!

Bourbon & Brown Sugar Baked Beans with Candied Bacon

Fully Loaded Tex-Mex BLT Dogs

And, check out my buddy, Kevin @ Kevin is Cooking!  He has a great 4th of July Recipe RoundUp on his blog!

5 from 5 votes

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Blueberry & Whipped Mint Mascarpone Crostini {with Almonds & Honey}

Prep Time

15 mins

Cook Time

5 mins

Total Time

20 mins

 

Toasted, crisp crostini topped with fresh blueberries, creamy mint mascarpone, crunchy almonds and sweet honey. These Blueberry Mascarpone Crostini are the perfect snack, appetizer or starter for summer!

Course: Appetizer, Snack, starter

Cuisine: American

Servings: 16

Calories: 162 kcal

Author: Cheyanne Holzworth

Ingredients

• 1 Baguette – sliced into ¾-1’’ thick slices
• Extra Virgin Olive Oil , for drizzling
• 8-9 oz Mascarpone Cheese (can substitute Ricotta)*
• 1 tsp Honey , plus more for drizzling on top
• 3 TBS Heavy Whipping Cream (can substitute Half-and-Half)
• 1/3 Cup Fresh Mint Leaves – finely chopped, plus more to garnish
• 1 Pint Blueberries
• ½ Cup Almonds – thinly sliced
• Pinch salt
• 1 Lemon ,Zested

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line a large baking sheet with aluminum foil for easy clean up.
2. Prepare the Whipped Mint Mascarpone: In the bowl of a stand mixer, affixed with the whisk attachment, whip together the mascarpone, honey and the heavy whipping cream until thick, light, and slightly fluffy soft peaks start to form. Fold in the fresh mint leaves. Set aside.
3. Arrange slices of baguette on prepared baking sheet. Use a pastry brush to generously apply olive oil to tops of bread. Sprinkle with sea salt.
4. Place in the oven and bake slices of bread until toasted and golden brown, about 3-5 minutes. Remove from oven, transfer to a wire rack or clean work surface and allow to cool.
5. Toast the Almonds: Place a dry skillet over medium heat. Add almond slices and toast, stirring frequently, until golden brown, about 8-10 minutes. Transfer to a plate, bowl or clean work surface.
6. For the Crostini: Spread each slice of bread with some of the whipped mint mascarpone. Top with blueberries and almonds. Drizzle with Honey and garnish with a mint leaf. Enjoy!

Recipe Notes

*My tub of mascarpone was 8.8 Oz.
*Yield: 16-18 Crostini

Nutrition Facts

Blueberry & Whipped Mint Mascarpone Crostini {with Almonds & Honey}

Amount Per Serving

Calories 162 Calories from Fat 90

% Daily Value*

Total Fat 10g 15%

Saturated Fat 4g 20%

Cholesterol 18mg 6%

Sodium 105mg 4%

Potassium 86mg 2%

Total Carbohydrates 14g 5%

Dietary Fiber 1g 4%

Sugars 3g

Protein 3g 6%

Vitamin A 5.9%

Vitamin C 8.2%

Calcium 5.1%

Iron 4.4%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.