Cranberry Bacon Jam Crostini

Prep Time 20 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 10 minutes
Servings 20

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Cranberry Bacon Jam and cheese on top of a crusty baguette, topped with chopped walnuts for extra crunch — these crostini are the perfect combination of sweet, smoky, salty and cheesy!

cranberry bacon jam crostini on a sliced baguette with walnuts and parsley lined up on a sheet pan

So, this post was originally going to be some kind of way (way way way way) over the top fudge recipe, but I was looking at my calendar, and since I’ve color coded sweet and savory recipes to make sure there’s a balance, it was pretty easy to see that there was absolutely no balance in December. Sweets won out!

Now, I still have way more sweet recipes in December than others, but I’m letting myself get away with it because…. well, it’s my blog. And I can eat cookies the whole month of December if I want to.

overhead image of six cranberry bacon jam crostini on sheet pan

But I thought I should have at least a few savory holiday options for you, but I couldn’t let go of my love of cranberries this time of year (Maybe this Cranberry Apple Cider rings a bell? Or these White Chocolate Cranberry Sweet Rolls? Cranberry Chocolate Chunk Blondies?).

And then bacon and cheese because bacon and cheese. I can’t seem to make many appetizers without them.

white cake plate with cranberry bacon jam crostini on op and fresh parsley on the side

I used a Smoked Cheddar from a local cheese company, and it was totally unreal. It complements the smokiness of the bacon so well! I just love all of the different flavors and textures in these crostini: sweet, salty, smoky, cheesy flavors. Gooey, chewy, crunchy, saucy textures. It really is everything you want in one bite!

close up of cranberry bacon jam crostini on sheet pan with walnuts and parsley
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Cranberry Bacon Jam Crostini

4.78 from 18 votes
These Cranberry Bacon Jam Crostini are a fun a holiday appetizer, loaded with sweet and smoky flavours!
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 50 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 10 minutes
Cuisine American
Course Appetizer
Servings 20
Calories 274cal

Ingredients

Cranberry Bacon Jam:

  • 1 lb bacon (finely chopped)
  • 1 medium onion (finely chopped)
  • 2 cloves garlic (finely minced)
  • ½ cup brown sugar (lightly packed)
  • ½ cup cranberry juice
  • ½ cup dried cranberries
  • ¼ cup maple syrup
  • 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon brewed coffee (hot or cold)

Crostini:

  • 1 baguette thinly sliced (you'll get about 20 slices)
  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • 10 slices good quality cheese (cut in half) smoked cheddar, havarti, or gouda recommended
  • toasted chopped walnuts, for garnish
  • fresh chopped parsley, for garnish

Instructions

Cranberry Bacon Jam

  • In a large saucepan, cook the bacon until nicely browned. Remove from pan, saving about 2 tablespoons bacon fat. (Drain the rest off)
  • In remaining bacon fat, cook the onions over medium heat until translucent. Add garlic and cook about a minute until fragrant.
  • Add bacon back to the pan with the brown sugar, cranberry juice, cranberries, maple syrup, balsamic vinegar, and coffee.
  • Cook over medium-low heat (a gentle bubble), for about 30 minutes until thickened and syrupy (there shouldn't be a lot of liquid remaining). Taste and adjust salt and pepper as desired and set aside. (This can easily be made ahead and stored in the fridge, but you may need to warm it before spreading!)

Crostini:

  • Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and preheat the oven to 400℉.
  • Lightly butter one side of each bread slice, and place on baking sheet with the butter face down. Place pan in the oven for 3-4 minutes, until the bottom is lightly toasted. Flip bread slices and top with cheese. Spoon about 1 tablespoon of bacon jam on top of cheese and place in the oven for 4-5 minutes, until the bacon jam is warmed through and the cheese is melted.
  • Top with chopped walnuts and parsley if desired.

Notes

Making ahead:
The bacon jam keeps well in the refrigerator and is great on sandwiches, pizza, or right off the spoon!
The bacon jam can be made up to a week ahead, which reduces your prep at the time of your even.

Nutrition Information

Calories: 274cal | Carbohydrates: 19g | Protein: 11g | Fat: 16g | Saturated Fat: 7g | Cholesterol: 34mg | Sodium: 474mg | Potassium: 126mg | Sugar: 11g | Vitamin A: 260IU | Vitamin C: 1.1mg | Calcium: 233mg | Iron: 0.7mg
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Meet Ashley

My name is Ashley Fehr and I love creating easy meals my family loves. I also like to do things my way, which means improvising and breaking the rules when necessary. Here you will find creative twists on old favorites and some of my favorite family recipes, passed down from generations!

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Comments

  1. Camie says

    I love this recipe!! I’ve been making this for about 3 years for holidays! I use Irish cheddar cheese-yum!

    Can you freeze this jam?

  2. Linda Hadaway says

    When do you add the dried cranberries? Read the recipe several times, and can not find where you add them.

  3. Jacqueline Young says

    I have made this recipe for every Thanksgiving and now I make just the jam and add it to hamburgers. Every.single.time. I make it, people ALWAYS ask for the recipe! So delish!

  4. Karla Escolas says

    I got all the ingredients to make this for Thanksgiving, hoping for a different and exciting new app to wow everyone with. So i followed the instructions to make a head of time and 45 mind before ppl were to arrive, i pulled the jam from the fridge and it wad hard as a rock! Couldnt get the jam out to complete, i was so disappointed.

4.78 from 18 votes (13 ratings without comment)

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