Cheddar, Apple & Honey Crostini

 

1 French Demi Baguette (7 oz./198g), cut into 1/4 inch slices, slightly on the diagonal

Extra-virgin olive oil

2 small or medium sized Honey Crisp Apples (unpeeled0, cut into thin slices

1/2 C. Trader Joe’s Unexpected Cheddar Cheese Spread (see notes)

Good quality honey

4-5 sprigs of fresh thyme, leaves removed

 

Preheat oven to 400 degrees (F). Lightly brush both sides of the baguette slices with olive oil and place on a heavy bottomed rimmed baking sheet. Bake the baguette slices for 9-11 minutes until golden, turning over once midway through the baking process. Remove from the oven and let cool slightly (approximately 6-8 minutes). Spread about two tsp. of the Unexpected Cheddar Cheese Spread on each crostini. Don’t be skimpy with the cheese. Top with 3-4 apple slices. Transfer the crostini to your serving platter. Use a fork to drizzle honey over each crostini. Then sprinkle each with fresh thyme leaves. Serve immediately. Note: The honey will melt into the apples. Serve the crostini with a side bowl of honey for anyone who wants their crostini a little sweeter. Notes: (1) Instead of making your crostini, make them on the grill. Brush both sides with olive olive and grill. Cooking time will range from 6-8 minutes depending on the heat of the grill. Be certain to flip your bread slices midway through the grilling process. (2) The Unexpected Cheddar Cheese Spread from Trader Joe’s is insanely delicious. Buy at least two on your Trader Joe’s run. (3) Use a high quality honey, preferably one from a reliable source. (4) If serving a larger crowd, buy a regular sized french baguette, pick up an extra Honey Crisp apple, and use a few more thyme sprigs. (5) Bjorn’s Lavender Colorado Honey was what I used to make these crostini. I am absolutely in love with this honey.