If you are looking for the best game day appetizer, look no further! This Cranberry Bacon Jam Crostini is the ultimate flavor combination. Anytime I make this amazing appetizer, people are always asking for the recipe because it is so delicious.
What makes this recipe so delicious is the Cranberry Bacon Jam. Don’t let this recipe scare you! With a little preparation, you can put this recipe together pretty easily.
I’m sharing a few tips and walking you through how to make this recipe from start to finish, beginning with bacon, because how could I not?
How to cook bacon in the oven:
My favorite way to cook bacon is by baking it in the oven! Cooking bacon in the oven is quick and easy, it cooks evenly, and the bacon comes out perfectly crisp every time.
If you are short on time, you could use some precooked bacon from the store but it won’t be as good. You also will end up using some of the bacon grease to cook your onions in, so you don’t want to miss out on all that extra flavor!
Line a half baking sheet with aluminum foil, place a cooling rack on top of it and lay bacon on top in an even layer.
Bake at 400 degrees F. for 18-22 minutes, watching to make sure it doesn’t burn.
Remove the bacon from the oven, blot up excess grease with a paper towel, let cool then coarsely chop or crumble.
How to Make Cranberry Bacon Jam:
The homemade Cranberry Bacon Jam used on these crostini is nothing short of extraordinary!
Heat 2 tablespoons of bacon fat from the baking sheet to a skillet over medium heat. Add onion and cooked for 5-10 minutes, or until it begins turning golden brown.
Add salt, brown sugar and red wine vinegar and stir until combined.
Add cooked bacon, cranberry juice, dried cranberries and season with salt and pepper, as desired.
Stir and cook for 10-15 minutes, or until the jam thickens and turns brown in color.
Store jam in an airtight container in the refrigerator until ready to use.
How To Make Cranberry Bacon Jam Crostini:
Now that you’ve done all that preparation, you are finally ready to make your Cranberry Bacon Jam Crostini!
To make crostini, preheat oven to high broil. Cut a baguette into slices about 3/4″ thick.
Cut smoked cheddar into slices. If you can’t find smoked cheddar, I’ve also tried this recipe with Brie cheese and it was so delicious.
Place baguette slices in an even layer on a baking sheet sprayed with nonstick cooking spray.
Top with sliced cheese and a tablespoon of cranberry bacon jam.
Place baking sheet in the oven and broil for 1-2 minutes, or until cheese is melted.
Remove from the oven and garnish with fresh parsley, if desired. Serve warm and enjoy.
The best holiday appetizers:
- Easy Red Pepper Jelly
- Jalapeño Popper Deviled Eggs
- Cheesy Refried Bean Dip
- Slow Cooker Artichoke Spinach Dip
- Individual Seven Layer Dip Cups
Elyse
Serves: 15
Toasted baguettes topped with smoked cheddar cheese and flavorful cranberry bacon jam.
35 minPrep Time
2 minCook Time
37 minTotal Time
Save RecipeIngredients
- 1 pound thick cut bacon
- 1 onion (minced)
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 1/4 cup red wine vinegar
- 1/2 cup cranberry juice
- 1/2 cup dried cranberries
- salt and pepper, to taste
- 1 baguette (sliced)
- 8 ounces smoked cheddar cheese (sliced)
- parsley (for garnish)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
- Cover a half baking sheet in foil and lay bacon in a single layer in the pan.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until crispy.
- Remove bacon from the oven and transfer to a plate lined with paper towels to absorb excess grease. Use another paper towel to blot the top of the bacon to absorb grease.
- Coarsely chop or crumble cooked bacon; set aside.
- Heat 2 tablespoons of bacon fat from the baking sheet to a skillet over medium heat.
- Add onion and cooked for 5-10 minutes, or until it begins turning golden brown.
- Add salt, brown sugar and red wine vinegar and stir until combined.
- Add cooked bacon, cranberry juice, dried cranberries and season with salt and pepper, as desired.
- Stir and cook for 10-15 minutes, or until the jam thickens and turns brown in color.
- Store jam in an airtight container in the refrigerator until ready to use.
- To make crostini, preheat oven to high broil.
- Place baguette slices in an even layer on a baking sheet sprayed with nonstick cooking spray.
- Top with sliced cheese and a tablespoon of cranberry bacon jam.
- Place baking sheet in the oven and broil for 1-2 minutes, or until cheese is melted.
- Remove from the oven and garnish with fresh parsley, if desired.
- Serve warm.
Notes
The Cranberry Bacon Jam can be made ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator for a few days before being used.
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