A simple summer appetizer: blackberries + mascarpone cheese with thyme and lemon zest. (vegan option).
Updated: Nov 28, 2022
Now that it’s nearly summer, I’ve been making more and more things with less and less ingredients. Lately, I’ve been in love with this juicy little blackberry bite – it’s simple, sweet & bright, with an unexpected savory note from the thyme leaves.
These would be beautiful (not to mention ridiculously easy to assemble) for any last minute cocktail party. The only thing missing here: a patio & a few glasses of prosecco. It’s 5 o’ clock somewhere right?
blackberry & lemon zest crostini
Author: Jeanine Donofrio
Ingredients
- slices of toasted baguette
- mascarpone cheese (see vegan version in the notes)
- blackberries (macerated w/ a pinch of sugar and salt)
- lemon zest
- a few thyme leaves
- drizzle of honey
- optional - more salt, to taste
Instructions
- Place blackberries in a small bowl, add a pinch (or two) of sugar and a small pinch of salt. Stir, and let sit at room temp for 20-30 minutes. (you can skip this step, it just makes them a bit juicier).
- Assemble crostini with a spread of mascarpone cheese, a few blackberries, top with lemon zest.
Notes
gluten free version: use toasted gluten free bread or crackers.
vegan version: make cashew "cream": 1.5 cups soaked raw cashews, drain and rinse, then blend (in a high speed blender) with the juice of 1 small lemon, ½ cup water (more as needed), and a few pinches of salt. Blend until creamy, then chill before serving. (Also - skip the honey on top).
vegan version: make cashew "cream": 1.5 cups soaked raw cashews, drain and rinse, then blend (in a high speed blender) with the juice of 1 small lemon, ½ cup water (more as needed), and a few pinches of salt. Blend until creamy, then chill before serving. (Also - skip the honey on top).
So fresh and flavourful. Loved it!
So glad you enjoyed it, Rachel!
I am hosting a baby shower and wanted a unique appetizer. Made these for my husband and I to try last night and they were amazing! I didn’t realize you had used mascarpone cheese. I had Laurel Chenel Orange Blossom Honey Goat Cheese and used that. I live in Oregon and the blackberries are just arriving at the market. The lemon zest and thyme leaves are a must, such a beautiful flavor combination. We will try these again tonight with the mascarpone!
Hi Linda, I’m so glad you enjoyed them! I bet they were delicious with the goat cheese!
I love your photos, they are gorgeous!!
Wowww all of your creations look and sound so heavenly! These are so delish, I can tell….it has all my favorite ingredients in one . 😀
I all the time used to read paragraph in news papers but now as I am
a user of internet so from now I am using net for posts, thanks to web.
YUM!! I love crostinis, seriously they are a perfect food and if i were to ever open a resto it would be one dedicated entirely to crostinis. and tequila. this version looks bomb. roberta’s in brooklyn has a version that’s smoked ricotta, fresh thyme, honey and cracked black pepper that is just so perfect.
These look absolutely amazing and so simple! I can’t wait to whip these up this weekend.
Perfect for this time of year. Different. Easy. Happy face makers.
Lol
These look divine! I love anything that it’s socially acceptable to eat with my hands, and these crostinis are just too cute. I’ve never made cashew cream before, but I’ll definitely have to give it a shot, maybe even with a little agave nectar drizzled overtop.
These look so good and perfect summer appetizer!
berries and mascarpone with honey – this is a perfect combination..and its always always 5 o’clock somewhere 🙂
This is the best idea ever! I could see the blackberries being macerated with a little balsamic too for a more pronounced savory/sweet. Yum!
balsamic would definitely be a tasty addition 🙂
I love the combination of blackberries and goat cheese – but I have never tried marscapone. What a perfect appetizer for summer!! Yum!
thanks! It’s mild like cream cheese (I like it because it’s creamier and easier to spread) – although for a bolder flavor you could use goat cheese.
This looks yummy !
Does this count as an appetizer or dessert?
Or breakfast 🙂
ha – I’ll consider it any of those 3 🙂
These sound wonderful; I love the combination of creamy cheese and the bright and tart fruit. What a sophisticated little mouthful!
I love this idea! And they look stunning.
I love the simplicity. As I am constantly traveling and rebuilding kitchens, I am always on the hunt for quick recipes that will yield amazing results with few ingredients. If it winter wasn’t turning the corner here in Santiago, Chile, I would definitely be making these for fellow travelers.
These are so simple yet really elegant and tasty looking. I love the use of less and less ingredients over the summer, my plan too:)
This looks incredibly delicious!
Ahh yes the summer time is when I go simple in the kitchen too, and now you have me craving prosecco 🙂 Beautiful pictures by the way!