Description
These Christmas Smoked Salmon Crostini are elegant, flavorful appetizers perfect for holiday gatherings. Crispy baguette slices are topped with a creamy dill and lemon-infused cream cheese, delicate smoked salmon, and garnished with capers and fresh dill for a festive touch.
Ingredients
Scale
Bread
- 1-2 baguettes, enough to get about 30-35 ¼-inch slices
- Olive oil spray
Cream Cheese Spread
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened (not melted)
- 1 small lemon, juiced
- 2 tablespoon fresh dill, chopped
- 1 fresh garlic clove, crushed
- Salt, to taste
- Freshly cracked black pepper, to taste
Toppings and Garnish
- 8 oz cold smoked salmon
- Capers
- Fresh dill sprigs
Instructions
- Preheat Oven. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit to prepare for toasting the crostini.
- Prepare Bread Slices. Slice the baguette into ¼-inch to ½-inch slices to obtain about 30-35 pieces. Arrange the slices on a baking sheet in a single layer.
- Toast Bread. Lightly spray both sides of the bread slices with olive oil spray. Bake in the preheated oven for about 9 minutes, flipping halfway through, until the slices turn golden and crisp.
- Cool Crostini. Remove the toasted bread from the oven and set aside to cool completely.
- Make Cream Cheese Mixture. In a medium bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, fresh dill, lemon juice, crushed garlic, salt, and freshly cracked pepper. Mix thoroughly until smooth and well blended.
- Prepare Piping Bag (optional). Spoon the cream cheese mixture into a piping bag for easy and decorative application later, setting it aside.
- Assemble Crostini. Arrange the cooled crostini on a serving platter. Place a slice of smoked salmon on each crostini.
- Add Cream Cheese Dollop. Pipe or spoon a small dollop of the cream cheese mixture on top of each slice of salmon.
- Garnish. Top each crostini with a few capers and a fresh dill sprig for color and flavor.
- Serve. Serve immediately and enjoy these festive appetizers with your guests.
Notes
- For best results, use cold smoked salmon to maintain its delicate texture and flavor.
- If you prefer, substitute fresh lemon juice with bottled lemon juice, though fresh is recommended for brightness.
- Chilling the cream cheese mixture before piping can help it hold shape better.
- Toasting the bread slices ensures they stay crisp even after topping.
- These crostini can be prepared a few hours in advance; keep the toasted bread and cream cheese mixture refrigerated separately to avoid sogginess.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 crostini
- Calories: 85 kcal
- Sugar: 0.5 g
- Sodium: 210 mg
- Fat: 5 g
- Saturated Fat: 2.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 6 g
- Fiber: 0.3 g
- Protein: 4 g
- Cholesterol: 15 mg
