Ingredients:

  • 1 loaf French Baguette (medium size)
  • 2 Tbsp Extra Virgin Olive Oil
  • Sea Salt & Freshly Ground Black Pepper, to taste
  • 6 oz Dubliner Cheese (shredded or thinly sliced)
  • 1 medium Crisp Apple (e.g., Honeycrisp or Granny Smith)
  • 1 tsp Fresh Thyme Leaves
  • 2 Tbsp High-Quality Honey or Maple Syrup
  • 1/4 cup Chopped Walnuts or Pecans (optional)

Instructions:

  1. Position oven rack 6-8 inches from the heating element. Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C) and prepare the broiler. Slice the baguette into 1/2-inch (1.25 cm) thick diagonal rounds.
  2. Arrange the baguette slices on a baking sheet. Lightly brush both sides with olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Bake for 5-7 minutes, flipping halfway, until the bread is lightly golden and crisp. Remove and cool slightly.
  3. While the bread is toasting, core the apple and slice it thinly (ideally 1/8 inch or 3 mm).
  4. Layer each toasted crostini slice with a generous mound of Dubliner cheese, followed by 2-3 thin apple slices (slightly overlapping). Sprinkle a small amount of fresh thyme leaves over the toppings.
  5. Place the baking sheet back under the broiler. Broil for 1-3 minutes. Monitor continuously and remove the moment the cheese is bubbly and starting to turn a light golden color around the edges.
  6. Transfer the crostini immediately to a serving platter. Drizzle generously with honey or maple syrup and garnish with the optional chopped nuts. Serve warm.