Cranberry, Fig & Mascarpone Crostini

This post features a recipe for a Cranberry, Fig & Mascarpone Crostini and has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #BetterWithCraisins #CollectiveBias

The holidays have come and gone – a season filled with family, friends, parties and, of course – good food. For me, it’s all about the appetizers and hors d’oeuvres.This recipe for a Cranberry, Fig & Mascarpone Crostini is my version of something similar I had at a holiday party at the beginning of the season. I took what I loved about the crostini changed it up a bit with bacon, mascarpone and a fig jam.

Cranberries were a natural choice. Craisins® Dried Cranberries are always in my pantry. These little gems are a go-to in my kitchen, especially since 1/4 cup of Craisins® provides 1/2 cup serving of fruit. They can bring the zing to a variety of different recipes! I sprinkle these over salads, in yogurt, breakfast oatmeal and more. Lately, I’ve been adding them to more foods – like rice dishes, casseroles and stuffing. You can find them at Walmart in the dried fruits aisle.

While I was there, I also picked up the new Craisins® Fruit Clusters – Cranberry Granola.

This Crostini recipe calls for Mascarpone (but you could also use Ricotta), Cranberries, Fig Jam, Bacon and Pistachios.

The flavor combination is amazing. Putting these together is really quite simple – nothing complicated. You can prepare these for guests before dinner or even make a few up as a snack.

You’ll also need to have Crostini, which is easy enough to make yourself or buy. I usually start by cooking a few strips of bacon — and once those are fully cooked and crispy, I like to add the Craisins® to cook with the bacon for just a minute or so.

Next, spread the mascarpone, followed by fig jam on each piece of crostini. You’ll then add the bacon and cranberry mixture on top, followed by a sprinkle of crushed pistachios. If you like, you can drizzle with just a bit of honey. I know you’ll agree the the combination in flavors is amazing!

Another product that I think is amazing is the Craisins® Fruit Clusters – Cranberry & Granola. These combine the crunch of granola with the chewy flavor of Craisins®. I love to change up my yogurt so these are perfect! They are also great on a salad, too!

Share with me, what is your favorite thing to add Craisins® to?

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Cranberry, Fig & Mascarpone Crostini

Recipe type: Appetizer

Prep time: 10 mins

Cook time: 5 mins

Total time: 15 mins

Serves: 10

Ingredients

10 Small Crostini Slices
¾ c. Mascarpone cheese
½ c. Craisins® Dried Cranberries
1 tbsp chopped pistachio (for topping)
2 tbsp fig jam
2 slices of bacon - cooked

Instructions

Take cooked bacon and add to a clean pan - continue to cook until crispy.
Remove from heat, drain bacon on paper towel to rid of excess oil.
Return to pan and continue to cook on low heat, adding in the cranberries for 1-2 minutes.
Remove from heat and allow to cool.
Spread Mascarpone onto each crostini. Next, smear a small amount of fig jam on top of the cheese.
Top with the bacon & cranberry mixture and sprinkle with crushed pistachd.
OptionaL: Drizzle with honey.