Raisin Jam and Goat Cheese Crostini
If you’re looking for Christmas appetizer recipes, this Raisin Jam and Goat Cheese Crostini topped with pomegranate seeds and fresh basil is an easy holiday recipe with no sugar added.
I was compensated by California Raisins via the Kitchen PLAY network for this recipe. As always, thank you for reading and supporting brands I work with.
I know I’ve been giving you a ton of dessert recipes lately, but today I want to share something savory with a special ingredient. As a baker, it’s no surprise how many pounds of sugar I go through a year. Just last week, I bought 12 pounds of sugar because I was running low in my pantry. Then there’s brown sugar, powdered sugar, coconut sugar, all kinds of sugar. Sugar in my coffee, sugar in my hot chocolate. I think saying that I love sugar is an understatement. With that said, I don’t mind playing with alternatives that can make a recipe a bit healthier, like raisins. Yes, raisins as an alternative to sugar. I was a little skeptical at first, but it totally worked with raisin jam. I love those appetizers where you pair pepper jelly with cream cheese, so why not try it with raisin jam and goat cheese? Recently, California Raisins challenged me to use raisins as a natural way to sweeten recipes. My recipes. Without actual (or very little) sugar. Could I really make this happen? The answer – yes, and this Raisin Jam and Goat Cheese Crostini topped with pomegranate seeds and fresh basil is proof that you don’t need sugar to make an amazing festive appetizer for holiday parties.
Sometimes when I get an idea for a recipe, I’m not sure how it’ll work out. Raisin jam was the first thing to pop into my head. I’m not sure if this really qualifies as a jam by definition since there is no pectin and you use a food processor to smooth it out, but let’s go with it. I started out by caramelizing red onion. Then I added balsamic vinegar for some acidity and raisins for some sweetness. The jam alone was a sweet epiphany (then again, anything with balsamic vinegar is my kryptonite). To balance out the jam, I paired it with goat cheese for a bit of tang and topped with pomegranate seeds for a bit of crunch and fresh basil for a bit of freshness.
I never would’ve tried using raisins as a sweetener, but it does make sense when you think about it. Raisins are an all-natural, dried-by-the-sun fruit with no added sugar. I grew up eating raisins in my oatmeal and only needed to add a sprinkle of brown sugar and cinnamon. Bonus points for being full of iron and potassium with zero fat and no cholesterol. Raisins are also the most economical dried fruit, so this is great news for those of you watching your grocery budgets.
Can I go on the record and say that crostini should totally be acceptable for dinner? I shot this recipe right before dinnertime, which was a big mistake because then all I ate for dinner that night was crostini. I might have made a side of pasta to make it a full meal. No regrets.
Raisin Jam and Goat Cheese Crostini
If you’re looking for Christmas appetizer recipes, this Raisin Jam and Goat Cheese Crostini topped with pomegranate seeds and fresh basil is an easy holiday recipe with no sugar added.
Ingredients
Raisin Jam
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1/2 cup chopped red onion
- 1/8 teaspoon salt
- 1/3 cup balsamic vinegar
- 1/2 cup California Raisins
Crostini
- 12 slices (1/4-inch thick) of baguette
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1/8 teaspoon salt
- 4 ounces goat cheese
- 1/4 cup pomegranate seeds
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh basil
Instructions
For the raisin jam
- In a large skillet over medium heat, heat the oil. Add the onion and cook, stirring often, until soft and lightly golden, about 8-10 minutes.
- Add the vinegar and raisins. Cook until the liquid reduces and becomes syrupy, about 3-5 minutes (do not overcook or it'll become too syrupy).
- Remove from the heat and add to a food processor. Process until it turns into a smooth paste. Transfer to a jar or bowl and let cool.
To assemble the crostini
- Preheat the oven to 350F. Place the baguette slices in a single layer on a baking sheet. Mix together the olive oil and salt then brush both sides of the bread. Bake 10-15 minutes or until toasted. Let cool.
- For each baguette, spread roughly 1 tablespoon goat cheese on one side then spread roughly 1 teaspoon raisin jam on top. Top with 4-5 pomegranate seeds and some chopped basil. Repeat until all of the ingredients are gone. Serve the crostini immediately. Refrigerate any leftover raisin jam.
More Christmas Appetizer Recipes For You
Mini Jalapeno Popper Cheese Ball Bites
Goat Cheese, Bacon, and Pistachio Truffles
Herbed Cream Cheese Grilled Bell Pepper Boats
Disclosure: I was compensated by California Raisins via the Kitchen PLAY network for this recipe. As always, thank you for reading and supporting brands I work with, which allows me to bring you more recipes. All opinions, text, and photographs are my own.
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Carla, these photos are so gorgeous!! I love that you used the raisins to sweeten the jam because I could stand eating less sugar!
Thanks Beth! It’s a little unexpected using raisins instead of sugar, but it totally worked.
What a completely ingenious recipe Carla! Raisin jam?! Perfect for the season and so many ideas where else it could be used! Love this.
I bet you could do a lot with raisin jam on its own! Secret – it almost didn’t make it onto the crostini because I kept eating it from the jar ;) Thanks Toni!
This is beyond creative, Carla. Pass a few of those crostini my way. Pinned.
Thanks! And passing ;)
These are GORGEOUS, Carla! I love pomegranates and the idea of raisin jam sounds Heavenly!
Thanks, Becca! I just recently discovered I love pomegranate seeds, so I included some for crunch and color.
I never would have thought to use raisins as a sweetener, I cannot wait to try it!
I was pretty amazed at how well they worked as a sweetener. Who knew! :)
Oh, crostini is REGULARLY a dinner here in my house. Especially if I happen to make two different kinds, and refer to it as a “crostini bar.” hahaha.
You know that I’m all about a balance of sweet and savory things, and these are totally up my alley. I love the natural sweetness of raisins. They’re probably more of a pantry staple for me than sugar, actually!
Raisins are starting to become my go-to sweetener for oatmeal in the mornings. Not that I used much sugar to begin with, but the raisins add that much needed touch. And love the idea of the “crostini bar” – it’s kinda like the same thing as a salad bar, right?
If it’s not a jam, then maybe it’s a fruit spread. Whatever the case may be, it looks delicious!
I was thinking the same thing about the fruit spread, but then I decided jam sounded a little more fancier for appetizers ;) Thanks!
Oh crostini’s are a staple dinner of ours all the time! So no shame there ;) And the raisin and balsamic vinegar jam is genius. Everything I love wrapped into one sweet bite!
I mean crostini is like a mini compact dinner right? Have all the flavors in one handheld bite? ;) Thanks Meg!
This looks fantastic, Carla! I love that you put vinegar in the jam for that savory kick, and the raisins add the perfect sweet touch.
The balance of the vinegar and raisins really do make this jam shine. Thanks Annemarie!
Oh my goodness! Talk about holiday entertaining perfection! These crostini are exquisite. Have to give these a try soon.
What an inspired creative idea!!!! I am giving a couple of gold stars for this. Different and easy too!
Raisins are my jam. Okay I had to. :) I really love this flavor combo! Great idea!
Carla, this is so creative! Mind blowing! I need to try the raisin jam!
This crostini looks delicious! Love the idea of a raisin jam…yum!
Hi ! We put up a list of the TOP 100 best Christmas recipes for 2015. Your recipe was also included on this list. Go check it out at: http://ohmydish.com/100-best-christmas-recipes-2015/ Greetings, Veronique and Marco from ohmydish.com
Mmmmmm…..yum. This looks totally amazing. I’m just starring at the screen looking at how delicious they look. : )
I always hungry to see that types of delicious food .. thanks to share with that type of items…
That looks really, truly delicious. I think I’m coming to live at your house ;)
My mouth is watering just reading this and looking at the pics, this sounds like perfect comfort food after a long day.
this is AWESOME!!! yummy. I can’t wait to try this! Pinned!