Last Updated March 29th, 2021 at 10:30 pm by Lisa
Crostini is an easy appetizer topped with a cream cheese spread, edible flowers, and herbs for Easter, wedding showers, or Mother's Day.
The baguette slices are brushed with good olive oil, and toasted until the bread has a golden crisp crunch. Then each crostini is slathered with the herb cream cheese mix and then crowned with Spring garden (safe and edible 😉) flowers and herbs.
Your celebration will be one to remember with gorgeous party food like this...
What is Crostini?
Crostini Defined: (noun) small pieces of toasted or fried bread served with a topping as an appetizer or canapé.
How To Pronounce Crostini?
kraw-stee-nee
Making Crostini Toasts
Step 1: Slice 1 baguette diagonally with a serrated bread knife.
Step 2: Brush each slice with olive oil on both sides.
Step 3: Choose your cooking method for the bagutte slices:
Outdoor Grill: toast for 15 to 20 seconds on each side, until nicely marked, then remove with tongs and set aside.
Oven Broil: adjust the rack so the slices are 2 inches from the flame and turn when the crostini starts to get golden at the edges, this happens in just a couple of minutes, so stay by the stove!
Indoor Grill Pan: Heat your cast iron grill pan and flip over after 30-60 seconds once toasted brown.
Step 4: Cool the bread on a tray before assembling.
This is how I made my crostini toasts, on a cast iron grill pan on the stovetop. If you don't have a cast-iron pan, simply use your broiler or take it out to your grill.
Cream Cheese Spread
In a stand mixer with a beater, or bowl with a hand mixer, or bowl with a spoon, stir whipped cream cheese or softened cream cheese, celery salt, and herbs.
- Finely mince all your fresh herbs: parsley, basil, dill, chives. You will need 2 tablespoons.
- In a stand mixer with beater, or bowl with hand mixer, or bowl with spoon, stir whipped cream cheese or softened cream cheese, celery salt, and herbs. Tip: Use a hand mixer to soften the cream cheese block quickly and make it fluffy. Rest the block in a bowl on the counter for an hour to soften. It will be easier to mix in the herbs and celery salt.
- The cream cheese spread can be made up to a day ahead, covered, and refrigerated.
- Snip your herbs into small pieces, and select the flowers you want to use. I like to sometimes just use some petals, it looks beautiful.
Now, Let's Talk Edible Flowers
Hey, you certainly don't have to eat them, but they make a beautiful statement. Take a look at this edible flower chart.
Where To Order Edible Flowers:
- Edible flowers can be ordered through the produce department of your local grocery store, gourmet markets, ordered online, or through Costco.
- You can grow edible flowers in your garden, just be sure that they are organic, pesticide-free, and safe to eat as an edible flower.
- Organic edible dried flowers are an option, look beautiful, and are available online.
Top Edible Flower Tips
Use common sense and care when choosing your flowers.
Common Edible Flower List
Arugula, Bachelor's Buttons, Basil Blossom, Borage, Buzz Button, Calendula, Carnation, Camelia, Chive, Blossom, Chrysanthemum, Dahlia, Daylily, Garlic Blossom, Hibiscus, Hollyhock, Lavender, Lilac, Marigold, Nasturtium, Orchid, Pansy, Peony, Rose, Snapdragon, Squash Blossom, Violet, and Viola.
- Buy flowers that are marked edible flowers online. Not all flowers are safe.
- Please do your research, make sure your flowers are safe to eat. If they a known safe edible flower, they are okay to eat!
- If you’re unsure, don't experiment.
- Avoid flowers from a florist.
- Wash and use clean flowers thoroughly before using them in recipes or eating them, even if you grow them yourself or buy them. Avoid fertilizers, contaminated water, etc.
This is the box of edible flowers from Costco, I had it shipped to my home. It arrived packed with cool packs and was in great condition, and is a large box and costs $39.99.
It was fine in the fridge for a couple of days until I made the crostini recipe. Costco does not ship perishables over the weekend or for delivery on the weekend. I love Costco Delivery, it is FREE, have you tried this yet? It could change your life ; )
Also see my post on how to make a DIY Garden Party Flower Ice Bucket to chill wine, champagne, or any large bottle, and it is perfect to use the extra flowers from this recipe. So easy and SO cute!
To make the crostini toasts ahead of time, grill them, and cool completely to room temperature. Store in airtight containers for up to two days on the counter. You may need to re-crisp the crostini in the oven on a sheet pan for a few minutes, to remove any moisture.
-Olive Tapenade
-Smoked Salmon, Cream Cheese, and Dill
-Blue Cheese, Pear, and Honey
-Caprese - Heirloom, Basil, Mozerella, & Balsamic Drizzle Glaze
-Goat Cheese, Honey, and Strawberry Slices
-Roast Beef slices and Prepared Horseradish
-BLT - Mayo, Crispy Bacon, Lettuce, and Tomato
-Pesto, Ricotta, and Red Pepper Flakes
-Holiday: Cranberry and Brie
On Salads, appetizers like Crostini, float on top of cocktails or use petals and flowers on cookies and desserts like cakes or cupcakes. You can make DIY frozen ice cubes or even a bucket to chill champagne or wine.
Garden Frozen Floral Ice Buckets are perfect for an outdoor garden party, wedding shower, or lunch in the garden!
More Appetizers
Easy appetizers make a party!
Appetizer parties are a relaxed way to entertain with a couple of chip dips like Guacamole served with tortilla chips. People rave about this oven-baked Jalapeno Popper Dip or make fast and easy French Onion Dip, great to whip up in minutes served with potato chips.
For holiday parties, try a few of these Thanksgiving Appetizers. These easy holiday recipes include Deviled Eggs, Brie and Bacon Palmiers, and a gorgeous Crostini Bar!
More Crostini
You will LOVE entertaining with a Crostini Bar! I share loads of ideas and inspiration from design to crostini topping.
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Crostini: Spring Garden Edible Flowers + Herbs
Equipment
Ingredients
Crostini
- 1 baguette
- ¼ cup olive oil
Cream Cheese Spread
- 8 oz. cream cheese softened, whipped prefered
- ¼ teaspoon celery salt
- 2 tablespoons finely minced: parsley, basil, dill, chives
Garnish
- ¼ cup mint and dill small pieces
- 1 box edible flowers use flowers or petals
Instructions
Make Crostini Toasts
- Slice 1 baguette diagonally with a serrated bread knife.
- Brush each slice with olive oil on both sides.
- Choose your grill method for the Baguette Slices: Outdoor Grill: toast for 15 to 20 seconds on each side, until nicely marked, then remove with tongs and set aside.Oven Broil: Adjust the rack so the slices are 2 inches from the flame and turn when the crostini starts to get golden at the edges, this happens in just a couple of minutes, so stay by the stove!Indoor Grill Pan: Heat your cast iron grill pan and flip over after 30-60 seconds once browned and grill-marked. Cool the bread on a tray before assembling.
- Cool the bread on a tray before assembling.
Make Cream Cheese Spread
- Finely mince all your fresh herbs: parsley, basil, dill, chives. You will need 2 tablespoons.
- Prepare Garnish: Snip your herbs into small pieces, and select the flowers you want to use for the top. I like to sometimes just use some flower petals, it looks beautiful.
- In a stand mixer with beater, or bowl with hand mixer, or bowl with spoon, stir whipped cream cheese or softened cream cheese, celery salt, and herbs.Tip: Use a hand mixer to soften the cream cheese block quickly and make it fluffy. Rest the block in a bowl on the counter for an hour to soften. It will be easier to mix in the herbs and celery salt.
- The cream cheese spread can be made up to a day ahead, covered, and refrigerated.
Garnish and Decorate
- Spread Cream Cheese Spread on each slice of cooled bread.
- Garnish with edible flowers either whole or use the petals, mint, parsley, and dill or anything you like from your garden or farmers market just be sure they are organic and safely edible!
Notes
Grilled Crostini
Grill marks look great, but it's more important to get a nice golden toast on the bread. The herb spread will cover the bread, so don't be too concerned if they aren't all perfect.Herb Spread
You can use whipped cream cheese! Or a regular block of cream cheese. Use a hand mixer to soften the cream cheese quickly and get it fluffy, otherwise rest in a bowl on the counter for an hour to soften, this makes it easier to stir in the herbs and celery salt. This Cream Cheese Herb Topping can be made a day ahead, covered, and refrigerated. Just pull it out of the fridge an hour or so before you want to use it, so it spreads easier.Make Crostini Toasts Ahead
To make the crostini toasts ahead of time, grill them, and cool completely to room temperature. Store in airtight containers for up to two days on the counter. You may need to re-crisp the crostini in the oven on a sheet pan for a few minutes, to remove any moisture.Edible Flowers and Herbs
- Edible flowers can be ordered through the produce department of your local grocery store, ordered online, or through Costco.
- You can grow edible flowers in your garden, just be sure that they are organic, pesticide-free, and safe to eat as an edible flower.
- Organic edible dried flowers are an option, look beautiful, and are available online.
Top Edible Flower Tips
Use common sense and care when choosing your flowers.Common Edible Flower List
Arugula, Bachelor's Buttons, Basil Blossom, Borage, Buzz Button, Calendula, Carnation, Camelia, Chive, Blossom, Chrysanthemum, Dahlia, Daylily, Garlic Blossom, Hibiscus, Hollyhock, Lavender, Lilac, Marigold, Nasturtium, Orchid, Pansy, Peony, Rose, Snapdragon, Squash Blossom, Violet, and Viola.- Buy flowers that are marked edible flowers online. Not all flowers are safe.
- Please do your research, make sure your flowers are safe to eat. If they a known safe edible flower, they are okay to eat!
- If you’re unsure, don't experiment.
- Avoid flowers from a florist.
- Wash and use clean flowers thoroughly before using them in recipes or eating them, even if you grow them yourself or buy them. Avoid fertilizers, contaminated water, etc.
Fabulously delicious! What a wonderful idea for a spring party.
Thanks for all the great tips. Ordering some edible flower seeds now.
Thanks!!
Absolutely stunning presentation, which I love. The spread is light and spring-y. This recipe is easy, delightful, and beautiful to share with guests.