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Ever since I was a little kid I’ve always loved Valentine’s Day, whether I had a Valentine or not. Of course as a young child, no one really has actual boyfriends or girlfriends to spend the day with or buy presents for. You just make a super cute Valentine shoe-box, dress head to toe in pink or red, pick out the girliest valentine to give out to your class, and hope and pray all of those same classmates give you one in return. If you’re lucky you get to have a party in your classroom, chatter about who gave who what, eat some sweets and call it a day.
For me the fun didn’t end at school, my brother and I would come home and my parents would give us Valentine’s Day gift baskets full of everything from candy to jewelry to movies. Sadly, (but not for me!) to this day, my brother and I still get Valentine’s Day gifts from our parents, although the basket is now replaced with a Nordi gift card to support my shopping addiction.
While I love the presents, flowers, and candy that this love holiday brings, the part that I look forward to most on Valentine’s Day is all the amazing food and sweets I get to eat – without feeling even the slightest bit guilty.
Growing up we almost always celebrated the actual night with my parents, so after we tore through our gift baskets we would occasionally go to a nice restaurant just the four of us, but more than often we would stay in to cook up huge four and five course meals with grilled filet mignon, heaps of steamed crab legs, cheesy potato gratins, and homemade crème brulee or chocolate molten cakes for dessert.
Being a grown-up is no exception, I still make sure to partake in every aspect of the holiday, from the flowers to the food. But since Valentine’s Day falls on a week day more than not, I usually prepare a fancy but easy meal the day of and then Kevin takes me out to a nice dinner over the weekend. And while I still haven’t settled on a menu for the big day yet, I do know that I will be serving these love-worthy strawberry and goat cheese crostini as a precursor to our meal.
Of course we all know, (I think) that strawberries and goat cheese are a match made in heaven, but an even greater match made in heaven? Balsamic basil strawberries and goat cheese – which could possibly be my favorite flavor combination at the moment, maybe even more than blue cheese and bacon, if that’s even possible.
Can we just pause for a second though and take a look at the adorable heart-shaped measuring spoons my Grandma and Grandpa got me for an engagement gift?? So cute.
Although strawberries aren’t at their prime season right now, the balsamic vinegar and brown sugar facilitate in bringing out the juiciness of each strawberry, so much so, that they almost become even juicier and sweeter than at the height of summer. The basil chiffonade and pepper that are added to the macerated strawberries add just a touch of savoriness to the dish, and prompt that little voice in your head to wonder what on earth that indistinguishable taste is.
Assembly is simple. Goat cheese is slathered on to crispy crostini and the strawberries are decoratively layered across. Sprinkle with a little bit of extra basil and this easy and elegant appetizer is complete.
- 2 cups strawberries, thinly sliced
- 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
- 1 teaspoon packed brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons basil, cut into a chiffonade (plus more for garnish)
- Pinch of salt
- Pinch of black pepper
- ½ baguette, cut into ½ inch slices
- 4 ounces goat cheese
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
- Combine strawberries, vinegar, sugar, basil, salt, and black pepper together in a small bowl. Let set for 30 minutes to an hour.
- In the meantime, place crostini slices on a large rimmed baking sheet. Bake until slightly crisp about 8 minutes. Let cool.
- Spread goat cheese on toast and then layer balsamic strawberries over. Sprinkle with more basil.

Carita says
So very proud to have such a talented, thoughtful and sweet grandaughter. Thanks for sharing your wonderful recipes.
Nicole says
Aww thanks Grandma! So sweet. 🙂
Alexis says
That seven year old exchange between you and your grandma actually just made my entire weekend. 💜 Peace and health and happiness to you both!
michele says
these look so beautiful!! can’t wait to make them!
Angela Svec says
I saw this recipe on Pinterest this morning and, literally, just made these an hour ago to bring to my mother-in-law’s company for a light lunch… The initial reaction was immediately, “These are bruschetta on crack!!” Everybody LOVED them!! I made 12 servings from this recipe and it was perfect for 4 women. Thank you for sharing!! It was beautiful!! Perfect sweet yet savory taste – our favorite!
Nicole says
You’re very welcome!! I’m glad you loved it so much! 🙂
Julie says
I’m just wondering if you made these ahead of time ? I would like to make them for a
Baby shower I’ll be attending next weekend but afraid if I put them some on a platter and we don’t eat right away they will get soggy !
Diane B. says
I love when I find great recipes and awesome blogs! Will be trying this one this weekend! will come back and let you know how it turned out for me! Thank you!
Jamie says
Is it possible to make these ahead,or do you think will they turn into mush? I have quite a few different crostini’s to make for a shower…I really love this recipe and I enjoyed reading your story connected to it… 🙂 Jamie Lynn
Nicole says
If you mean, can you make the strawberry mixture ahead of time? Absolutely! In fact, it will be even better than if you were to make it right before. I wouldn’t top the crostini until an hour or so before though, because the bread will get soggy which you don’t want. To speed things along, make sure the goat cheese is VERY soft, it will make spreading it on the crostini go SO much faster!! Let me know how they turn out!!
Shay says
how far ahead would you suggest making the mixture?
Nicole says
20 minutes should be plenty of time!
LYNNE says
The balsamic vinegar turned the strawberries brown, so I just drizzled before serving,instead of soaking the berries.