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These Pear Crostini with Homemade Whipped Ricotta and Brown Butter Honey are the perfect holiday appetizer! They’re sweet, savory, and seriously addictive!
Pear Crostini with Homemade Whipped Ricotta and Brown Butter Honey
Prep time
Cook time
Total time
Author: Nicole ~ Cooking for Keeps
Serves: 50 crostini
Ingredients
Ricotta
- 16 oz heavy cream
- 6 pints whole milk
- 3 tsp. salt
- 4 Tlbs. apple cider vinegar
Pears
- 5 pears (whatever kind you prefer), peeled, halved and cored
- 4 Tlbs. unsalted butter
- ½ tsp salt
Honey
- 2 Tlbs. unsalted butter
- ½ cup honey
Assembly
- 2 French baguettes, sliced in ½ inch crostini (you should get about 50)
- ⅔ cup chopped toasted hazelnuts
Instructions
Ricotta
- Line a fine colander or sieve with paper towels.
- Add cream and milk to a heavy-bottomed pot. Turn the heat on medium and slowly bring the mixture to a boil, stirring occasionally to prevent burning. Once the mixture comes to a boil, add salt and vinegar. Reduce the heat to a simmer, and stir with a wooden spoon for about 3-4 minutes until mixture curdles and the whey separates from the liquid. Pour the mixture into the colander or sieve and let drain while you prepare the rest of the ingredients. Once the mixture cools, transfer to a food processor and pulse until whipped. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
Pears
- Slice pear halves in half length-wise and then cut horizontally into thin ⅛ inch slices.
- Add butter to a large skillet. Turn the heat on medium-high. Once the butter melts and begins to brown on the edges, use your hand to swirl the pan in a circular motion over the flame. Once the butter turns a deep brown color and smells nutty, turn the heat down to medium and add pears. Stir with a wooden spoon. Cook pears until slightly softened, and caramelized, about 5-7 minutes. You want the pears to be soft, but still have a slight bite to them. If your pears are slightly underripe, they may take longer to cook, vice versa for slightly overripe pears.
Honey
- Add butter to a small saucepan. urn the heat on medium-high. Once the butter melts and begins to brown on the edges, use your hand to swirl the pan in a circular motion over the flame. Once the butter turns a deep brown color and smells nutty, turn the heat off and add honey. Stir to combine and set aside to cool slightly.
For assembly:
- Spread a generous amount of whipped ricotta on each crostini. Artfully place pear slices on top. Drizzle with honey and sprinkle with nuts.
Mary Pisarkiewicz says
This is delicious! I love making these spreads with berries. Love what you did with the apples! thanks for sharing!
Nicole says
Thanks Mary!
Ashley@CookNourishBliss says
I am such a sucker for crostini – they are so cute! And this flavor??? Pass me a few please and thank you!
Nicole says
Thanks love!
Nina Nunez says
Your Pear Crostini look very delicious. Bookmarked for son’s birthday:) Thanks Nicole!
Nicole says
Thank you Nina!
Nancy @ Custom cut glass says
Your Pear Crostini look extremely scrumptious! I like making these spreads with berries. Love what you did with the apples! many thanks for sharing!
Nicole says
Thanks Nancy!
Agness of Run Agness Run says
This sweet and savory appetizer is simply delicious! Thanks Nikole for the recipe.
Nicole says
You are welcome!