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Zesty Cranberry Shrimp Crostini

This elegant appetizer features crispy garlic crostini topped with a vibrant zesty cranberry cream cheese spread and perfectly cooked garlic lemon shrimp, ideal for entertaining.
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Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Servings 6 crostini
Calories 300 kcal

Equipment

  • Small Pot
  • Medium bowl
  • Baking sheet
  • Large Pan
  • Oven
  • Brush

Ingredients
  

For the Zesty Cranberry Cream Cheese Spread:

  • 1 cup fresh or frozen cranberries
  • 1/2 cup orange juice
  • 2 tablespoons honey or maple syrup
  • 1 tablespoon orange zest
  • 8 oz softened cream cheese
  • salt Pinch
  • 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon Optional

For the Garlic Lemon Shrimp:

  • 1 lb medium shrimp peeled, deveined
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes optional
  • Salt to taste
  • Black pepper to taste
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice

For the Crispy Garlic Crostini:

  • 1 fresh baguette sliced thinly (approx. 24-30 slices)
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

For Garnish (Optional):

  • Fresh rosemary sprigs Optional
  • Extra cranberries Optional

Instructions
 

Prepare the Zesty Cranberry Cream Cheese Spread

  • Combine cranberries, orange juice, and honey in a small pot; cook until thickened, then cool completely. Beat softened cream cheese until smooth, then fold in the cooled cranberry mixture, orange zest, and salt, mixing well.

Make the Crispy Garlic Crostini

  • Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Arrange baguette slices on a baking sheet, brush with olive oil, and sprinkle with garlic powder. Bake for 8-12 minutes until golden and crispy, then cool.

Cook the Garlic Lemon Shrimp

  • Heat olive oil in a large pan, sauté minced garlic and red pepper flakes briefly until fragrant. Add shrimp and cook 1-2 minutes per side until pink and opaque. Season with salt and pepper, remove from heat, and squeeze fresh lemon juice over the shrimp.

Assemble the Zesty Cranberry Shrimp Crostini

  • Spread the Zesty Cranberry Cream Cheese Spread generously onto each cooled crostini. Top each with one or two cooked garlic lemon shrimp. Garnish with fresh rosemary sprigs or extra cranberries if desired, and serve immediately.

Notes

Ensure the cranberry spread cools completely before mixing with cream cheese to maintain consistency. Be careful not to overcook the shrimp, as it cooks quickly. For best results, assemble the crostini just before serving to keep them crispy.