Recipe

Imagine this: warm, crunchy baguette slices topped with sticky-sweet bacon jam, melty smoked Gouda, and a whisper of fresh thyme. One bite and you get smoke, salt, sweetness, and that irresistible cheese pull. These Gouda Bacon Jam Crostini are the appetizer that disappears first at every gathering — and they’re embarrassingly easy to make.

The secret? A silky layer of smoked Gouda that melts in seconds and homemade bacon jam you’ll want to eat with a spoon. A quick crank with the Geedel Rotary Cheese Grater gives you perfect fluffy Gouda shreds every time — no knuckle scrapes, just pure cheese magic.

🍎Ingredients (makes about 20–24 pieces)

1 French baguette, sliced diagonally

8 oz smoked Gouda (block, not pre-shredded)

½ lb bacon, chopped

1 large sweet onion, finely diced

¼ cup brown sugar

¼ cup apple cider vinegar

2 tbsp maple syrup or honey

⅓ cup strong brewed coffee (or water)

2 sprigs fresh thyme (plus extra for garnish)

Olive oil, salt & pepper

🧀Step-by-Step: Crostini Heaven in 4 Moves

1. Make the Bacon Jam

Cook bacon until crispy, remove and leave 2 tbsp fat. Sauté onion until soft and golden (8–10 min). Add sugar, vinegar, maple, coffee, and thyme. Simmer on low until thick and jammy (stir occasionally). Stir bacon back in. Cool slightly — it thickens more as it sits.

2. Shred the Gouda Like a Pro

Lock your cheese grater hand crank Grater to the counter, pop in the coarse blade, and crank that smoked Gouda into fluffy, melty perfection. Pile it high — you’ll thank us later.

3. Toast the Baguette

Brush slices with olive oil, season lightly, and bake at 400°F until golden and crisp (flip halfway). Or toast in a skillet for extra crunch.

4. Assemble & Devour

Spoon warm bacon jam on each toast. Top with a generous mound of shredded Gouda. Flash under the broiler for 60–90 seconds until bubbly and golden. Garnish with thyme leaves. Serve warm and watch them vanish.

🍯Tips & Twists

Make-ahead: Bacon jam keeps 2 weeks in the fridge.

Vegetarian swap: Use coconut “bacon” and smoked salt.

Heat kick: Add a pinch of chili flakes to the jam.

Fancy finish: Drizzle with hot honey right before serving.

🥓Conclusion: The Appetizer Everyone Photographs First

These Gouda Bacon Jam Crostini are sweet, smoky, cheesy perfection — the kind of bite that makes people ask “who made these?!” With the mandoline slicer for kitchen, you get flawless fluffy cheese every time, turning an already-addictive recipe into pure party legend.