8 ounces goat cheese, softened at room temperature
8 slices turkey bacon, cooked until crispy and crumbled
3 tablespoons pure maple syrup
2 tablespoons olive oil
1/2 cup pecans, finely chopped
1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves
1/2 teaspoon cracked black pepper
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Arrange the baguette slices in a single layer on a large baking sheet and lightly brush both sides with olive oil. Bake for about 8 to 10 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown and the bread is crisp to the touch.
While the bread toasts, cook the turkey bacon in a skillet over medium heat until it reaches your desired level of crispiness. Remove it from the heat and let it drain on a paper towel. Once cooled slightly, crumble the turkey bacon into small pieces and set aside in a small bowl.
In a medium mixing bowl, stir the softened goat cheese with a splash of maple syrup and the cracked black pepper until it is smooth and spreadable. If the cheese is too firm, you can add a teaspoon of milk or water to help reach a creamy consistency.
Spread a generous tablespoon of the whipped goat cheese onto each toasted baguette round. Top each one with a sprinkle of the crumbled turkey bacon and the chopped pecans, pressing down lightly so the toppings stick to the cheese.
Drizzle the remaining maple syrup over the assembled crostini and garnish with the fresh thyme leaves. Serve immediately while the bread is still crisp and the flavors are fresh.
