- 1 cup pitted and halved dark sweet cherries
- 1 small shallot , cut in half lengthwise then sliced
- 1 heaping tbsp fresh basil , chopped, plus more for garnish
- 2 tsp extra virgin olive oil , plus more for brushing the baguette
- Pinch of sea salt
- Pinch of black pepper , plus more for garnish
- 1/2 baguette , cut into 1/2 inch slices
- Spreadable vegan cheese (any cream cheese or mild flavored cashew cheese would be great here)
Roasted Cherry and Shallot Crostini






Every summer, when cherry season comes around, I am so happy! Cherries have always had a very special place in my heart.
Growing up, when my mom and brothers would visit my grandparents in Ukraine during the summer months, I often had the great pleasure to walk alongside my grandpa in his huge garden, picking cherries from the trees.
I remember them being so juicy and sweet and loved how their dark juices dyed my fingers a purple-ish colour.
To this day, every summer, I enjoy a few bags of dark juicy cherries to honour this special memory.
A few weeks ago, I was so happy when I found some organic dark cherries at a local grocery store for $1.99 per pound! With the prices of produce rising, this type of discount is extremely rare so I bought Sam and I two huge bags.
We have been slowly eating our way through both of these bags mostly by layering cherry halves in mason jars along with chia pudding (which I have fallen back in love with!).
Interestingly, I have for a long time associated cherries with desserts or sweet breakfasts. Before this recipe, I had never used them in savoury dishes. When this realization crossed my mind, I figured, why not give it a try?
I thought of making something quite simple to put together that both celebrated the sweetness of summer cherries and paired them with more savoury ingredients: vegan cheese, onion, and basil.


When it comes to the ingredients used in this recipe, below are the ones I used.
For any modifications, refer to the Common Questions & Swaps section.
Dark sweet cherries: The real stars of these little bites. Thanks to their juiciness, you can bake them for a few minutes in the oven without drying them out. Their sweetness creates a beautiful contrast with the savoury ingredients.
Shallot: I love its subtle sweetness when it is cooked and the delicate aroma of garlic it adds to these bites.
Fresh basil: Bright, sweet, and very aromatic, basil pairs beautifully with the flavour of cherries.
Extra virgin olive oil: Not only do I love the flavour that olive oil gives these bites, it also brings a nice richness.
Salt & Pepper: Both of these seasonings are added to round up all the other flavours.
Grilled baguette: They are the bed on which the vegan cheese and cherries sit. Grilling baguette gives it a slightly smoky flavour and a crunchy texture which is a nice contrast to the softness of the cheese and cherries.
Spreadable vegan cheese: Creamy, often slightly tangy, it brings out the sweetness of the cherries, while adding a little luxury to these bites. I love to use plant based cheese from VegNature, Violife or Fauxmagerie Zengarry.
It is always so nice to create recipes with ingredients that hold special memories. Every time I eat cherries or cook with them, I always think back with fondness about my childhood days strolling alongside my grandpa in his garden.
If you have any special memories associated with cherries, I encourage you to bring them forth as you make this recipe and hold them in your heart as you savour these bites.
I hope that if you try making this recipe you will leave a review above in the recipe box and share about it on social media. Don’t forget to tag me (@muriellebanackissa).
Happy cooking ✦