Garlic Herb Crostini Spread (Print Version)

Creamy roasted garlic and herb butter spread, perfect for crisp crostini or warm baguette slices.

# Components:

→ Dairy

01 - 1 cup unsalted butter, at room temperature

→ Aromatics

02 - 1 whole garlic bulb
03 - 1 tablespoon olive oil

→ Fresh Herbs

04 - 2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh parsley
05 - 1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh chives
06 - 1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh basil or tarragon

→ Seasonings

07 - ½ teaspoon fine sea salt, plus more to taste
08 - ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

# Directions:

01 - Preheat oven to 400°F. Slice the top off the garlic bulb to expose the cloves. Drizzle with olive oil and wrap securely in aluminum foil.
02 - Place wrapped garlic on a baking sheet and roast for 35 to 40 minutes until the cloves are soft and golden. Remove from oven and let cool slightly.
03 - Squeeze the roasted garlic cloves from their skins into a mixing bowl. Mash the cloves into a smooth paste using the back of a spoon.
04 - Add the softened butter to the bowl with the garlic paste. Whip together using a hand mixer or wooden spoon until the mixture is light and fluffy, approximately 2 to 3 minutes.
05 - Stir in the chopped parsley, chives, and basil, along with the sea salt and black pepper. Mix until all ingredients are evenly combined throughout the spread.
06 - Sample the spread and adjust seasoning with additional salt or pepper as needed to achieve desired flavor balance.
07 - Spoon the finished spread into a serving bowl or ramekin, smoothing the surface if desired.
08 - Present the spread alongside toasted crostini or warm baguette slices. Allow guests to spread according to preference.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It tastes elegant and restaurant-quality but takes barely an hour from start to serving.
  • The roasted garlic loses all its bite, becoming sweet and mellow enough that even garlic-hesitant friends ask for the recipe.
  • You probably have most of these ingredients already, and it's the kind of thing that transforms a simple gathering into something memorable.
02 -
  • Getting the butter to room temperature matters more than you think—cold butter won't whip properly and you'll end up with a grainy mess instead of a cloud.
  • Don't skip tasting before serving because every garlic bulb roasts slightly differently, and you might find it needs a touch more salt or an extra pinch of herbs to shine.
03 -
  • Make this spread a day ahead so the flavors have time to meld and deepen—it actually tastes better the next day.
  • If you're serving a crowd, transfer it to a beautiful bowl or ramekin right before people arrive, and the presentation plus aroma do most of the talking.
Return