Balsamic Cherry Mascarpone Bites

Servings: 20-24 bites | Prep time: 15 mins | Cook time: 20 mins

These are the perfect summer appetizers - sweet, savory, creamy, and gone in seconds. Ideal for dinner parties, cookouts, or when you just want to impress with minimal effort!

Ingredients:

• 20-24 small square or round crackers (like water crackers or artisanal minis)

• Mascarpone cheese (about ½ – ¾ cup)

• 1 cup cherries, pitted and halved

• Balsamic vinegar (for drizzling)

• Honey (for drizzling)

• Flaky sea salt, to taste

• Dried thyme, to taste

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 400°.

2. In a bowl, toss halved cherries with a drizzle of balsamic vinegar, a drizzle of honey, a pinch of flaky sea salt, and a sprinkle of dried thyme.

3. Spread cherries in a single layer on a parchment-lined baking sheet.

4. Roast for 20 minutes, stirring halfway through. Let cool slightly.

5. While cherries cool, add mascarpone cheese to a piping bag or small zip-top bag with the corner snipped off.

6. Pipe a small dollop of mascarpone onto each cracker.

7. Top each with a roasted cherry half. Optional: add an extra tiny pinch of flaky salt on top.

8. Serve immediately and enjoy!