Pesto Cream Cheese Strawberry Bruschetta Bites

PESTO CREAM CHEESE STRAWBERRY BRUSCHETTA BITES an easy fresh bold flavored appetizer recipe that’s perfect for those summer parties!

I like to eat food. I also like to play with food. Which is why I love life as a food blogger.  Best job ever, right!

Well, it’s actually the second best job! The BEST and most rewarding job, although sometimes it makes me want to pull my hair out, is being a mom. One of the main reasons I quit my job working at a church to stay at home, was my little man. I didn’t want to miss a single second. I wanted to be there when he pulled himself up for the first time, when he started crawling, when he started cooing, when he started walking. I didn’t want to miss a thing.

I started my blog about 5 months or so after I chose to come home. I found I still had a lot of time on my hands and wanted to do something for me.

One of the benefits of having a job where I can work at home is Cason gets to do a lot of that cooking and TASTING with me. He has become my right hand man in the kitchen. My little sous chef. He will straight up taste a marinade or vinegar based dressing, think about it (with a scrunchy face included) and then says. “Mommy, I think that needs more honey.” Which is usually his go to ingredient, kid’s got a sweet tooth like his momma.  The reason I share this with you is because my sweet little boy definitely helped me create todays recipe!

I love this type of recipe because of the fun moments we shared as a family, with this kind of food.  A quick easy snack or appetizer turns into a loving family time when you pour yourself a glass of wine, pick out a movie, and relax in the living room. Those are actually some of my favorite nights. Cason likes it too because he usually gets to pick the movie and he’s eating something that he’s had a hand in helping create.

He’s was involved with this recipe from start.  For him, food isn’t something that mommy just makes and put on a plate in front of him. It’s something that he helped pick out in the grocery store.  Yes, I’ve taught my son how to find specific produce and pick out the best one… or in this case where to find the container that says BASIL (it has a B on it buddy.)  After the grocery store, we pull up his stool and he helps me make it. Right now it’s just adding things, measuring, stirring and tasting; but eventually it will be chopping and so many other things.  One of the best things that happens when he helps me make Pesto, toast the baguettes on a panini press, and taste the strawberries is of course he wants to try it.

Today we are focusing on CHEESE and all things related to it. Who doesn’t like cheese!? It is one of Cason’s favorites! The kid has a cheese stick a day. He’s addicted. And honestly I don’t blame him, the stuff is good! I grew up in Wisconsin, so I’ve tested a few cheeses in my life time. And honestly, I’m kinda picky about them because Wisconsin makes some of the best cheeses. They are straight from the farm and ridiculously creamy!

Arla^® is a farm-to-fridge dairy company.  The fresh milk they use for their cream cheese, sliced cheese, and snack cheese, comes directly from the farms owned by Arla’s proud farmers! So it literally is FRESH from the farm and a true farm-to-fridge dairy company.  Believe me, you can taste the difference! They are incredibly creamy and down right delicious!

These Pesto Cream Cheese Strawberry Bruschetta Bites are super easy to make and only contain a few ingredients! Nothing fancy, no fuss, just simple and satisfying. Now, to be honest. Cason liked the Pesto on these bruschetta bites. But I know not all kids like Pesto. If your kiddo doesn’t, try to go another route. And lucky for you I made a more kid friendly “bite” featuring another one of Arla’s awesome cream cheeses. I used the blueberry cream cheese topped it with strawberries and added a few slices of fresh basil (to introduce that fresh herb to them.)

So if you’re looking for a snack, an appetizer for those summer parties or just a fun relaxing no fuss dinner at home these PESTO CREAM CHEESE STRAWBERRY BRUSCHETTA BITES will totally be your jam. Full of flavor using only fresh ingredients!

As always Bon Appetit friends!

*** This recipe was sponsored by ARLA. However, like always all opinions are 100% mine! Thank you for supporting the brands that support Joyful Healthy Eats. ***

*Made with milk from cows not treated with rBST.  No significant difference has been shown between milk derived from rBST-treated and non-rBST-treated cows.

Pesto Cream Cheese Strawberry Bruschetta

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• Author: Krista @ JoyfulHealthyEats.com
• Prep Time: 15 mins
• Total Time: 15 mins
• Yield: 20-24 bites 1x
• Category: Appetizer, Snack, Side Dish, Party Food
• Method: Toasted
• Cuisine: American

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Description

Toasted bread topped with smooth cream cheese, homemade pesto, and fresh strawberries!

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Ingredients

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Pesto Cream Cheese Strawberry Bruschetta:

• 1 baguette, 1/2″ slices
• 2 oz. Arla® Plain Cream Cheese
• Homemade Pesto
• 1/2 cup strawberries, sliced

Blueberry Cream Cheese Bites:

• 2 oz. Arla® Blueberry Cream Cheese
• 1/2 cup strawberries, sliced
• 1/4 cup sliced fresh basil

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Instructions

1. Make Homemade Pesto. Set aside.
2. Toast baguette slices. (I toasted mine using a panini press. It’s easy and a great way to get the kids to help)
3. Assemble Bites. Spread Arla plain cream cheese on toasted baguette, top with a dollop of pesto, and a sliced strawberry.
4. To assemble Blueberry Cream Cheese Bites: spread Arla blueberry cream cheese on toasted baguette, top with a sliced strawberry and fresh sliced basil.

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IF YOU MAKE THIS RECIPE, BE SURE TO SNAP A PIC AND HASHTAG IT #JOYFULHEALTHYEATS. I LOVE SEEING WHAT YOU MAKE!

Want More Fun Appetizer Recipes?

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