A sophisticated enough for holiday parties yet easy enough for barbecues or casual get togethers. Perfectly caramelized onions crown a bed of thyme infused goat cheese.
Slice the onions in half and then slice to 1/8" thickness. I use a mandolin... it makes it MUCH faster! You will have anywhere from 5-6 cups worth of sliced onions.
In a 12 inch cast iron skillet over medium-low heat add the olive oil and onions. Stir occasionally. Caramelizing the onions will take about 35-45 minutes.* The onions are done when they are a rich brown and soft, but not mushy.
Remove from heat. Set aside.
When onions are about halfway done, preheat oven to 325°F.
Place baguette slices on a baking sheet. Toast in a 325°F oven for 5-7 minutes or until slightly crispy.
Spread 1/2-1 tablespoon of the goat cheese mixture on top of each slice of baguette. Then top with 1-2 tablespoons of caramelized onion. Garnish with fresh thyme and dried cranberries. **
Goat Cheese Mixture
Place the cream cheese in a medium bowl. Mix with a fork until smooth and creamy (could also use a hand mixer). Add the goat cheese and chopped thyme. Mix until combined.
Notes
* You don’t want the heat too high because the onions will burn. You might be thinking "Wow! This is A LOT of onions!" Yes, you're right. But as the onions caramelize they'll reduce a ton. **Garnishing with the dried cranberries is optional. It's very festive if you're making these for Thanksgiving, Christmas, or New Years. However, the dried cranberries are delicious! You could also garnish with pomegranate arils.