Chophouse Cheese Toast Recipe

Prepare and toast baguette

Preheat the broiler (or oven set to high) and position the rack 5–6 inches from the heating element. Slice the baguette on a slight diagonal into 12–14 pieces about 1/2 inch thick. Lightly brush one side of each slice with the unsalted butter (melt butter slightly if necessary) and place buttered-side up on a rimmed baking sheet lined with foil or parchment.

Place the baking sheet under the broiler and toast the bread until the edges are golden and the surface is lightly crisp, about 1–2 minutes. Watch closely to avoid burning. Remove and let cool slightly while you prepare the cheese spread.

Make the cheese mixture

In a medium bowl, combine the softened cream cheese and ricotta. Use a rubber spatula or electric mixer on low speed to blend until smooth and lump-free.

Add the grated sharp cheddar and grated Parmesan, stirring until evenly incorporated. The mixture should be thick but spreadable. If it seems too stiff, stir in up to 1 tablespoon of milk or cream to loosen slightly.

Stir in the mayonnaise, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, minced garlic, minced chives, black pepper, and kosher salt. Taste and adjust seasoning — add more salt, pepper, or lemon to balance richness. If you prefer a little heat, stir in the optional red pepper flakes now.

Top baguette slices

Flip the toasted baguette slices so the toasted side faces up. Using a small spoon or palette knife, evenly spread about 1 to 1 1/2 tablespoons of the four-cheese mixture onto each slice, creating a slight mound to allow for bubbling during broiling.

Lightly brush any exposed bread edges with the teaspoon of olive oil to encourage additional browning.

Broil to finish

Return the topped slices to the baking sheet and broil until the cheese spread is bubbling and developing golden-brown spots, about 2–4 minutes depending on your broiler. Watch continuously to prevent burning. Rotate the sheet if needed for even color.

Remove from the oven and let cool for 1–2 minutes so the cheese sets slightly.

Transfer the cheese toasts to a serving platter. Sprinkle the chopped parsley over the top for color and an extra teaspoon of chives if desired.

Serve warm as an appetizer. Leftovers can be refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 2 days; reheat briefly under a broiler to refresh.