How to Make Apple Pie with Cheese
Updated: Aug. 11, 2023
Don't let the odd-sounding pairing fool you! Apple pie with cheese is the combo you didn't know you needed.
We all know the joy of the classic American dessert combination of apple pie and vanilla ice cream. It’s a perfect end to a meal, especially if the pie is still warm from the oven. But have you ever made a fresh slice of apple pie with a slice of cheddar cheese? I know it might sound a little odd, but sometimes the best combinations are! Many say apple pie with cheese is the only way to go, so we just had to try it out!
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Why Do People Eat Cheese with Apple Pie?
Apple pie has been an American classic for many centuries, though its flavor has sweetened considerably over time. Both apple pie and the cheese addition were originally brought over from England many centuries ago, and it was taken seriously enough to stick around to this day. In some regions of the U.S., they take their devotion to cheese especially seriously—it’s an urban myth that in Wisconsin it’s illegal to serve a slice of apple pie without some cheddar cheese!
While this combo initially might seem a little strange, it’s not so uncommon if you think about it. Cheese and apples show up in all sorts of fan favorites, like grilled cheese with apples, fruit on cheese boards, or the classic snack of cheese with a slice of raw apple. The savory cheese is a lovely balance to the sweet pie, pairing much more subtly than you might expect.
What Cheese Goes with Apple Pie?
Cheddar cheese is definitely the most common cheese paired with apple pie. Some folks bake it into the filling or make a cheddar pie crust, and other recipes—like below—finish a classic apple pie with a slice of cheddar cheese melted on top. The cheddar is a wonderful complement, but other cheeses like aged Gouda would be just as delicious. If you like spicy, a pepper jack would add a good kick.
How to Make Apple Pie with Cheese
We used this Taste of Home apple pie recipe and simply added a slice of melted cheese.
Ingredients
- Double pie dough, store bought or homemade
- 1/3 cup sugar
- 1/3 cup brown sugar, packed
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 6 to 7 cups thinly sliced and peeled tart apples
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1 large egg white
- slices of cheddar cheese
- Optional: turbinado or coarse sugar, ground cinnamon, vanilla bean ice cream and caramel sauce
Directions
Step 1: Make filling
Preheat oven to 375°F. In a small bowl, combine sugars, flour and spices. In a large bowl, toss apples with lemon juice. Add sugar mixture and toss to coat. Let the coated apples sit while you prepare the dough.
Step 2: Prep dough and fill
On a lightly floured surface, roll half the dough to a 1/8-inch thick circle; transfer to a 9-inch pie plate. Roll remaining dough to a 1/8-inch thick circle and set aside for topping the pie.
Add filling to bottom crust and dot with butter. Place the top crust gently over the filling. Trim, seal and flute the edges. Cut slits on top to allow air ventilation.
Beat your egg white until foamy, then brush it over the crust. Sprinkle with turbinado sugar and ground cinnamon if desired.
Step 3: Bake
Bake on the lowest rack for 60 to 70 minutes, until the crust is golden brown and the filling is bubbly. Cover the pie with foil if the crust begins to get too dark. Allow to cool in the pan on a wire rack. Remove a slice of pie and cover with a slice of cheese. Warm under the broiler for two minutes if desired. Serve immediately!
Originally Published: July 27, 2023
