Dairy State Apple Pie

Name: Dairy State Apple Pie
Prep time: 25 min
Cook time: 45 min
Total time: 1 h 10 min
Yield: 8 servings.
Ingredients: CRUST:; 1 cup all-purpose flour; 5 tablespoons cold butter, cubed; 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese; 1/2 teaspoon salt; 3 to 4 tablespoons milk; FILLING:; 3 ounces cream cheese, softened; 1 large egg; 1/2 cup sugar; 5 cups sliced peeled tart apples; TOPPING:; 1/4 cup all-purpose flour; 1/4 cup sugar; 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon; 2 tablespoons cold butter; 1/4 cup chopped walnuts or hickory nuts; Vanilla ice cream, optional

This recipe is one of my family's favorites. With the cheddar and cream cheeses, the pie is very appropriate coming from "America's Dairyland." —Ethel Mueller, Chilton, Wisconsin

Ingredients

CRUST:
1 cup all-purpose flour
5 tablespoons cold butter, cubed
1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1/2 teaspoon salt
3 to 4 tablespoons milk
FILLING:
3 ounces cream cheese, softened
1 large egg
1/2 cup sugar
5 cups sliced peeled tart apples
TOPPING:
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
1/4 cup sugar
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
2 tablespoons cold butter
1/4 cup chopped walnuts or hickory nuts
Vanilla ice cream, optional

Directions

In a bowl, stir flour, butter, cheese and salt until crumbly. Sprinkle with milk, 1 tablespoon at a time, stirring until pastry holds together.
Form into a ball. Roll out on a lightly floured surface. Transfer to a 9-in. pie pan; trim and flute edges.
In a bowl, beat cream cheese, egg and sugar until smooth. Stir in apples; pour into crust. In another bowl, mix flour, sugar and cinnamon; cut in butter until crumbly. Stir in nuts. Sprinkle over apples.
Bake at 350° for 15 minutes. Reduce heat to 300°. Bake 30-35 minutes longer or until crust is golden brown and filling is bubbly (cover edges with foil during the last 15 minutes to prevent overbrowning if necessary). Serve warm or chilled with ice cream if desired.