With its bold flavor and unmatched character, this apple pie with cheese-laced crust can make even the staunchest à la mode fan melt. Sharp cheddar cheese provides a salty undertone to the buttery pie crust that complements the sweetness of apple pie filling in a way that vanilla ice cream never could. For the filling, use a combination of tart apples and sweet ones, like Granny Smith and Gala, and be sure to choose apple varieties that keep their structure when baked.
Cheddar apple pies have long, globe-trotting histories. Some believe the combo dates to 17th-century England, where fruit desserts were served with dairy accompaniments like custard or cheese. Over the next few centuries, the practice may have migrated to North America with English colonists. Today, recipes for apple pie with cheese are especially popular in corners of the US that have prominent dairy industries, like the Midwest and New England. Whether you pick up your cheddar from a local farmstand or the nearest supermarket, using quality cheese—not the shredded kind—will make this apple pie recipe shine.
Cheesy apple pie not your thing? Try out Our Favorite Apple Pie with ground cinnamon and nutmeg.