The BEST Apple Cheddar Cheese Pie Recipe

Cheese and apples? Err...Not so sure? I wasn't either unless I popped a piece of this crispy Apple Cheddar Pie in my mouth! 

Oh, it's delicious. A tad bit salty, a tad bit sweet, and so perfectly satisfying! 

If you want to cheese up your holiday apple desserts, this recipe is game! It's extra flaky, has a warm hint of cinnamon, and is brimming with apples!

Serve with vanilla ice cream or a heavy dollop of whipped cream (or homemade bourbon cream!) on top for an extra decadent treat. The creamy sweetness pairs perfectly with the tangy apple cheddar pie.

Why This Recipe Works

Here's more about why you'll go crazy for this apple cheddar pie...

It's a crowd-pleaser! Whoever has tried a tart and sweet apple with a slice of cheddar cheese has always been delightfully surprised.

Fully loaded! The pie is packed with apples, which means maximum apple filling in every bite. It's a perfect dessert for any party or holiday gathering!

Uses simple, readily available ingredients. There's nothing in this cheddar apple pie recipe that you won't find in your pantry or your nearest grocery store. Phew! I love the cheddar and apple combo so much I even serve it up on these easy Apple Honey Walnut Crostini!

A breeze to make ahead! You can make the dough, plastic wrap it, and store it in the fridge five days in advance. How cool is that? Plus, it's freezer-friendly too! Three months, and it'll still be as good.

Homemade cheddar cheese crust. YUM! Salty, flaky, crusty, buttery, cheesy - ALL IN ONE!

Ingredients for Cheddar Apple Pie Recipe

For the Dough

Flour - You can't bake a dough without all-purpose flour. Make sure to use the spoon and level method when you measure it out.

White Sugar - A bit of sugar adds a touch of sweetness to the crust, making it perfectly balanced with the savory cheese and tart apples.

Cheddar Cheese - You'd want sharp white cheddar that's freshly grated. Decide whether you want medium-sharp or extra-sharp cheddar cheese based on your personal preference.

PRO TIP: Avoid pre-shredded cheese; it's often dry and won't melt well!

Ice Water - You'll need ice-cold water to make an easy-to-handle dough. 

Butter - Use unsalted butter, cold, and cut into cubes. Why cold butter? You're doing it for the flaky crust!

For the Filling

Granny Smiths - These are the best apples for this recipe. Perfectly tart and crisp. They'll hold their shape, so your apple mixture won't turn into much. If you don't find them, your next best pick will be Honeycrisp. Whichever apples you use, remember to peel and slice them.

Dark Brown Sugar - It'll give a deeper, richer flavor. The tiny and coarse sugar crystals will melt into a dreamy syrup, which is just perfect for the pie. You can also use turbinado sugar if that's what you have in hand. It doesn't melt as good, though.

Lemon Juice - Apple desserts can get too sweet sometimes. The touch of lemon keeps things in check, pulls out all the flavors, and balances everything perfectly.

Melted Butter - Don't skip this! Use unsalted butter only. Otherwise, the filling will be too salty.

Cornstarch and Water Slurry - It'll help thicken your apple mixture.

Sharp White Cheddar Cheese - Yep, some more cheese! You'll be glad you added to the filling when it melts in your mouth. Mmm!

Cinnamon - The spice that screams fall louder than anything else! Use freshly grated cinnamon in the filling for amazing results.

You'll also need allspice, ground clove, and a little bit of salt for the filling.

For quantities and other details, check out the recipe card at the bottom of the post.

Step By Step Instructions

Making The Dough

1. In a food processor combine the flour, salt, cheddar cheese, cold butter, and sugar.
2. Pulse 10 times until a crumbly mixture forms.
3. Add in the ice water and pulse an additional 10 times until a dough begins to form.
4. Separate the dough into 2 discs and wrap in plastic wrap. Refrigerate for 30 minutes to 2 hours.

Making The Pie

• While the dough refrigerates, combine the all the filling ingredients together in bowl. Set in the refrigerator until the dough is fully chilled and ready to roll out.
• On a lightly floured surface roll out one of the discs with a rolling pin until it's about ⅛th of an inch.
• Carefully transfer the rolled out dough to a pie plate. Trim the edges with kitchen shears and crimp the edges.
• Add the filling to the pie crust and bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes.

Tools You'll Need

I dread the whole load of dirty dishes that I have to deal with when I'm done cooking. So, I'll say this upfront - you'll need a just a few tools to make the pie!

• Cuisinart Food Processor -for making the dough.
• Mixing bowl - to mix together your apple filling
• Rolling pin
• Plastic Wrap
• 9-inch pie plate - to bake the pie.
• Oh, and a wire rack! There's always some cooling involved. 

Don't worry if you don't have a fancy pie dish; any round baking dish of similar size will work just fine!

Tips for Baking the Perfect Apple Cheddar Pie

• Always go for good quality cheddar cheese. It's the star of this recipe!
• Make sure your butter is cold. If it melts too quickly, you won't get that flaky crust.
• Don't overwork the dough, or it'll end up being tough. Just like in any bread recipe!
• Use a lightly floured surface to roll the dough on. It'll be easy to transfer the pie to the dish.
• Use a baking sheet to line your dish whenever you're baking fruit pies. (In case of any spillage!)
• Give your dough an egg wash for a shiny crust. And you'll love the golden brown hue, too!
• The cheese might brown before the apples. If you suspect it, place an aluminum foil on top of the pie. Also, watch the oven temperature!
• Let your pie cool down completely before slicing it. This will prevent the filling from being runny.

Variations You Can Try:

Want to make this recipe your own? Here are some ideas to get you started!

• Instead of apples, use pears or peaches for the filling.
• Swap out cheddar cheese for gouda or brie for a different flavor profile.
• Throw in some chopped nuts, such as pecans or walnuts, to the filling for added texture.
• Drizzle a ton of caramel sauce on the top for some more yumminess!

Now, go forth, bake, and devour!

More Apple Recipes To Love!

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