While flipping through the channels one evening, James asked if there was a show on Food Network that focused solely on dessert. I told him no—but then something strange happened. Shortly afterward, Dessert First appeared! I’m starting to think he might be a little psychic. Naturally, I had to check out this dessert-focused show—and I’m glad I did. The host’s energy is captivating, and watching her bake makes it impossible to resist trying the recipes myself.
I ended up making two desserts for our Thanksgiving party, both of which were huge hits. The first was a Cheddar Cheese Apple Pie. I’d heard of pairing cheddar with apples but had never tried it before—and wow, I was missing out! The crust was flaky and buttery, with just the right hint of savory cheese to complement the sweet, tart apples. Best of all, it came together quickly and easily, which is always a win.
For the crust:
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tbsp sugar
- 1/2 tsp kosher salt
- 2 sticks unsalted butter, chilled and cut into 1/2-inch cubes
- 1 cup grated extra-sharp cheddar cheese
- 5+ tbsp ice water
For the filling:
- 1 1/2 tsp cornstarch
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 6 Granny Smith apples, peeled, cored, and thinly sliced
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 1/2 tsp lemon zest
- Pinch of kosher salt
- 1/4 stick unsalted butter, chilled and diced
How to Make the Crust
- In a food processor, pulse together the flour, sugar, and salt for 5 seconds.
- Add the cold butter and pulse until the mixture resembles a fine meal.
- Add the grated cheddar and pulse just a few times to combine.
- Transfer the mixture to a large bowl and gradually add 5 tablespoons of ice water, mixing gently with a fork until clumps form. Add more water by the tablespoon if needed.
- Form the dough into two disks, wrap in plastic, and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.
How to Make the Filling
- Preheat the oven to 400°F.
- Mix cornstarch and sugar until lump-free.
- Add apples, lemon juice, lemon zest, and salt, and toss to coat.
Assembling the Pie
- Lightly flour your work surface and roll out one dough disk into a 13-inch circle. Transfer it to a 9-inch deep-dish pie pan and brush the edges with water.
- Pour in the apple filling and dot with butter.
- Roll out the second disk into a 12-inch circle and place on top. Press the edges together to seal and trim the overhang to 1/2 inch. Crimp the edges decoratively with your fingers.
- Cut three slits in the top crust. Place the pie on a foil-lined baking sheet. Bake at 400°F for 30 minutes, then cover the edges with foil to prevent burning.
- Reduce oven temperature to 375°F and bake for another 30 minutes.
- Cool on a wire rack for 1 hour before slicing.
This Cheddar Cheese Apple Pie is the perfect balance of sweet and savory, with a rich, buttery crust and tender apple filling. It’s easy enough to make any time, yet impressive enough for holiday gatherings. Give it a try—you might find it becomes a new family favorite!