Apple Cheddar Crisps combine two flavors with deep roots in American home cooking: tart apples and sharp cheddar cheese. Apples paired with cheddar have long been popular in regions where apple pies, orchards, and dairy farming overlap, with cheese sometimes served alongside or even baked into apple desserts. This vintage recipe turns that familiar pairing into individual baked crisps. Granny Smith apples provide a pleasantly tart base, while cinnamon, lemon juice, and corn syrup add warmth and sweetness. The oat-and-flour topping is enriched with butter and shredded cheddar, creating a crisp, savory-sweet contrast to the tender fruit underneath. Served warm with freshly whipped cream, it is an unusual but comforting autumn dessert.
Ingredients
- 6 cups Granny Smith apples (sliced, about 6 to 8 apples)
- 1 tbsp ground cinnamon
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- ½ cup corn syrup (such as Karo)
- ⅓ cup butter
- ⅔ cup all-purpose flour
- ¼ tsp salt
- 1 cup cheddar cheese (shredded )
- freshly whipped cream (for serving)
Instructions
Step 1: Preheat the Oven
- Preheat the oven to 350°F.
Step 2: Prepare the Apples
- 6 cups Granny Smith applesPlace the sliced Granny Smith apples in a baking dish.
- 1 tbsp ground cinnamonSprinkle the apples with the cinnamon.
Step 3: Make the Lemon-Corn Syrup Mixture
- 1 tbsp lemon juice, ½ cup corn syrupIn a small bowl, combine the lemon juice and corn syrup.
- Pour the mixture evenly over the apple slices.
Step 4: Prepare the Crisp Topping
- ⅓ cup butter, ⅔ cup all-purpose flour, ¼ tsp saltIn a separate bowl, cut the butter into the flour and salt until the mixture is crumbly.
- 1 cup cheddar cheeseAdd the shredded cheddar cheese and oats and mix until combined.
Step 5: Top the Apples
- Sprinkle the cheddar-oat mixture evenly over the apples.
Step 6: Bake
- Bake at 350°F for 1 hour, or until the apples are tender and bubbling and the topping is lightly browned.
Step 7: Serve
- Scoop into individual servings while warm.
- freshly whipped creamServe with freshly whipped cream.
Tips
- Use sharp or extra-sharp cheddar for a stronger sweet-and-savory contrast.
- Granny Smith apples are ideal because their tartness balances the corn syrup and rich topping.
- Try a combination of Granny Smith and Honeycrisp apples for a slightly sweeter filling.
- Cut the apples into similarly sized slices so they cook evenly.
- Add a pinch of nutmeg to the apples for additional warm spice.
- For more texture, add chopped pecans or walnuts to the crisp topping.
- Bake the recipe in individual ramekins for attractive single-serving crisps.
- Serve warm with freshly whipped cream as written, or substitute vanilla ice cream.
- Let the crisp rest for about 10 minutes after baking so the juices thicken slightly before serving.
Nutrition
Calories: 390kcalCarbohydrates: 59gProtein: 7gFat: 17gSaturated Fat: 10gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 5gTrans Fat: 0.3gCholesterol: 45mgSodium: 280mgPotassium: 300mgFiber: 5gSugar: 39gVitamin A: 570IUVitamin C: 9mgCalcium: 165mgIron: 1.3mg
