Cheesy Apple Crisp is an old-fashioned American dessert that pairs the familiar sweetness of baked apples and cinnamon with an unexpected savory ingredient: shredded cheddar cheese. Apple pie and cheddar have long been enjoyed together in parts of the United States, especially in New England and the Midwest, and this large-batch crisp brings that classic flavor combination to a crowd. Fresh sliced apples are sprinkled with lemon water, then covered with a buttery flour-and-sugar crumble enriched with cheddar cheese. Baked until the apples are tender and the topping is crisp, it offers a wonderful balance of sweet, tart, buttery, and lightly salty flavors. The original recipe makes 100 servings, making it especially suited to community dinners, church suppers, reunions, and other large gatherings.
Ingredients
- 13 qt apples (about 24 medium apples, as noted on card, peeled and sliced)
- 2 cups water
- ¼ cup lemon juice (+ 2 tbsp )
- 8 cups all-purpose flour
- 8 cups granulated sugar
- 2 tbsp ground cinnamon
- 1 tbsp salt
- 4 cups butter or margarine
- 8 cups cheddar cheese (shredded)
- whipped cream ( or ice cream, for serving, optional)
Instructions
Step 1: Prepare the Pans and Apples
- Preheat the oven to 350°F.
- Grease four 13 × 9 × 2-inch baking pans.
- Arrange the peeled and sliced apples evenly among the four prepared pans.
Step 2: Add the Lemon Mixture
- Combine the water and lemon juice.
- Sprinkle the mixture evenly over the apples.
Step 3: Make the Crumb Topping
- Combine the flour, sugar, cinnamon, and salt.
- Cut in the butter or margarine until the mixture is crumbly.
Step 4: Add the Cheese
- Stir the shredded cheddar cheese lightly into the crumb mixture.
Step 5: Assemble the Crisps
- Spread the cheese-and-crumb topping evenly over the apples in all four pans.
Step 6: Bake
- Bake at 350°F for 30 to 35 minutes, or until the apples are tender and the topping is crisp.
Step 7: Serve
- Serve warm.
- Top with whipped cream or ice cream, if desired.
Tips
- Use firm, tart baking apples such as Granny Smith to balance the sweet topping.
- For more complex apple flavor, combine two or three varieties of apples.
- Use sharp cheddar cheese for a more noticeable sweet-and-savory contrast.
- Cut the butter into the dry ingredients while it is still cold for a crumblier, crisper topping.
- Add a small amount of nutmeg to the cinnamon for extra warmth.
- For smaller gatherings, divide the recipe proportionally; the original quantity is designed to make 100 servings.
- Bake until the apples are easily pierced with a fork and the topping has become lightly golden and crisp.
- Serve the crisp warm with vanilla ice cream for a classic hot-and-cold combination.
- Whipped cream makes a lighter alternative to ice cream.
- Because the cheese contributes saltiness, avoid adding extra salt unless you have tasted the topping first.
Nutrition
Calories: 230kcalCarbohydrates: 35gProtein: 4gFat: 9gSaturated Fat: 6gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.5gMonounsaturated Fat: 2.5gTrans Fat: 0.3gCholesterol: 25mgSodium: 190mgPotassium: 125mgFiber: 2gSugar: 23gVitamin A: 300IUVitamin C: 4mgCalcium: 75mgIron: 1mg