Cheese And Apple Butter: Perfect Pairing Ideas

Apple butter is a delicious condiment that can be used to elevate a simple grilled cheese sandwich to the next level. The perfect blend of sweet and savoury, apple butter pairs well with a variety of cheeses, including sharp cheddar, oozy brie, tangy chèvre, and more. For an extra special treat, try making your own apple butter at home by cooking apples with sugar and spices in a slow cooker. Whether you're looking for a new twist on a classic grilled cheese or just want to elevate your cheese board, apple butter is the perfect ingredient to experiment with.

Apple butter and cheese puffs

Ingredients:

• Apple butter
• Cheese (Cheddar, Camembert, or Brie work well)
• Puff pastry
• Egg (beaten)

Method:

• Preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C).
• Roll out the puff pastry to about 1/4 inch thickness.
• Cut the puff pastry into equal-sized squares, about 2-3 inches in length.
• Spread a generous amount of apple butter on one half of each square, leaving a small border around the edges.
• Sprinkle grated or thinly sliced cheese on top of the apple butter.
• Fold the puff pastry over to create a triangle, enclosing the filling. Press the edges together firmly to seal.
• Brush the tops of the pastry triangles with the beaten egg.
• Place the puffs on a baking tray and bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the pastry is golden and the cheese is melted.
• Serve warm and enjoy!

Tips:

• Get creative with your cheese choices! While Cheddar, Camembert, and Brie are classic pairings, feel free to experiment with other varieties like Gorgonzola, Blue Cheese, or even a tangy Chèvre.
• You can also add some chopped nuts or dried fruits to the filling for an extra crunch and flavour.
• If you're short on time, you can use store-bought apple butter. However, making your own at home allows you to customise the spices and sweetness to your taste.
• For a fancier presentation, use a cookie cutter to create fun shapes out of the puff pastry before adding the filling.

Apple butter grilled cheese

Ingredients:

• 1 tablespoon butter, divided
• 1 shallot, finely chopped (1 tablespoon chopped)
• 1/4 teaspoon chopped fresh thyme
• 1 oz Roth Grand Cru Alpine-style cheese, shredded (about 1/4 cup shredded)
• 1 oz Roth Original Havarti cheese, shredded (about 1/4 cup shredded)
• 2 tablespoons apple butter
• 1 apple, halved, cored and thinly sliced
• 4 slices thick-sliced white bread or Texas toast

Optional:

• 1 egg
• 1 tablespoon milk

Instructions:

• Heat 1 teaspoon butter in a nonstick skillet. Add shallot and thyme and sauté until softened and fragrant, about 3 to 4 minutes. Remove from skillet and set aside.
• Spread 1 tablespoon apple butter on two slices of bread. Sprinkle with shallot. Arrange a layer of thinly sliced apples. Top with shredded cheeses and second piece of bread.
• In a small bowl, whisk together egg and milk. Brush a thick layer on top of sandwiches.
• Heat a large nonstick skillet or flat griddle pan over medium heat. Melt 1 teaspoon of butter in skillet until frothy.
• Arrange sandwiches in skillet egg side down. Brush the side now facing up with remaining egg wash.
• Cook slowly for about 5 minutes or until cheese starts to melt and bottom is deep golden brown. If your bread starts to brown too quickly, reduce the heat and cover the skillet so the cheese has a chance to fully melt.
• Flip sandwiches, add remaining 1 teaspoon butter to skillet and cook for an additional 3 to 5 minutes, covered as needed, until bottoms are golden brown and cheese is fully melted.
• Cut sandwiches in half and serve while still warm and melty.

Tips:

• For the perfect grilled cheese, shred the cheeses instead of slicing, to help them melt quickly and evenly.
• Toast your sandwich in a non-stick skillet over relatively low heat. If your bread is browning in a minute or two, your burner is too hot! Cover the pan during the last few minutes of cooking to ensure the cheese is fully melted throughout.
• For the bread, go for a thick-sliced white bread or Texas toast, or even a nice brioche. The light texture of these kinds of breads results in the optimal crispiness.

Variations:

• Level 1: add apple butter to your favorite grilled cheese.
• Level 2: add a layer of thinly sliced apples for some extra crunch.
• Level 3: add a bit of sautéed shallot and thyme to push it more towards the savory side.
• Level 4: cook it French-toast style and reach peak awesomeness.

Apple butter and cheese on a board

Apple butter and cheese is a delicious combination that brings together the sweet and savoury flavours of both ingredients. The soft, velvety texture of apple butter, made from boiled apples and harvest spices, complements the creaminess of cheese.

When putting together an apple butter and cheese board, consider the following:

Types of Cheese

Sharp cheddar, brie, and chèvre (tangy goat cheese) are recommended by a Boston University gastronomy student as good matches for apple butter. You can also try oozy, mild alpine-style cheeses like Roth Grand Cru, which is similar to a mild cheddar or gruyere, or a mix of this with havarti for extra meltiness. Blue cheese is another option, as is a Wisconsin parmesan-style cheese like SarVecchio from Sartori. If you want to go all out, try a French blue with a crunchy cookie and a hot cup of coffee.

Types of Apple Butter

Look for a dark apple butter with no added sugar, as it will have the richest flavour. If you're making your own, you can choose your own spices, but for a mild cheese like camembert, a lightly spiced butter is best.

Presentation

You can simply spread apple butter on your favourite cheese, or try making grilled cheese sandwiches with apple butter, thinly sliced apples, and other savoury ingredients like sautéed shallots and thyme. For a French-toast style grilled cheese, brush the bread with an egg and milk mixture instead of butter, and cook slowly for a sweet and savoury treat.

Apple butter, cheese, and basil sandwiches

Apple butter and cheese is a versatile combination that can be used in sandwiches, cheese boards, or even grilled cheese. The sweetness of apple butter complements the saltiness of cheese, creating a delightful contrast of flavours. Now, let's take it up a notch by adding basil to the mix! Here's a recipe for a mouth-watering Apple Butter, Cheese, and Basil Sandwich:

Ingredients:

• Apple butter
• Fresh basil leaves
• Cheese of your choice (suggestions below)
• Bread (thick-sliced white bread, Texas toast, brioche, or a rustic crusty bread)
• Optional: Thinly sliced apples, sautéed shallots, butter, egg, milk

Cheese Recommendations:

When it comes to cheese, you have a lot of options to choose from! Here are some suggestions that pair well with apple butter:

• Cheddar: Go for a sharp cheddar to add a salty, tangy twist to your sandwich.
• Brie: Its creamy texture and mild flavour will balance the sweetness of the apple butter.
• Blue Cheese: If you're feeling adventurous, go for a strong blue cheese like Gorgonzola or Bleu d'Auvergne.
• Camembert: This classic pairing, especially with a mild, lightly spiced apple butter, will transport you to Normandy.
• Havarti: Melty and mild, Havarti adds a creamy texture to your sandwich.
• Goat Cheese: For a tangy, creamy twist, try Chevre or any other type of goat cheese.
• Gruyere: This Swiss cheese adds a touch of nuttiness to your sandwich.

Assembly:

• Start by spreading a generous amount of apple butter on one slice of bread.
• Layer on your favourite cheese—the more, the gooier and better!
• Now, add a few fresh basil leaves. If you're feeling fancy, you can quickly sauté the basil in butter to release its aroma.
• If you want to include sliced apples, sauté them with some shallots and a sprinkle of rosemary or thyme for extra flavour.
• Top it off with another slice of bread.
• For an extra indulgent touch, you can brush the outside of the sandwich with an egg and milk mixture (like French toast) before grilling it. This adds a hint of sweetness and makes the sandwich golden brown.
• Grill your sandwich in a skillet over medium heat until the bread is toasted and the cheese is melted.

Serving Suggestions:

Serve your Apple Butter, Cheese, and Basil Sandwich warm, with the cheese still gooey. Cut it into halves or triangles and secure them with toothpicks if serving at a party. You can also pair it with a bowl of soup, such as tomato or butternut squash, for a comforting meal. Enjoy the sweet and savoury flavours of this unique sandwich!

Apple butter and cheese crostini

Ingredients

• Apple butter
• Cheese (see below for suggestions)
• Bread (sliced)
• Butter
• Salt
• Toppings (see below for suggestions)

Method

• Choose your cheese. Apple butter goes well with many different types of cheese, including sharp cheddar, oozy brie, tangy chèvre, gorgonzola, blue cheese, fontina, havarti, and camembert.
• Choose your toppings. Suggested toppings include thinly sliced apples, sautéed shallots, rosemary, and thyme.
• Prepare the apple butter by heating it in a small saucepan over low heat until it is warm and slightly softened. Alternatively, you can make your own apple butter by boiling apples with spices and sugar.
• Prepare the cheese by slicing or shredding it, depending on the type of cheese you have chosen.
• Lightly butter each slice of bread on one side.
• Spread a layer of apple butter on the unbuttered side of the bread.
• Top with your chosen cheese and any desired toppings.
• Sprinkle with a pinch of salt.
• Place the crostini under a grill or in a toaster oven until the cheese is melted and the bread is golden and crisp.
• Serve immediately and enjoy the combination of sweet and salty flavours!

Frequently asked questions