Cheese And Apple Butter: A Perfect Pairing Guide

Apple butter is a versatile condiment that can be paired with a variety of cheeses, adding a sweet and spicy autumnal flavour to the mix. The soft, velvety texture of apple butter complements both creamy and salty cheeses. It is essentially a dressed-up version of apple sauce, made by boiling apples with sugar, spices, and a slow cooker.

Some popular cheese pairings with apple butter include sharp cheddar, brie, and chèvre. For an indulgent experience, try a grilled cheese sandwich with apple butter, thinly sliced apples, sautéed shallots, and thyme. You can also experiment with different types of bread, such as brioche or seeded crusty bread, to enhance the flavour profile.

So, the next time you're looking for a tasty treat, why not try some apple butter with your favourite cheese?

Apple butter and cheese puffs

Ingredients:

• Apple butter
• Cheddar cheese
• Puff pastry
• Egg, beaten

Method:

• Preheat your oven to 200°C.
• Roll out the puff pastry to a thickness of about 5mm.
• Cut the puff pastry into rectangles, approximately 10cm x 5cm in size.
• Spread a thin layer of apple butter on each rectangle, leaving a small border around the edges.
• Grate the cheddar cheese and sprinkle it over the apple butter.
• Brush the edges of the pastry with the beaten egg.
• Fold the pastry over the filling, creating a pocket, and crimp the edges with a fork to seal.
• Brush the tops of the pastry pockets with more beaten egg.
• Place the puffs on a baking tray and bake in the oven for 15-20 minutes, or until golden brown.
• Serve warm and enjoy!

Variations:

You can experiment with different types of cheese, such as Camembert, Brie, or Pepper Jack, to find your favourite pairing with apple butter. You can also add some chopped nuts or dried fruit to the filling for an extra flavour dimension. Additionally, you could try making your own apple butter, seasoning it with cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice.

Grilled cheese with apple butter

Ingredients

• Butter
• Apple Butter
• Bread
• Cheese
• Granny Smith Apple (or another apple of your choice)
• Shallot
• Rosemary
• Thyme

Optional Ingredients

• Egg
• Milk
• Ham or prosciutto

Instructions

First, heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add butter, apple slices, shallots, rosemary, and a pinch of salt. Cook until the apples are golden and softened, then transfer the mixture to a plate and set aside. Next, rinse and dry the pan, then set over medium heat. Melt butter and spread one side of each bread slice with apple butter (this will be the inside of the sandwich). With the apple butter-side facing up, top four of the bread slices with cheese. Divide the apple mixture among the remaining four slices of bread. Add one cheese-topped piece and one apple-topped piece to the pan, then drizzle with water and cover. Cook until the cheese is melted and the bread is golden and crisp. Finally, sandwich the two pieces together, cut in half, and serve immediately.

For an extra special touch, brush the bread with an egg and milk mixture instead of butter before adding the toppings. This will give your grilled cheese a hint of sweetness and a gorgeous golden brown finish. You can also add a layer of thinly sliced ham or prosciutto for an extra savoury kick.

Apple butter and cheese on a board

Apple butter and cheese is a fantastic combination, and a great way to serve them is on a board. This is a perfect seasonal snack, and apple butter can be easily made at home or bought from a store or farmer's market.

Apple butter is a sweet condiment, and its sweet tartness can be paired with many different kinds of cheese. A sharp cheddar, an oozy brie, or a tangy chèvre are all good choices to place on a board with apple butter. You could also try a blue cheese, such as Bleu d'Auvergne, or a French cheese like Camembert. A Wisconsin parmesan-style cheese, such as SarVecchio from Sartori, is another option, as its nutty notes go well with apple butter.

To make a simple apple butter, all you need are apples, sugar, spices, and a slow cooker. You can also add cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice to create a harvest feel.

When creating a cheese board, it's a good idea to choose two or three cheeses of varying types, such as aged, soft, blue, firm, or pungent. You can also add crackers or bread, fresh fruit, charcuterie, olives, nuts, and honey.

Apple butter and cheese in a sandwich

Cheese and Apple Butter Sandwich Ideas

When making a cheese and apple butter sandwich, you can use a variety of cheeses, breads, and additional ingredients to create different flavour profiles. Here are some ideas to get you started:

• Grilled Cheese with Apples and Apple Butter: This sandwich combines salty and sweet elements. It is made with sharp cheddar, thinly sliced Granny Smith apple, shallots, rosemary, and country bread. The apple butter used should be dark with no added sugar for a richer flavour. The sandwich is grilled open-faced and then assembled, which helps the cheese melt more quickly and reliably.
• Grilled Turkey, Brie, and Apple Butter Sandwich: This recipe combines the comforting, ooey-gooeyness of grilled cheese with the sweetness of apple butter. It is a delightful autumnal treat.
• Apple Butter and Cheese Puffs: These puffs are a perfect snack, combining apple butter with cheddar cheese.
• French-Toast Style Grilled Cheese: This sandwich uses an egg and milk mixture instead of butter to toast the bread, adding a hint of sweetness and a gorgeous golden brown finish. It includes a layer of apple butter, thinly sliced apples, sautéed shallots, thyme, and gooey, melty cheese. The cheese used is a mix of Roth Grand Cru Alpine-style cheese and Roth Original Havarti.
• Apple Butter Cheddar Sandwich: This simple sandwich can be made by spreading apple butter on your favourite grilled cheese sandwich. For an extra crunch, add a layer of thinly sliced apples.

Tips for the Perfect Grilled Cheese

• Shred the cheese instead of slicing it to help it melt more quickly and evenly.
• Toast the sandwich in a non-stick skillet over relatively low heat to prevent the bread from browning too quickly.
• Cover the pan during the last few minutes of cooking to ensure the cheese is fully melted.
• For the bread, choose a thick-sliced white bread, Texas toast, or brioche for a light, crispy texture. Alternatively, go for a seeded crusty bread for a rustic feel.

Apple butter and cheese with wine

Apple butter is a fantastic condiment to pair with cheese. The sweet, spicy, and autumnal flavours of apple butter complement the saltiness of cheese.

When it comes to wine, a good rule of thumb is to choose two or three different types of wine, based on the number of cheeses on your platter. Some recommended wines for pairing with cheese include Cabernet Sauvignon, Zinfandel, Pinot Noir, Merlot, Chardonnay, and Sauvignon Blanc. For a fall harvest cheese board with apple butter, a Folie à Deux Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir and a Napa Cellars Chardonnay are excellent choices.

Now, let's talk about the cheeses that go well with apple butter and wine:

Camembert from Normandy

The rich and intense Camembert from Normandy is a classic pairing with apple butter. The sweet tartness of apple butter brightens the cheese and calms its intensity. A mild and lightly spiced apple butter is the perfect complement to this cheese.

Oma from Jasper Hill Farm

If you find washed rind cheeses too intense, try them with apple butter. Apple butter softens their savoury flavour while enhancing their natural meatiness. The combination is similar to the classic pairing of pork and apples. Oma, with its rich and custardy texture, is an excellent choice for this pairing.

Mimolette

Mimolette, a French cheese similar to aged Gouda, has a crunchy texture and rich toffee notes. When paired with apple butter, it evokes the flavour of caramel apples. To take this pairing to the next level, serve it with some toasted pecans.

SarVecchio from Sartori

This Wisconsin parmesan-style cheese has lush nutty notes that pair beautifully with apple butter, just like peanut butter and apples. It is also delightful with a crumbly Wisconsin cheddar.

French Blues

French blue cheeses, such as Bleu d'Auvergne, are known for their creaminess and salty kick. The contrast of salty blue cheese and sweet apple butter is a transcendent combination. Enjoy this pairing with a crunchy cookie and a hot cup of coffee for the full experience.

Cheddar

Cheddar is a classic cheese that pairs exceptionally well with apple butter. The salty and sharp flavours of cheddar are balanced by the sweetness of apple butter. Whether it's a grilled cheese sandwich with apples and apple butter or apple butter cheddar cheese puffs, this combination is sure to please.

Brie

When thinking of cheese and apple butter, Brie is another excellent choice. Its creamy, oozy texture and mild flavour make it a perfect match for the sweetness of apple butter. Whether on a cheese board or in a grilled cheese sandwich, Brie and apple butter are a delightful duo.

Chèvre

Chèvre, also known as goat cheese, is a tangy and creamy cheese that pairs beautifully with apple butter. Its unique flavour adds a delightful twist to the sweetness of apple butter, creating a sophisticated and addictive snack.

In conclusion, apple butter is an incredibly versatile condiment that enhances the flavour of cheese. When paired with the right wine, such as a Pinot Noir or Chardonnay, the combination becomes even more exquisite. So, the next time you're planning a cheese board or looking for a new snack, consider apple butter as your secret weapon to elevate the experience.

Frequently asked questions