
Apple pie is a dessert with a long history. The first apple pie recipe was recorded in the 14th century in England, where farmers wrapped apples in inedible pastry casings known as coffins. In the 17th and 18th centuries, English settlers brought apple pie to the colonies, and it eventually reached the United States. While apple pie is often served with whipped cream, ice cream, or custard, some people add a slice of sharp cheddar cheese on top or bake it into the pie crust. This tradition of pairing apple pie with cheese may have originated in England in the 17th century, when dairy-based sauces were commonly used on pies. While it is popular in certain regions of the United States, such as the American Midwest and New England, it is not widely accepted in all areas, with some considering it a strange combination.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date of origin | Between the 14th and 18th centuries |
| Origin location | England, North America |
| Type of cheese used | Cheddar, Wensleydale, Gouda, Parmesan, Gruyère, Roquefort |
| Serving style | Melted on top, baked into the pie crust, slipped into the apple filling, on the side of the plate |
| Accompanying ingredients | Bacon bits |
| Popularity | Common in the American Midwest and New England, especially Vermont |
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What You'll Learn
- Apple pie with cheese is popular in the American Midwest and New England
- The combination of apple pie and cheese likely originated in England in the 1700s
- The tradition of eating apple pie with cheese was brought to the US by European settlers
- In the Southern US, apple pie is typically served with ice cream, not cheese
- Apple pie is often served with whipped cream, custard or cheddar cheese

Apple pie with cheese is popular in the American Midwest and New England
Apple pie with cheese is a surprisingly divisive topic, with some people loving it and others hating it. The combination of apple pie and cheese is popular in the American Midwest and New England, particularly in Vermont, where it is considered the state dish. This combination is said to have originated in England in the 17th century, when a tradition of using dairy-based sauces in pies evolved into topping them with cheese. The tradition was then brought to the New World by European settlers in the 1700s.
Apple pie is often served with whipped cream, ice cream, custard, or cheddar cheese. While some people may find the idea of cheese on apple pie unusual, it is a well-loved combination that provides a contrast between the sweetness of the pie and the sharpness and saltiness of the cheese. The type of cheese used can vary, with sharp cheddar being a popular choice, but other options include Gouda, Parmesan, Gruyère, and Roquefort.
There are several ways to prepare apple pie with cheese. Some people bake the cheese into the pie crust, while others slip it into the apple filling or melt it on top of the pie. Others prefer to keep the cheese on the side, serving it alongside a slice of pie.
The practice of serving apple pie with cheese is not limited to the American Midwest and New England. It is also found in the North of England, where Cheddar or Wensleydale cheese is often used. The combination of apple pie and cheese is said to be a "Yankee thing," reflecting the cultural and culinary differences between different regions of the United States.
The addition of cheese to apple pie may be a result of historical practices of serving cheese with fruit and nuts at the end of meals to aid digestion. This practice is still found in some countries' cuisines, indicating the enduring appeal of combining cheese with sweet and fruity flavours.
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The combination of apple pie and cheese likely originated in England in the 1700s
Apple pie is a dessert that originated in England in the 14th century. The earliest apple pie recipes called for good apples, good spices, figs, raisins, and pears in a "coffyn", or pastry casing. In the 17th and 18th centuries, English pies were often topped with dairy-based sauces, such as custard. It is believed that during this time, some people began to top their apple pies with cheddar cheese, which also originated in England.
The combination of apple pie and cheese was likely brought to the New World by European settlers during the 17th and 18th centuries. Apple pie recipes began to appear in American cookbooks in the late 18th century, and by the 19th century, apple pie with cheese was a popular dessert in the United States.
Today, apple pie with cheddar cheese is especially popular in the American Midwest and New England, particularly in Vermont, where it is considered the state dish. In the North of England, Cheddar or Wensleydale cheese is often used.
The addition of cheese to apple pie has been a topic of controversy, with some people loving the combination of sweet and salty flavours, while others prefer their apple pie topped with ice cream or whipped cream. However, the practice of pairing pie with cheese may date back to ancient Egypt or Greece, where cheese was first topped on bread.
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The tradition of eating apple pie with cheese was brought to the US by European settlers
Apple pie is a well-known dessert that has become a staple in many countries' cuisines, including the United States. The tradition of eating apple pie with cheese, specifically sharp cheddar, has been around for centuries and was brought to the US by European settlers in the 1700s.
The origins of apple pie can be traced back to the 14th century in England, where farmers began wrapping apples in pastry, creating an early version of the dessert. It is believed that the combination of apple pie and cheese was first practised in England during the 17th century, when dairy-based sauces were commonly used on pies. Over time, this evolved into the practice of topping apple pie with cheese, specifically cheddar cheese, which is now a beloved tradition in many parts of the world.
The European settlers who brought apple pie to the colonies in the 17th and 18th centuries likely also introduced the tradition of adding cheese. This combination became popular in certain regions of the US, particularly in the American Midwest and New England, where it is considered the state dish of Vermont. However, it never gained the same level of popularity in the Southern states, where apple pie is traditionally served with ice cream or whipped cream.
The addition of cheese to apple pie creates a unique blend of sweet and savoury flavours that some people enjoy. The sharpness and saltiness of the cheese are said to complement the sweetness of the pie, creating an intriguing contrast that has gained a dedicated following. Some people choose to bake the cheese into the pie crust, add it to the apple filling, melt it on top, or serve it on the side.
The tradition of eating apple pie with cheese has sparked mixed reactions, with some people loving the combination while others find it unappealing. Those who enjoy it appreciate the contrast of flavours, while others prefer the more traditional pairing of apple pie with ice cream or whipped cream. Nonetheless, the tradition of eating apple pie with cheese has become a notable aspect of the dessert's history, with many people continuing to enjoy this unique pairing.
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In the Southern US, apple pie is typically served with ice cream, not cheese
Apple pie is a popular dessert in many countries, including the United States. While apple pie is often served with ice cream, whipped cream, custard, or cheese, the practice of adding cheese varies by region.
In the Southern United States, apple pie is typically served with ice cream rather than cheese. While some people in the South may enjoy the combination of apples and cheddar cheese on a cheese board, they rarely pair these two foods when it comes to pie. Serving apple pie with cheese is more common in the Northeast and Midwest regions of the United States, particularly in Vermont, where it is considered the state dish.
The tradition of pairing apple pie with cheese is believed to have originated in England, where both cheddar cheese and apple pie are said to have originated. In the 17th and 18th centuries, a dairy-based sauce, such as custard, often topped English pies. Some people began to experiment with adding cheddar cheese to their pies, and this combination eventually made its way to the United States.
Apple pie was brought to the American colonies by the English, Dutch, and Swedes during the 17th and 18th centuries. Apple pie recipes from this period can be found in early cookbooks, such as the 1514 Dutch cookbook "Een notabel boecxken van cokeryen" and America's first cookbook, "American Cookery" by Amelia Simmons, published in 1796.
While the exact timeline of when cheese was first added to apple pie is unclear, it is safe to say that the practice has been around for centuries, with roots in English culinary traditions. However, in the Southern United States, the preference is clearly for apple pie à la mode, topped with a scoop of ice cream rather than a slice of cheese.
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Apple pie is often served with whipped cream, custard or cheddar cheese
Apple pie is a dessert that has been enjoyed for centuries, with recipes dating back to the 14th century in England. The traditional apple pie filling is made with apples, spices, and sometimes additional ingredients like raisins or figs. Today, apple pie is often served with a variety of toppings, including whipped cream, custard, or cheddar cheese.
The practice of serving apple pie with cheddar cheese is thought to have originated in England during the 17th century. At that time, it was common for English pies to be topped with a dairy-based sauce, and some people began to experiment with using cheddar cheese instead. Over time, this unique combination made its way to the United States, particularly the American Midwest and New England regions.
In the United States, the pairing of apple pie and cheddar cheese has become a beloved tradition for many. The sharpness and saltiness of the cheddar cheese are said to complement the sweetness of the apple pie, creating an intriguing contrast of flavours. Some people choose to bake the cheese into the pie crust, mix it into the apple filling, melt it on top of the pie, or simply serve it on the side.
While the combination of apple pie and cheddar cheese has its enthusiasts, it has also sparked controversy. Some people find the idea of pairing a sweet dessert with cheese unappetizing and prefer to top their apple pie with ice cream, whipped cream, or custard instead. The debate over the perfect apple pie topping continues to divide opinions, with supporters of each side passionately defending their preferred choice.
Despite the differing preferences, apple pie remains a popular dessert in many parts of the world, and the option to serve it with whipped cream, custard, or cheddar cheese allows individuals to customize their dessert experience according to their taste buds.
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Frequently asked questions
Cheese was first put on apple pie as early as the 1800s in England.
The combination of cheese and apple pie first occurred in England.
People who like cheese on apple pie point to the contrast between the sweetness of the pie and the sharpness and saltiness of the cheese.
The type of cheese put on apple pie is typically sharp cheddar, but other cheeses like Wensleydale, Gouda, Parmesan, Gruyère, and Roquefort have also been used.
























