Grilled Cheese With Apples and Apple Butter Recipe (2024)

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Dave

This need bacon.

Rich

I love this sandwich, and I play with variations: Havarti or Swiss cheese instead of cheddar. peanut butter or almond butter instead of apple butter (especially if you're looking for a little more protein), orange marmalade or fig preserves, cinnamon for rosemary, raisin bread or whole grain (or gluten free) bread...

Diane Kay

It's a perfect sandwich for this time of year -- disagree about the bacon as the cheddar provides melty fatty salty goodness on its own.

Allison

Substituting apple butter + rosemary for mayo + gochujang was A+. I broiled the sandwiches open-faced to save on time and butter.

GothamNurse

Made this tonight. Outrageously good, especially for the minimal time involved. The only change I made was that I had a loaf of brioche sitting around and sliced that to use. Talk about gilding the lily.

Barbara

I cut the apple in half and used a mandoline to get thin slices. It was a good treat and easy.

Anne Clark

Delicious. Use a smear of good mustard (grainy dijon is awesome) if you don't have apple butter.

PeggySu

If you have any extra apple butter it’s really good on rye bread, toasted or mot.

MargefromTN

Question... adding water to the pan while browning the loaded bread slices? Seems to me that would make the bread soggy and prevent it from browning up nice and crisp?

TriciaPDX

The apple slices are sauteed with the shallots and rosemary till they're both softened.

Maura

This was an amazing Sunday night supper with some homemade soup. Gourmet Grilled Cheese. Will make this again and again!

jenn irons

Try with adding a little French mustard on sourdough

Elizabeth

Sounds delicious - I'm thinking I will also try this this on walnut bread.

Elizabeth

Tried it with Goat cheese instead of cheddar the second time I made it, and it was a very good idea!

Megan

Paired with tomato soup, this recipe is perfect for chilly fall or winter days. I've tried it with and without bacon, and both are good - I'd say it's just a matter of preference if you want something with meat. I couldn't find apple butter at the store but the shallot and rosemary already give the apples tons of flavor. Will be making this over and over!

Judy

Used a baguette cut in half to make two sandwiches, but made enough apple mix for four. I’m glad I did—the extra extras pumped up the flavor. Not sure it would be as tasty with half as much.

Maureen

Straightforward grilled cheese sandwich is my lifelong favorite sammie! I freely admit I’m kinda of a purist about them. And I prefer savory, not sweet. Nevertheless this recipe intrigued me. Excellent as is (but until someone explains putting water in the pan I’m not doing it). I cooked the apple slices rather gently to maintain a little firmness. Served grainy mustard on the side. Bacon sounds great for a brunch, so saving that idea for one of our meat days.

jamie s

As others have suggested, I added Applewood Smoked Bacon, which was a nice addition for both the texture and flavor profile. 1/4” is a bit thick for the cheese. We had the deli slice it that thick and it’s really difficult to melt without burning the bread. We had to let ours finish cooking in the warm oven.

Scott

Some folks like to grate the cheese, rather slice it. Grated cheese is a bit harder to keep on the bread, but melts quicker

ShadyPrincess

Really good. Next time I’ll use different bread. Didn’t love the thick white bread. Might do a wheat. Also salted the apple side before covering pan because I’d forgotten to add when sauteeing.

Christopher Foley

I use that steaming technique on many things where you want a crispy crust but a melty moist topping. It’s especially great for reheating pizza. Crisp your slice first in a little olive oil for a minute or two, then just a spoonful of water and quickly cover the pan.

Jim

Made the recipe as written, except I used Rye bread. Great sandwich, will definitely make it again.

tinykb

tremendous, and even better with grainy dijon and sliced turkey on the side opposite the apple butter.

Tiffany

Just made this with gluten free white bread and WOW! A little embarrassed to say I ate 2 sandwiches! I wouldn't have thought it but adding a bit of water to the butter before cooking the bread made is extremely crispy/crunchy. Delicious perfection!

Liz K.

My cheddar, which was extra-sharp, melted much faster than I anticipated - over the edges of the bread & into the pan, so I had to take the sandwich out much faster than 5-7 minutes indicated.

Dave

We made two of these today with an adjustment we saw from others -- a smear of dijon mustard instead of apple butter. Wow, this is a great combination of flavors. Something new versus our old stand-by of Cheese, Tomato, and bacon. We made one of these with bacon bits and one without as one of us likes bacon and one does not. Sandwiches are great platforms for customization!

Maggie J

These were surprisingly tasty and a hit with the family - although a little more involved to make than traditional grilled cheese. We have a late summer crop of apples, so made apple butter first, then these sandwiches. Will make them again on a cool day in the fall.

Emma

Added fried eggs and subbed apple butter for strawberry preserves and it was SOOOO GOOD. Can toast the other slice of bread and assemble separately w apple/shallot mixture after the cheesy slice is done if pan has no lid

Seth

This quick lunch was a huge surprise. I thought the apple butter would be too sweet and the shallots too overpowering. Keep the layer of apple butter thin and know your audience when you’re selecting the quantity of shallots and you’ll be a hero. Bravo!

KF Napa

I used a mandolin to get paper thin slices. No apple butter but had fig preserves. Paired with tomato soup. Best cheese sandwiches!

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Grilled Cheese With Apples and Apple Butter Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What cheese goes well with apple butter? ›

Aged Mimolette. Mimolette is kind of like a French gouda, particularly when aged. It's a little crunchy and has rich toffee notes that bring to mind caramel apples, especially with a little apple butter. Try it with some toasted pecans for the full effect.

Is apple butter the same as applesauce? ›

Apple butter and applesauce are similar. The key difference is that applesauce is made with water and sugar and fewer spices. Applesauce is also eaten on its own as a snack or as a side dish while apple butter, with its more concentrated flavor, is used as a condiment or topping for toast or muffins.

Is apple butter the same as apple jam? ›

Apple jam is like apple butter in that it features apples cooked down over a long period of time. However, apple jam is thinner in consistency, lighter in color, and often includes bits of fruit, whereas apple butter is thicker, darker in color (thanks to caramelization) and blended until smooth.

What pairs well with apple butter? ›

Apple butter can be a great way to balance sauces, marinades, glazes, sandwich spreads and dressings. It can add depth of flavor and moisture to baked goods like muffins, cakes, waffles, and cookies. And it can be swirled into cheesecake, ice cream, and oatmeal!

Can apple and cheese be eaten together? ›

Apples and cheese make an irresistible pair. They offer the perfect marriage of sweet and savory. The many varieties of both apples and cheese allow for many combinations as they offer the perfect marriage of sweet and savory. Gouda goes well with a tart apple.

Why does cheese go so well with apples? ›

The contrasting flavors make them ideal partners. Basically, they taste good together. You eat a dry salty piece of cheese and its flavor fills your mouth. Follow the cheese with a bite of sweet moist apple and the dry saltiness disappears, which sets you up for another bite of cheese.

Why does my apple butter taste like applesauce? ›

Applesauce is a fairly quick process, cooked apples run through a food mill. Apple butter is basically concentrated apple sauce, cooked down even more until it's thicker, silkier, and more intensely apple flavored. Like the difference between tomato sauce and tomato paste, essentially.

Is apple butter healthy for you? ›

While apple butter is undeniably delicious, it also offers some health benefits. Made from fresh, organic apples, it contains essential nutrients like dietary fiber, vitamins, and antioxidants. These components contribute to a healthy digestive system, support immune function, and promote overall well-being.

What kind of apples is apple butter made from? ›

That said, softer varieties of apples lend themselves especially well to apple butter making because they break down more easily and can achieve that concentrated flavor we love. You can use all one kind or a mixture. Some great choices would include: Braeburn.

What is the point of apple butter? ›

Bread, muffins, cakes, tarts, hand pies, and of course traditional Appalachian Stack Cake are just the beginning! Apple butter adds a moist texture with hints of fruity goodness and spices. It speaks of fall – but brings a cozy comfort in those bitter days of winter.

Why is apple butter so good? ›

Apple butter is the richer, prettier, and perhaps more sophisticated sister to plain-Jane applesauce. It's truly the embodiment of fall, with colorful crisp apples cooked down and caramelized in spices, brown sugar and vanilla.

How long is homemade apple butter good for? ›

It will keep in your refrigerator for up to 3 months, or in the freezer for up to one year.

Why do people eat peanut butter with apples? ›

Apples are an excellent source of fiber, while peanut butter contains protein. Eating these two foods together can help keep you feel full longer. The sustenance apples and peanut butter provide is especially great for people trying to lose weight.

Is apple butter a Southern food? ›

It originated in medieval Europe but became a Southern staple when the Pennsylvania Dutch brought it to western North Carolina after the Revolutionary War. Eventually, apple butter found its way to my grandparents' log cabin in Wintergreen. The recipe had been passed down for centuries.

What cheese goes with apple jam? ›

Our Pairing Suggestions
  • Apple Jam - Mozzarella, Goat, Fontina, or English Cheddar, Gran Padano.
  • Blackberry - Stilton Blue, Manchego, Triple Creme, Camembert, Goat or Feta.
  • Black Currant - Spicy Blue Cheese, Feta, Aged Parmesan, Sharp Cheddar.
  • Blueberry Jam - Goat, Stilton, or Manchego.

What cheese goes with Pink Lady apples? ›

Pairing Cheese with Apples

Cheddar – firm, creamy, tart and tangy. All of cheddar's qualities bounce off the fresh, sweet zing of a Pink Lady® apple. Blue Cheese – a soft and pungent cheese, Pink Lady® apples provide a texture balancing crunch and a cleansing of the palette.

What goes well with apple and cheddar? ›

So, as we work up to another season of comfort food, here are a few of our favorite iterations of the quintessential fall combo.
  • Curried Squash Soup with Apple-and-Cheddar Melts.
  • Apple-Cheddar Soup with Bacon.
  • Ham, Apple and Cheddar Sliders.
  • Grilled Cheese with Apple and Bacon.
  • Apple Pie with Cheddar Cheese Crust.

What cheese pairs best with? ›

Cheese Pairing Chart
Cheese textureFood
Soft (mascarpone, feta)Fresh berries, crisp cookies, biscotti, salty or spicy nuts
Semi-soft (Fontal, provolone)Apples, grapes, roasted or grilled vegetables
Semi-hard (Asiago, gouda)Nuts, dried fruit, dark chocolate
1 more row

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