Baked Apples with Cheddar Cheese and Crumble Topping

Baked Apples with Cheddar Cheese and Spiced Pecan Crumble

Yields: 4 servings Prep time: 20 minutes Cook time: 30-35 minutes Difficulty: Easy

Ingredients:

  • Apples:
    • 4 large Granny Smith apples (or any firm, tart apple variety)
    • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
  • Filling:
    • 1/4 cup dried cranberries
    • 1/4 cup chopped pecans
    • 2 tablespoons brown sugar
    • 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
    • 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • Crumble Topping:
    • 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
    • 1/4 cup rolled oats
    • 1/4 cup cold unsalted butter, cubed
    • 1/4 cup packed brown sugar
    • 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
    • Pinch of salt
    • 1/2 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
  • Optional Garnish:
    • Vanilla ice cream or whipped cream
    • Caramel sauce
    • Additional chopped pecans

Instructions:

  1. Preheat oven: to 375°F (190°C).
  2. Prepare apples: Core the apples, leaving about 1/2 inch at the bottom intact. Drizzle the insides with lemon juice to prevent browning.
  3. Make filling: In a small bowl, combine dried cranberries, chopped pecans, brown sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
  4. Fill apples: Divide the filling mixture evenly among the cored apples.
  5. Make crumble topping: In a separate bowl, combine flour, oats, cold butter, brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt. Use your fingers or a pastry cutter to rub the butter into the dry ingredients until it forms a crumbly mixture. Stir in the shredded cheddar cheese.
  6. Top and bake: Generously sprinkle the crumble topping over the filled apples. Place the apples in a baking dish and bake for 30-35 minutes, or until the apples are tender and the crumble is golden brown.
  7. Serve: Let the baked apples cool slightly before serving. Garnish with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or whipped cream, a drizzle of caramel sauce, and additional chopped pecans, if desired.

Things to avoid:

  • Overfilling the apples: This can cause the filling to spill out during baking.
  • Using overly ripe apples: They may become mushy when baked.
  • Overbaking: The apples should be tender but still hold their shape.
  • Skipping the lemon juice: This helps prevent the apples from browning.

Ingredient Substitutions:

  • Apples: Use any firm, tart apple variety, such as Honeycrisp or Braeburn.
  • Dried cranberries: Substitute with chopped dates, raisins, or other dried fruit.
  • Pecans: Use walnuts, almonds, or other nuts.
  • All-purpose flour: Substitute with whole wheat flour or a gluten-free blend.
  • Rolled oats: Substitute with quick oats or chopped nuts.
  • Sharp cheddar cheese: Use any type of cheese you enjoy, such as Gruyère or Monterey Jack.

Additional serving suggestions:

  • Serve with a dollop of Greek yogurt for a lighter option.
  • Drizzle with honey or maple syrup for added sweetness.
  • Sprinkle with a pinch of sea salt to enhance the flavors.

Enjoy this delicious and unique twist on baked apples!

Baked Apples with Cheddar Cheese and Crumble Topping