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 kind of cheese goes with apple butter? ›

Since it's sweet, apple butter can pair with many different kinds of cheeses — try your favorites and see what works best. If you need some suggestions to begin, try a sharp cheddar, an oozy brie, or a tangy chèvre.

How do you know if apple butter is thick enough? ›

If it's the consistency of applesauce, no ma'am! To check for doneness: Spoon out some of the apple butter, turn the spoon upside down. The apple butter should cling to the spoon without falling off right away. If it does fall off, continue cooking to remove more of the liquid.

What is the best butter for grilled cheese? ›

The best way to grill a cheese sandwich is use mayonnaise or melted unsalted butter. You can use any unsalted butter of your choice, not saturated butters with high carb oils. Another thing is using olive oil mayonnaise or low-fat mayonnaise as a option to grill your cheese sandwich.

Do you butter both sides of grilled cheese or one? ›

Standard procedure for grilled cheese is to butter the outsides of the bread before placing it in the pan — for more flavor, butter both sides, inside and out. This works quite nicely, adding flavor to the sandwich, while also preventing burning and sticking.

Do you refrigerate apple butter? ›

Average shelf life unopened is 11 months. But after you open a jar, it is very important it is re-capped and refrigerated. It will last about a month in the refrigerator, but we usually finish out a jar in a couple of days. The same goes for any baked goods or cooked items made with apple butter.

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!

How do I get my apple butter to thicken up? ›

If you want the apple butter thicker, you can continue to cook it on low with the lid of the slow cooker slightly ajar so that steam can escape. Allow the mixture to cool, then spoon into jars and store in the refrigerator for up to 1 month, or freeze for up to 1 year.

Does homemade apple butter thicken as it cools? ›

To thicken your apple butter after puréeing, continue to cook it uncovered, stirring occasionally, in the slow cooker until it's reached your desired consistency. This apple butter will continue to thicken as it cools.

What can I add to apple butter to thicken it? ›

Just keep cooking, as alilja and Golly suggest. Mix a small amount of corn flour with some water if it's already cooled and keep mixing until it thickens. This is a bad idea if you are expecting your apple butter to keep for more than a week.

What are the top 3 cheeses for grilled cheese? ›

The 9 Best Cheeses for Grilled Cheese
  1. Cheddar. For most of us, our first grilled cheese sandwich was made with American cheese. ...
  2. Mozzarella and Pepper Jack. Every now and then, it's nice to change things up a bit. ...
  3. Gouda. ...
  4. Fontina. ...
  5. Gruyère. ...
  6. Havarti. ...
  7. Provolone. ...
  8. Swiss.
Feb 21, 2024

What two cheeses are best for grilled cheese? ›

Sharp cheddar, Gouda, Fontina, Monterey Jack, Gruyere, Pepper Jack, and brie are all good options. The amount of cheese you use will depend on the size of your bread. I love sharp Cheddar, Monterey Jack, and Gouda together.

How many slices of cheese should you put on a grilled cheese? ›

For each grilled cheese, you'll need two slices of bread, at least 1 tablespoon of butter, and 2-4 slices of cheese (depending how gooey you like it). American, Cheddar, Swiss, muenster or Gouda all work well—feel free to mix and match your cheeses.

How many times do you flip a grilled cheese? ›

Cook until golden brown on each side and the cheese has completely melted, 3 to 4 minutes per side, turning once. Before removing from griddle, flip sandwiches to reheat first side, about 15 seconds. Cut each sandwich diagonally in half; serve immediately.

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 well with Granny Smith apple? ›

Menemsha Farm Granny Smith The tart flavor and a crisp, watery texture of a Granny Smith pairs beautifully with cheeses such as gorgonzola, or blue cheese (or this blue cheese), or a sharper Gouda.

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.

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