Apple Cheddar Pie

Ingredients

• 2 1/2 Cups all-purpose flour
• 1 Teaspoon salt
• 1 Tablespoon sugar
• 2 Sticks unsalted butter (1 Cup, cold and cut into cubes)
• 1 Cup sharp cheddar cheese (shredded)
• 6 to 8 Tablespoons ice water
• 6 Cups apples (peeled and sliced, Granny Smith, Honeycrisp or a mix)
• 3/4 Cup brown sugar
• 1 Tablespoon lemon juice
• 1 1/2 Tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 1 Teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4 Teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1/4 Teaspoon ground ginger
• 1/4 Teaspoon salt
• 3/4 Cup sharp cheddar cheese (shredded)
• 1 Tablespoon milk (or cream, for brushing)
• 1 Tablespoon sugar (for sprinkling)

Instructions

1. 1

   --- Make the Crust (By Hand Version) ---

2. 2

   whisk: In a large bowl, whisk together flour, salt and sugar.

3. 3

   Cut in cold butter using a pastry cutter or fingers until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.

4. 4

   Stir in the shredded cheddar.

5. 5

   mix: Add ice water one tablespoon at a time, mixing just until the dough holds together when pressed.

6. 6

   chill: Divide in half, shape into 2 disks, wrap in plastic and chill for at least 1 hour.

7. 7

   --- Make the Crust (Food Processor Version) ---

8. 8

   Add the flour, salt and sugar to the bowl of a food processor.

9. 9

   Pulse a few times to combine.

10. 10

    mix: Add the cold, cubed butter and pulse until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs with some pea-sized pieces of butter remaining.

11. 11

    Add the shredded sharp cheddar cheese and pulse briefly to evenly distribute it into the mixture.

12. 12

    drizzle: With the food processor running, drizzle in the ice water one tablespoon at a time through the feed tube.

13. 13

    Stop as soon as the dough starts to come together and forms moist clumps. You may not need all the water.

14. 14

    gather: Turn the dough out onto a clean surface and gently bring it together into a ball.

15. 15

    flatten: Divide in half and flatten each half into a disk.

16. 16

    chill: Wrap the disks tightly in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour before rolling out.

17. 17

    --- Prepare the Filling ---

18. 18

    toss: In a large bowl, toss sliced apples with lemon juice, sugar, flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and salt.

19. 19

    rest: Let it sit 10 to 15 minutes.

20. 20

    Stir in shredded cheddar.

21. 21

    --- Assemble the Pie ---

22. 22

    Preheat the oven to 400°F.

23. 23

    Roll out one dough disk and line a 9-inch pie pan.

24. 24

    Fill with the apple-cheddar mixture.

25. 25

    Roll out the second one and place over the filling.

26. 26

    Trim, crimp edges and cut slits for steam.

27. 27

    Brush with milk or cream and sprinkle with sugar.

28. 28

    --- Bake and Cool ---

29. 29

    bake: Place the pie on a baking sheet and bake for 20 minutes at 400°F.

30. 30

    bake: Reduce oven temperature to 350°F and bake another 30 to 40 minutes, or until the crust is golden and the filling is bubbling.

31. 31

    cover: If the crust browns too quickly, cover the edges with foil.

32. 32

    Cool for at least 2 hours before slicing to allow the filling to set.