It is never difficult to plan the main course for Thanksgiving. The hard part comes when it’s time to decide on the side dishes because the number of recipes on the Internet is overwhelming. So, if you want to set yourself apart from the rest of the pack, please make these Baked Apples with Savory Cheddar Streusel Topping because they are a welcome change. Sweet and savory is my most favorite flavor profile and the fresh spiced apples covered with a buttery, cheddar topping is really something to get excited about.
New Side Dish Idea Not Just for Thanksgiving
There are the green bean casserole people. And the candied yam people. And of course, the Jiffy corn pudding people (one of the best things ever, IMHO). But how many people have made a baked apple dish that has a crisp and savory cheddar cheese topping.
You must be so excited thinking of these. You must be anticipating how happy everyone will be to see something new that isn’t strange or overly healthy (quinoa anyone? Not me, thanks).
Apples can also be a Vegetable!
So rush yourself out to the grocery and buy some beautiful fall apples. Toss them in some spices and sugar (it’s the holidays so don’t give up sugar yet–save it for a resolution). Bake these juicy apples under a toppping of flour and sugar and butter. And then comes the final touch for the topping. A grated cheddar which will form a lovely crust when baked. The streusel topping comes together in 5 minutes so don’t even think that this is a difficult or time consuming dish to make.
The casserole can be made an hour ahead (the apples will turn brown if left for longer). The streusel is blended like a pie crust, cutting in the butter with two knives until the mixture is evenly grainy, like sand.
Spread the topping over the apples and bake uncovered for a half hour and then cover the casserole so the topping doesn’t get too brown.
Sweet and Savory is the Perfect Combo
Serve to a chorus of oooos and aaaahs. Those grateful folks who are just happy to see something new and different on the table. Happy Thanksgiving everyone!
Baked Apples with Cheddar Streusel Topping
Ingredients
- 6 large apples peeled, cored and chopped (McIntosh or Honeycrisp)
- 1 tablespoon tapioca flour not tapioca
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 2 teaspoons vanilla
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- juice of 1 lemon
- ½ teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
- 1/3 cup sugar
- 5 tablespoons melted butter
For the Cheddar Struesel Topping:
- 4 tablespoons very cold butter cut into 1” cubes
- 1 cup flour
- 1/3 cup sugar
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese grated
Instructions
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Preheat oven to 350°.
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Grease a 9 x 13 inch baking dish. Put the peeled, cored and chopped apples in a bowl. Toss the apples with the tapioca flour, salt, vanilla, cinnamon, lemon juice, nutmeg and sugar until everything is well blended. Stir in the melted butter and set aside while making the cheddar streusel topping.
For the Cheddar Streusel Topping:
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Put the flour, sugar, salt and nutmeg in a medium bowl and whisk them together until well blended. Add the cubed, cold butter and blend it with two knives or a pastry blender until the streusel forms a crumbly mixture with the butter evenly distributed and in small pebble-like pieces.
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Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
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Evenly spread the apples in the pan and top with the streusel.
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Bake for 30 minutes. If the streusel is browning too quickly, lightly place a sheet of aluminum foil over the top. Do not seal it shut or the streusel will be soggy instead of crisp.Bake for 15 more minutes until the apples are soft.
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The streusel should be golden brown and the apple juices should be bubbling all around the pan.
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Let the casserole rest for 10 minutes and then serve.