Spiced Apple Cinnamon Grilled Cheese (Print)

Buttery bread encases spiced apples and melted cheese for a sweet and savory comfort food experience.

# Components:

→ For the Spiced Apples

01 - 1 large apple (such as Honeycrisp or Granny Smith), peeled, cored, and thinly sliced
02 - 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
03 - 1 tablespoon brown sugar
04 - 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
05 - 1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg
06 - Pinch of salt

→ For the Sandwich

07 - 4 slices sturdy bread (such as sourdough or brioche)
08 - 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
09 - 4 slices sharp cheddar cheese (or fontina or gouda)
10 - Optional: 1 tablespoon cream cheese, softened

# Method:

01 - In a medium skillet, melt 1 tablespoon of butter over medium heat. Add the apple slices, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and a pinch of salt. Sauté for 5–7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until apples are tender and caramelized. Remove from heat and set aside.
02 - Spread a thin layer of softened butter on one side of each bread slice. Place two slices, buttered side down, on a clean work surface. Layer with cheddar cheese (and cream cheese, if using), then top evenly with the spiced apples. Add the remaining cheese slices, and top with the remaining bread slices, buttered side up.
03 - Heat a skillet or griddle over medium-low heat. Place assembled sandwiches in the pan and cook for 3–4 minutes per side, pressing gently, until the bread is golden brown and the cheese is fully melted. Adjust heat as necessary to prevent burning.
04 - Slice sandwiches and serve warm.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • Ready in just 25 minutes from start to finish
  • Uses simple ingredients you likely have on hand
  • Perfect balance of sweet and savory flavors
  • Versatile enough for lunch snack or even breakfast
  • Easily customizable with different cheeses and breads
02 -
  • Can be made ahead by preparing the spiced apple mixture up to 3 days in advance
  • Perfect for using up slightly soft apples
  • Contains approximately 410 calories per serving
  • Excellent source of calcium from the cheese
  • The brown sugar can be substituted with honey or maple syrup
03 -
  • Slice your apples consistently thin for even cooking and better sandwich structure. Let the caramelized apples cool for 5 minutes before assembling to prevent premature cheese melting. Grate some of your cheese instead of using only slices for more even melting. Keep the heat medium low throughout cooking the perfect grilled cheese requires patience not high heat. For a special occasion version brush the outside of the sandwich with a mixture of melted butter and honey before grilling.
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