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Apple pie is a classic dessert that is enjoyed by people all over the world. But have you ever wondered why it’s served with cheese?
Generally speaking, apple pie is served with cheese because the savory flavors of the cheese bring out the sweet flavors of the apples. At the same time, the cheese also helps to balance out the sweetness of the pie. It is rich in flavor and pairs well with the flaky crust and a sweet filling.
In this article, we will explore why apple pie is served with cheese and how it tastes. I’ll also break down the origin of cheese on apple pie as well as great alternatives of ingredients to put on apple pie.
Does Cheese on Apple Pie Taste Good?
In general, apple pie is served with cheese because the combination of sweet and savory flavors tastes amazing together. The sweetness of the apples pairs perfectly with the rich flavor of the cheese. The cheese also helps to balance out the sweetness of the pie and makes it more enjoyable to eat.
I usually specifically look for Ceramic Pie Pans when baking pies. I recently came across a Set of Two Ceramic Pie Pans for Baking that work perfectly for baking pies in the oven with no problem. You can check out this Set of Ceramic Pie Pans on Amazon!
When you take a bite of apple pie with cheese, you will first taste the sweet and tart flavors of the apples. Then, you will taste the rich flavor of the cheese. The combination of sweet and savory flavors is truly delicious.
There are many reasons why apple pie is served with cheese; let’s discuss a few of them:
The Cheese Adds Richness and Flavor
Cheese is a rich and flavorful food that pairs well with sweet desserts. Adding cheese to apple pie adds a depth of flavor that takes the dessert to the next level.
The cheese also helps to balance out the sweetness of the pie, making it more enjoyable to eat.
The Cheese Adds Texture
In addition to adding flavor, cheese also adds texture to apple pie. The cheese pairs well with the flaky crust and creates a more enjoyable eating experience.
Once melted, the cheese adds a gooey exterior on top of the crispy texture of the pie.
The Cheese Makes the Pie More Satisfying
When you add cheese to apple pie, it makes the dessert more filling and satisfying. The combination of sweet, savory, and rich flavors will leave you feeling satisfied after just one slice.
In my family, no matter what kind of dish we have, the words “with cheese” is automatically applied to it. This is because cheese creates a unique flavorful taste while being very satiating.
It’s a Tradition
In many parts of the world, serving apple pie with cheese is a long-standing tradition. In England, it’s common to see apple pie served with a slice of cheddar cheese.
So, if you want to stay true to tradition, be sure to include cheese the next time you make apple pie.
*By the way, I recently wrote an article about The Best Ways To Keep Your Pie Crust Dough From Burning. This article breaks down the most effective way to keep your crust from burning in the oven. You can check out this article here!
What Country Puts Cheese on Apple Pie?
Generally speaking, the countries of England, France, and Germany have long-standing traditions of serving cheese with apple pie. Other countries like The United States serve cheese on pie only in some states. This makes this combination of food come from the continent of Europe.
In England, apple pie is often served with a slice of cheddar cheese. In France, the cheese of choice is brie. And in Germany, apple pie is commonly served with a slice of quark cheese.
England was the first country to put cheese on apple pie. This tradition dates back to the 16th and 17th centuries.
A dairy-based sauce was often topped with cheese. This sauce was later replaced with apple pie; the rest is history.
Today, serving cheese with apple pie is still popular in England. In fact, many British people say that eating apple pie without cheese is simply not an option.
*By the way, I recently wrote an article about Which Oven Rack Should You Use To Bake A Perfect Pie. This article breaks down what happens when you bake a pie in all the oven racks and why one might be better than the others. You can check out this article here!
Who Invented Cheese on Apple Pie?
England was the first country to put cheese on apple pie, but it’s not clear who invented this delicious combination. It’s possible that the cheese was added to the apple pie to add flavor and richness. Or, it could be that the cheese was added to balance the pie’s sweetness.
Below, I found a quick video explaining the origins of putting cheese on apple pie:
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What Cheese Goes Best with Apples?
As a general rule, cheddar cheese is the most popular type of cheese to eat with apple pie. This sharp and flavorful cheese pairs well with the sweetness of the apples giving it a strong taste and rich texture. Use cheese that melts well so that it can be properly incorporated into the apple pie.
According to an article I found on Yahoo:
“Cheese, specifically sharp cheddar, has been served with apple pie in the U.S. as early as the 1800s. But the combination was likely born in England in the 17th century; a tradition of using dairy-based sauces in pies evolved into an affinity for topping pie with cheese instead.”
yahoo
Here is why I recommend cheddar cheese for apple pie:
- Strong taste: The strong flavor of cheddar cheese pairs well with the sweetness of apples.
- Rich texture: Cheddar cheese has a rich and creamy texture that pairs well with the flaky crust of apple pie.
- Hardness: You wouldn’t want your cheese to melt into the pie filling; cheddar cheese is the perfect hardness for apple pie.
- Easy to find: Cheddar cheese is a common type of cheese that is easy to find at your local grocery store.
There are three different ways to incorporate cheese into apple pie. You can mix the cheese with the filling, bake it as part of the pie crust, or melt it on top of the pie.
These 3 methods make sure you get the best out of your cheese when adding it to apple pie!
*By the way, I recently wrote an article about How To Bake A Pie Without A Pie Pan. This article talks about all the substitutes you can use instead of a pie pan and what you should do differently with each substitute. You can check out this article here!
Do Americans Put Cheese on Apple Pie?
While cheese on apple pie is popular in Europe, it’s not as common in the US. However, there are some regions of the country where cheese on apple pie is more popular. For some Americans in the northeastern corner of the US, it’s not unusual to find apple pie served with a slice of cheddar cheese.
What Else Goes Well with Apple Pie?
Generally speaking, there are many ingredients that taste good with apple pies. The ingredients need to have a savory flavor to pair with the sweetness of the apples. In addition to cheese, here are some of my favorite toppings for apple pie; fresh whipped cream, ice cream, and cinnamon.
| Ingredients That Pair Well With Apple Pie | Why Does It Taste Good |
|---|---|
| Fresh Whipped Cream | The sweet and creamy flavor pairs well with the apples and cheese. |
| Ice Cream | The cool and creamy flavor balances out the sweetness of the pie. |
| Cinnamon | The warm and spicy flavor pairs well with the apples and cheese. |
| Brie | Savory creamy cheese that pairs well with the sweetness of apples. |
| Quark | German cheese has a mild flavor which pairs well with the sweetness of apples. |
| Gouda | Dutch cheese has a sweet and nutty flavor which pairs well with the sweetness of apples. |
| Roquefort | French cheese has a strong and salty flavor which pairs well with the sweetness of apples. (Use small amounts) |
Let’s discuss each in detail:
Fresh Whipped Cream
A dollop of fresh whipped cream is the perfect topping for apple pie. The sweet and creamy flavor pairs well with the apples and cheese.
Ice Cream
A scoop of ice cream is a classic topping for apple pie. The cool and creamy flavor balances out the sweetness of the pie. Vanilla ice is the traditional choice, but feel free to experiment with other flavors.
Cinnamon
A sprinkle of cinnamon is the perfect finishing touch for apple pie. The warm and spicy flavor pairs well with the apples and cheese. Plus, cinnamon adds beautiful color to the top of the pie.
Other choices of cheese that go well with apple pie include:
Brie
Brie is a soft and creamy cheese that pairs well with the sweetness of apples. It is best, especially when warmed, so the cheese is slightly melted.
Quark
Quark is a German cheese that has a mild flavor. It pairs well with the sweetness of apples. This type of cheese melts well to create a perfect texture for the apple pie.
Gouda
Gouda is a Dutch cheese that has a sweet and nutty flavor. You can find it in both young and aged varieties. It pairs well with the sweetness of apples.
Roquefort
Roquefort is a French cheese that has a strong and salty flavor. When using Roquefort, be sure to use it sparingly, as a little goes a long way.
*By the way, I recently wrote an article about How To Fix A Runny Pie After It’s Baked. This article breaks down all the ways to fix the filling of a baked pie that is still runny. You can check out this article here!
Final Thoughts
Apple pie can be eaten in many different ways, but the main way that I’ve noticed people eat it was with cheese. While apple pie can have many other toppings added for it to taste good, nothing beats the flavor of savory cheese melted across the sweetness of the apples.
