Smoked Gouda & Apple Grilled Cheese (Printable version)

Smoky Gouda meets crisp apples in this gourmet grilled cheese. Golden bread, melted cheese, and fresh fruit create pure comfort food.

# What You'll Need:

→ Bread & Dairy

01 - 4 slices sourdough bread or country-style bread
02 - 4 oz smoked Gouda cheese, sliced
03 - 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened

→ Fruit

04 - 1 small crisp apple such as Granny Smith or Honeycrisp, cored and thinly sliced

→ Optional Additions

05 - 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
06 - Freshly ground black pepper to taste

# Directions:

01 - Spread a thin layer of butter on one side of each bread slice and place buttered side down on a clean surface.
02 - Spread Dijon mustard on the unbuttered side of two bread slices if using.
03 - Layer half of the Gouda slices on two bread slices, arrange apple slices evenly over the cheese, then top with remaining Gouda and season with black pepper if desired.
04 - Close the sandwiches with the remaining bread slices, ensuring buttered side faces outward.
05 - Heat a large skillet or griddle over medium-low heat.
06 - Place sandwiches in the skillet and cook for 3 to 4 minutes per side, pressing lightly with a spatula, until bread is golden brown and cheese is melted.
07 - Remove from heat, let cool slightly, then slice diagonally and serve warm.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The sweet crunch of apples against smoky cheese creates that perfect sweet and savory balance we all crave
  • It comes together in twenty minutes but tastes like something from a fancy bistro
02 -
  • Medium low heat is your friend here because high heat burns the bread before the cheese has time to melt properly
  • Letting the sandwiches rest for a minute after cooking keeps the cheese from oozing out immediately when you slice them
03 -
  • Slice your apples as thinly as possible so they heat through and become tender by the time the cheese melts
  • Using a cast iron skillet gives the best crust, but any heavy bottomed pan will work beautifully
Return