Maple Apple Pie

Name: Maple Apple Pie
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 1 h 10 min
Total time: 1 h 30 min
Yield: 8 slices
Cuisine: North America, New England
Ingredients: 3 tablespoons unsalted butter; 6 medium (about 2-1/2 pounds) sweet baking apples, such as Cortland, Empire or Honeycrisp, cored and sliced; 1/2 teaspoon salt; 1/2 cup packed brown sugar; 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon; 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg; 3/4 cup maple syrup; 2 tablespoons lemon juice; 2 teaspoons grated lemon zest; 2 tablespoons plus 2 teaspoons all-purpose flour; 2 frozen deep-dish pie crusts (9 inches each); 8 ounces extra-sharp cheddar cheese, cut into 8 pieces

Total Time Prep: 20 min. Bake: 1 hr. 10 min. + cooling

Yield 8 slices

Test Kitchen Approved

Tiny, rural Vermont is famous for its apples, for dairy cows and for producing more maple syrup than any other state. This delicious maple apple pie, with sharp cheddar cheese melted on each slice, combines the state's finest ingredients.

Ingredients

3 tablespoons unsalted butter
6 medium (about 2-1/2 pounds) sweet baking apples, such as Cortland, Empire or Honeycrisp, cored and sliced
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
3/4 cup maple syrup
2 tablespoons lemon juice
2 teaspoons grated lemon zest
2 tablespoons plus 2 teaspoons all-purpose flour
2 frozen deep-dish pie crusts (9 inches each)
8 ounces extra-sharp cheddar cheese, cut into 8 pieces

Directions

Melt butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add apple slices; cook, stirring occasionally, until apples are soft and have released some of their juices, 7-8 minutes. Reduce heat to medium-low.
While apples are cooking, in a small bowl, combine brown sugar, cinnamon and nutmeg. In another small bowl, combine maple syrup, lemon juice and lemon zest. Once apples are soft, add both mixtures to the skillet. Stir in flour; bring to a simmer, stirring constantly, until juices have thickened, 3-4 minutes.
Scoop the filling into a metal or glass bowl; let cool 10 minutes. Refrigerate until cool to the touch.
Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 425°. Press one crust into the bottom of an ungreased 9-in. deep dish pie plate. Add the cooled apple filling; spread into an even layer. Place the second crust on top; pinch the edges together to seal the crusts. Use a knife to cut a few slits on the top. Bake 15-20 minutes; reduce oven temperature to 375°. Bake an additional 35-40 minutes or until crust is golden brown. Remove from the oven; let cool 4 hours or until filling is set.
Just before serving, preheat oven to 425°. Cut pie into 8 slices. Lay a slice of cheese on top of each piece; bake until cheese is melted and bubbly, 3-4 minutes. Serve warm.

Nutrition Facts

1 slice: 534 calories, 24g fat (10g saturated fat), 40mg cholesterol, 502mg sodium, 75g carbohydrate (43g sugars, 3g fiber), 9g protein.