This Apple Butter Brie Grilled Cheese is the ultimate comfort food, offering a perfect balance of crispy bread, melted cheese, and sweet-savory flavors. It is an incredibly simple yet sophisticated sandwich that elevates your lunch or dinner into a gourmet experience in under 20 minutes.
Table of Contents
Why You Will Love This Recipe
There are so many reasons to fall in love with this Apple Butter Brie Grilled Cheese. First, it is perfect for cold weather. If you are looking for the ideal fall grilled cheese, the combination of rich brie, crunchy apples, and aromatic fresh thyme creates a warm, comforting meal.
Second, it is easy and quick to prepare. This recipe calls for just a few simple ingredients and can be ready to eat in less than 20 minutes. Finally, it is extra cheesy. Brie has a naturally low melting point, which makes it incredibly gooey, while the addition of sharp cheddar provides a deep, savory flavor profile.
Ingredients
- Bread: Sourdough is highly recommended for its structure and tang, but any thick-sliced bread works well.
- Brie Cheese: You will need one round of brie (approximately 5oz). Sheep or goat milk brie are excellent choices for their melting quality.
- Cheddar Cheese: Sharp cheddar adds a necessary flavor punch to balance the creaminess of the brie.
- Apple: Honeycrisp apples are preferred for their sweetness and firm texture, though any crisp variety will work.
- Butter: Used for coating the outside of the bread to ensure a golden, crispy finish.
- Mustard or Apple Butter: A spread of honey garlic mustard or dijon adds heat, or use apple butter for a sweeter, seasonal touch.
- Fresh Herbs: Fresh thyme leaves provide an earthy aroma that ties the savory and sweet elements together.
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Prepare the Bread: Lay your slices of sourdough on a clean cutting board. Spread butter generously on the outer sides of the slices and spread your mustard or apple butter on the inside.
- Layer the Fillings: On two of the slices, add a layer of grated cheddar cheese followed by slices of brie cheese. Place the thinly sliced apples over the cheese and sprinkle with fresh thyme leaves. Top with the remaining bread slices.
- Heat the Pan: Place a large skillet or stainless steel pan over medium-high heat. Once hot, add the sandwiches to the pan. It is often easier to cook one sandwich at a time to ensure you have enough room to flip them.
- Grill Until Golden: Cook for 3 to 5 minutes on each side. Use a spatula to press the grilled cheese down firmly as it cooks, which helps the cheese melt and binds the ingredients together.
- Serve: Once the bread is golden brown and the cheese is visibly melting, remove from the heat. Slice the sandwiches in half and serve immediately while hot.
Expert Tips / Pro Tips
To achieve the best results with your Apple Butter Brie Grilled Cheese, don’t remove the rind from the brie. The rind is completely edible and adds a significant amount of flavor and texture to the sandwich.
Another tip is to control your heat. If the bread is browning too quickly before the cheese has melted, turn the heat down to medium and cover the pan with a lid for one minute to trap the heat. Always use fresh herbs when possible, as dried thyme can sometimes be too subtle against the strong flavors of the cheeses.
Variations & Substitutions
- Vegan Option: You can make this sandwich fully vegan by using vegan-certified brie and cheddar alternatives, along with a plant-based butter spread.
- Different Fruit: If you do not have apples on hand, sliced pears make an excellent substitute and pair beautifully with brie.
- Cheese Swaps: While brie and cheddar are the stars here, you can experiment with Gruyere or Mozzarella for different melting textures and flavor profiles.
- Add Protein: For a heartier meal, add a few slices of crispy bacon or thin-sliced prosciutto inside the sandwich.
Serving Suggestions
This sandwich is a powerhouse on its own, but it pairs wonderfully with a side of tomato basil soup or a light autumnal salad with walnuts and balsamic vinaigrette. For an extra touch of decadence, serve the grilled cheese with a small bowl of extra mustard for dipping or a light drizzle of balsamic glaze over the top.
Storage, Freezing & Reheating
This Apple Butter Brie Grilled Cheese is best enjoyed immediately while the cheese is molten and the bread is at its peak crispiness.
If you have leftovers, you can store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours. To reheat, avoid the microwave as it will make the bread soggy. Instead, reheat on the stovetop over medium-low heat or in a toaster oven until the bread crisps up again and the cheese softens. Freezing is not recommended for this recipe.
Nutrition Information
| Nutrient | Amount Per Serving |
|---|---|
| Calories | 485 kcal |
| Total Fat | 28g |
| Saturated Fat | 16g |
| Cholesterol | 75mg |
| Sodium | 720mg |
| Total Carbohydrates | 42g |
| Dietary Fiber | 4g |
| Sugars | 9g |
| Protein | 18g |
FAQ
Is brie a good melting cheese?
Brie is an excellent melting cheese! It has a very low melting point and is already soft at room temperature, which means it turns gooey and delicious almost as soon as it hits the pan.
What pairs well with brie?
Brie pairs beautifully with sweet and tart flavors. Common pairings include apples, pears, honey, fig jam, berries, and various nuts like walnuts or pecans.
Can I eat the rind on brie cheese?
Yes, the white rind on brie is completely safe to eat. It is a form of edible mold that gives the cheese its characteristic flavor. Cutting it off is unnecessary and can actually cause you to lose some of the best parts of the cheese.
What is the best apple for grilled cheese?
You want an apple that is firm and slightly tart to cut through the richness of the cheese. Honeycrisp, Granny Smith, and Pink Lady are all fantastic choices for this recipe.
Apple Butter Brie Grilled Cheese
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Lay your slices of sourdough on a clean cutting board. Spread butter generously on the outer sides of the slices and spread your mustard or apple butter on the inside.4 slices Sourdough Bread, Butter, Honey Garlic Mustard or Apple Butter
- On two of the slices, add a layer of grated cheddar cheese followed by slices of brie cheese. Place the thinly sliced apples over the cheese and sprinkle with fresh thyme leaves. Top with the remaining bread slices.1 round Brie Cheese, Sharp Cheddar Cheese, 1 Honeycrisp Apple, Fresh Thyme
- Place a large skillet or stainless steel pan over medium-high heat. Once hot, add the sandwiches to the pan. It is often easier to cook one sandwich at a time to ensure you have enough room to flip them.
- Cook for 3 to 5 minutes on each side. Use a spatula to press the grilled cheese down firmly as it cooks, which helps the cheese melt and binds the ingredients together.
- Once the bread is golden brown and the cheese is visibly melting, remove from the heat. Slice the sandwiches in half and serve immediately while hot.