Apple Cheddar Galette with Thyme and Honey Recipe

Introduction

This Apple Cheddar Galette is a delightful mix of sweet and savory flavors wrapped in a flaky, herb-infused crust. Perfect for a cozy afternoon treat or a unique dessert, it combines crisp apples with sharp cheddar cheese and fresh thyme for an irresistible bite.

Ingredients

• For the crust:
  • ½ cup (1 stick or 113 grams) salted butter
  • 1 ¼ cup (150 grams) all-purpose flour, plus additional for dusting
  • ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1 teaspoon sugar
  • ½ cup (2 ounces) sharp white cheddar cheese, shredded
  • 1 teaspoon fresh thyme
  • 1 tablespoon vodka (or substitute with buttermilk)
  • 2-3 tablespoons ice cold water, plus more if necessary
• For the galette:
  • ¾ cup (3 ounces) sharp white cheddar cheese, shredded and divided
  • 1 large honeycrisp apple, cored and thinly sliced
  • 2 tablespoons salted butter, melted
  • 2 teaspoons granulated sugar
  • 1 teaspoon milk of choice
• For topping:
  • Flaky salt
  • A drizzle of honey
  • 2 sprigs fresh thyme, stems discarded

Instructions

1. Step 1: Cut the butter into ½ inch cubes and place on a plate. Freeze for 10 minutes until very cold. Meanwhile, prepare the other ingredients.
2. Step 2: In a food processor, pulse the flour, sugar, and salt a few times. Add the chilled butter cubes and pulse for 10-15 seconds until the mixture looks like tiny peas.
3. Step 3: Add the shredded cheddar cheese and fresh thyme leaves to the processor and pulse a few times until combined.
4. Step 4: Pour in 1 tablespoon vodka (or buttermilk), then add 2-3 tablespoons ice cold water. Pulse until the dough resembles small beads and just starts to come together but remains crumbly. Adjust with more ice water or flour as needed. Avoid overworking.
5. Step 5: Transfer the dough to a floured surface, shape into a disk, wrap tightly, and chill in the refrigerator for 30 minutes to 1 hour (or up to 2 days). Dough can also be frozen well wrapped for 2-3 months.
6. Step 6: Preheat the oven to 375ºF and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
7. Step 7: Toss the sliced apples with melted butter and sugar in a bowl until evenly coated.
8. Step 8: Roll the chilled dough out on a floured surface into a 12-inch circle about ¼ inch thick, allowing some cracks on the edges. Transfer to the prepared baking sheet.
9. Step 9: Sprinkle ½ cup shredded cheddar cheese over the dough, leaving a 1 ½ inch border. Arrange the buttered apples on top in a spiral, starting from the outer edge moving inward.
10. Step 10: Fold the outer edges of the dough inward to form a crust. Brush with milk, then sprinkle remaining ¼ cup cheddar cheese on the crust.
11. Step 11: Bake for 35-40 minutes until the crust is golden and apples are tender. Let cool for 10 minutes.
12. Step 12: Drizzle with honey, sprinkle flaky salt, and garnish with fresh thyme leaves. Slice into 6 or 8 pieces and serve.

Tips & Variations

• Use a tart apple like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp for the best balance of sweetness and acidity.
• For a richer crust, substitute half the vodka with cold buttermilk or add a teaspoon of vanilla for a subtle sweetness.
• Add a pinch of cinnamon or nutmeg to the apples for a warm spice twist.
• Serve with a dollop of crème fraîche or vanilla ice cream for an extra indulgent treat.

Storage

Store leftover galette covered loosely with foil or plastic wrap at room temperature for up to 2 days. For longer storage, refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 4 days. Reheat in a 350ºF oven for 10-15 minutes to crisp the crust before serving.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make the crust without a food processor?

Yes, you can cut the butter into the flour mixture by hand using a pastry cutter or two knives. Then, mix in the cheese, thyme, and liquids until the dough just comes together.

What if I don’t have vodka or buttermilk for the dough?

You can substitute with an equal amount of cold water, but the vodka or buttermilk helps tenderize the crust and add flavor. Using plain cold water will still work but may affect texture slightly.

Apple Cheddar Galette with Thyme and Honey Recipe

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★★★★★

4.6 from 68 reviews

• Author: Noah
• Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
• Yield: 6 to 8 slices 1x

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Description

This Apple Cheddar Galette is a delightful rustic tart featuring a flaky thyme and cheddar cheese crust wrapped around sweet, butter-coated honeycrisp apples and sharp white cheddar. Perfectly baked to golden perfection, it balances savory and sweet flavors with a hint of fresh thyme, making it a unique and comforting dessert or snack.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

For the crust:

• ½ cup (1 stick or 113 grams) salted butter
• 1 ¼ cup (150 grams) all-purpose flour, plus additional for dusting
• ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• ½ cup (2 ounces) sharp white cheddar cheese, shredded
• 1 teaspoon fresh thyme
• 1 tablespoon vodka (or substitute buttermilk)
• 2–3 tablespoons ice cold water, plus more if necessary

For the galette filling:

• ¾ cup (3 ounces) sharp white cheddar cheese, shredded and divided
• 1 large honeycrisp apple, cored and thinly sliced
• 2 tablespoons salted butter, melted
• 2 teaspoons granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon milk of choice

For topping:

• Flaky salt
• A drizzle of honey
• 2 sprigs fresh thyme, stems discarded

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Instructions

1. Prepare butter: Cut the salted butter into ½ inch cubes and place on a plate. Freeze for 10 minutes until very cold to ensure a flaky crust.
2. Combine dry ingredients: Add flour, sugar, and kosher salt into a food processor. Pulse a few times to mix thoroughly.
3. Incorporate butter: Add the chilled butter cubes to the processor and pulse for 10-15 seconds until the mixture resembles tiny peas to create a crumbly base.
4. Add cheese and thyme: Mix in shredded cheddar cheese and fresh thyme leaves by pulsing a few more times to distribute evenly.
5. Bind the dough: Pour in 1 tablespoon vodka or buttermilk, then add 2-3 tablespoons of ice cold water. Pulse until the dough starts coming together in small beads but remains slightly crumbly. Adjust with extra ice water or flour as needed. Avoid overworking the dough to preserve flakiness.
6. Chill the dough: Transfer dough onto a floured surface, form a disk, wrap tightly in plastic wrap, and chill in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes up to 2 days. Dough can also be frozen for 2-3 months if wrapped properly.
7. Prepare oven and baking sheet: Preheat oven to 375ºF (190ºC). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
8. Prepare apple filling: In a medium bowl, toss thinly sliced apples with melted butter and granulated sugar until fully coated.
9. Roll out dough: On a floured surface, roll chilled dough into a 12-inch circle about ¼ inch thick, allowing edges to be slightly cracked. Transfer dough circle onto the parchment-lined baking sheet.
10. Assemble galette: Sprinkle ½ cup shredded cheddar cheese over the dough, leaving a 1½-inch border. Arrange buttered apple slices in a spiral starting from the outer edge moving inward.
11. Fold crust: Fold the unfinished edges of dough inward over the apples to create a rustic crust. Brush the crust with milk and sprinkle remaining ¼ cup shredded cheddar cheese on top.
12. Bake galette: Bake for 35-40 minutes until the crust is golden brown and apples are tender.
13. Garnish and serve: Cool for 10 minutes, then drizzle with honey, sprinkle flaky salt, and add fresh thyme leaves. Slice into 6-8 pieces and enjoy warm or at room temperature.

Notes

• Using very cold butter and ice water is key to achieving a flaky, tender crust.
• Vodka in the dough helps keep it tender and flaky, but buttermilk is a good substitute if preferred.
• Don’t overwork the dough to avoid a tough crust.
• Honeycrisp apples provide a perfect balance of sweetness and tartness; other firm, crisp apples like Granny Smith or Fuji can be used as well.
• Galette can be served warm or at room temperature, making it flexible for any occasion.
• Leftover galette can be stored covered at room temperature for up to 2 days or refrigerated for up to 4 days.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 40 minutes
• Category: Dessert
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Keywords: apple galette, cheddar cheese tart, rustic apple tart, thyme cheddar crust, honeycrisp apple dessert, savory apple galette