Description
This Apple Cheddar Galette is a rustic, savory-sweet tart featuring a flaky thyme and sharp white cheddar crust filled with buttered honeycrisp apples and more sharp cheddar cheese. Perfect for a brunch, afternoon snack, or light dessert, the galette combines the crisp tartness of apples with the rich, tangy flavor of white cheddar, finished with a drizzle of honey and flaky salt for a perfectly balanced bite.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
For the crust:
- 1/2 cup (1 stick or 113 grams) salted butter, cubed and very cold
- 1 1/4 cup (150 grams) all-purpose flour, plus additional for dusting
- 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 1/2 cup (2 ounces) sharp white cheddar cheese, shredded
- 1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves
- 1 tablespoon vodka (or substitute buttermilk)
- 2–3 tablespoons ice cold water, plus more if necessary
For the galette filling:
- 3/4 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, to sprinkle
- A drizzle of honey
- 2 sprigs fresh thyme, stems discarded
Instructions
- Prepare the crust: Cut the butter into ½ inch cubes and place on a plate in the freezer for 10 minutes to chill thoroughly. This step ensures the crust will be flaky.
- Make the dough: In a food processor, pulse together the flour, sugar, and kosher salt. Add the chilled butter cubes and pulse for 10-15 seconds until the mixture resembles tiny peas. Add the shredded cheddar cheese and thyme leaves, pulsing a few times to combine evenly.
- Add liquids: Pour in 1 tablespoon vodka (or buttermilk), then add 2-3 tablespoons ice cold water. Pulse until the dough just holds together in small beads but remains slightly crumbly. Adjust by adding more ice water ½ tablespoon at a time if too dry or flour if too wet, taking care not to overwork the dough.
- Chill the dough: Transfer the dough onto a floured surface, form into a disk, wrap tightly with plastic wrap or place in a reusable bag, and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to 1 hour, or up to 2 days. Dough can be frozen for 2-3 months if well wrapped.
- Preheat and prepare: Preheat your oven to 375ºF (190ºC) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Prepare the filling: In a medium bowl, combine the thinly sliced apple with melted butter and granulated sugar, tossing carefully to coat all slices evenly.
- Roll out dough: Lightly dust your work surface with flour and roll the chilled dough into a 12-inch circle about ¼ inch thick, allowing cracks on the edges. Transfer the dough onto the parchment-lined baking sheet.
- Assemble the galette: Sprinkle half (½ cup) of the shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the dough, leaving a 1 ½ inch border. Arrange the buttered apple slices on top of the cheese in a spiral pattern starting from the outer edge toward the center.
- Fold crust edges: Fold the outer edges of the dough inward over the filling to create a rustic crust. Brush the crust with milk and then sprinkle the remaining ¼ cup of shredded cheddar cheese on top of the crust edges.
- Bake: Bake the galette in the preheated oven for 35-40 minutes or until the crust is golden brown and the apples are tender.
- Finish and serve: Allow the galette to cool for 10 minutes, then drizzle with honey, sprinkle with flaky salt, and garnish with fresh thyme leaves. Slice into 6 to 8 pieces and enjoy warm or at room temperature.
Notes
- Keep the butter very cold to ensure a flaky crust.
- You can substitute vodka with buttermilk in the dough for a slightly tangier flavor.
- If dough is too crumbly, add ice water a little at a time, being careful not to overhydrate.
- The dough can be prepared in advance and refrigerated or frozen for convenience.
- Choose a crisp apple variety such as Honeycrisp to hold shape and offer sweet-tart balance.
- Sprinkle flaky sea salt at the end to enhance the flavors of the apple and cheese.
- This galette is best enjoyed the day it’s baked but can be reheated gently.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (1/6th of galette)
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 280mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 28g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 7g
- Cholesterol: 50mg
