Overview

This dessert melt is filled with brown butter cinnamon apples and covered in Tillamook Special Reserve Extra Sharp Cheddar. We bet you won’t finish it without saying “yum!”

"Most people don’t think of dessert when it comes to grilled cheese, but we do! Tillamook Special Reserve Extra Sharp Cheddar is a wonderful compliment to the sweet/tart apples in this melt. What a great way to end a meal! I hope this brings you back to that smell of mom making apple pie and the aroma filling up the entire house. Because of the sweetness of the bread, you want to cook this melt on a slightly lower heat to avoid burning." - Dave Danhi of the Grilled Cheese Truck

Ingredients

¾ cup (6 oz) Tillamook^® Unsalted Butter at room temperature
¾ cup (6 oz) mayonnaise
16 slices Tillamook^® Special Reserve Extra Sharp Cheddar Cheese
1 pinch salt
8 slices cinnamon raisin bread

For the Apple Filling
8 tablespoons (1 stick) Tillamook^® Unsalted Butter 
5 Granny Smith apples, cut into 1/16
3 tablespoons brown sugar
½ teaspoon cinnamon
¾ cup (6 oz) toasted pecan pieces

 

Preparation

Butter Spread
In a mixer, put butter and mayonnaise and beat with the paddle attachment until well mixed. Be sure to scrape down the sides of the bowl to incorporate all butter as it may stick to the bowl.

Apple Filling
Place stick of butter in a heavy bottomed stainless steel pan on medium heat. Melt and just as butter starts to brown, add sliced apples. Raise the heat to high and sauté apples for 3 minutes, tossing often. Add brown sugar, cinnamon and pecans just as butter has browned. Toss over heat for one more minute or until apples are just tender. Allow to cool 10 minutes.

Assembly
Generously butter each slice of bread with the butter spread on one side and lay buttered side down. Add (in order) 2 slices cheddar, ⅓ cup Apple Filling, 1 slice buttered cinnamon raisin bread. Heat griddle to about 350°F. Place all sandwiches on griddle. Allow sandwiches to cook slowly. If your heat is too high, the bread will burn and the inside will not be hot. Once golden brown, gently flip and repeat until cheese is melted and inside is hot. If the bread browns prior to the inside being hot, place pan with sandwiches in oven at 450°F to allow to finish.