Smoked Gouda & Apple Grilled Cheese

Gourmet grilled cheese featuring smoked Gouda and crisp apples between golden-brown buttery bread. Ready in 20 minutes.

# What You’ll Need:

→ Bread & Dairy

01 - 4 slices sourdough bread or country-style bread

02 - 4 ounces smoked Gouda cheese, sliced

03 - 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened

→ Fruit

04 - 1 small crisp apple such as Granny Smith or Honeycrisp, cored and thinly sliced

→ Optional Additions

05 - 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard

06 - Freshly ground black pepper to taste

# How-To:

01 - Spread a thin layer of butter on one side of each bread slice

02 - Place the bread slices buttered side down on a clean surface

03 - Spread Dijon mustard on the unbuttered side of two slices if desired

04 - Layer half of the Gouda slices on two bread slices, arrange apple slices evenly over the cheese, then top with remaining Gouda and season with black pepper if desired

05 - Close the sandwiches with the remaining bread slices, buttered side facing out

06 - Heat a large skillet or griddle over medium-low heat

07 - Place the sandwiches in the skillet and cook for 3 to 4 minutes per side, pressing lightly with a spatula, until the bread is golden brown and the cheese is melted

08 - Remove from heat, let cool slightly, then slice and serve warm

# Expert Advice:

01 -

The way melty Gouda and crisp apples create the most incredible sweet-and-savory contrast in every bite
Ready in 20 minutes but tastes like something from a fancy café
That golden, buttery crunch when you bite into it is basically edible comfort

02 -

Medium-low heat is your friend, high heat burns the bread before the cheese melts
Thin apple slices are crucial or they won't soften properly while the bread grills
Pressing gently with your spatula helps everything meld together without squeezing out the cheese

03 -