Description
A delightful grilled cheese sandwich featuring sharp cheddar, sweet Granny Smith apples, crispy beef bacon, and a drizzle of hot honey.
Ingredients
Scale
- 8 slices artisan bread (sourdough recommended)
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
- 8 slices thick-cut beef bacon
- 6 ounces sharp cheddar cheese, grated or thinly sliced
- 1 medium Granny Smith apple, thinly sliced
- 2 tablespoons Hot Honey
- Pinch flaky sea salt (optional)
- ½ cup honey (if making hot honey from scratch)
- 1-2 tablespoons red pepper flakes (if making hot honey from scratch)
- ½ teaspoon apple cider vinegar (optional, if making hot honey from scratch)
Instructions
- Prepare Hot Honey (Optional): To make Hot Honey, combine ½ cup honey, 1-2 tbsp red pepper flakes, and optional ½ tsp apple cider vinegar in a small saucepan. Gently heat over low for 5-7 minutes. Remove from heat and let steep for 15-20 minutes. Strain if desired.
- Cook Beef Bacon: Cook 8 slices of beef bacon until crispy (Stovetop: cook 8-12 min, flipping; Oven: bake at 400°F for 15-20 min). Drain on paper towels, reserving about 1 tbsp rendered fat. Break bacon into pieces.
- Prepare Apple and Cheese: Wash, core, and thinly slice 1 medium Granny Smith apple (approx. 1/8-inch thick). Grate or slice 6 oz sharp cheddar cheese.
- Assemble Sandwiches: Butter one side of all 8 bread slices. On 4 unbuttered sides, layer half the cheddar cheese, then apple slices, followed by beef bacon. Drizzle 1 tbsp hot honey over each. Top with remaining cheddar cheese. Place remaining 4 buttered bread slices on top.
- Grill Sandwiches: Preheat a skillet over medium-low heat with 1 tsp reserved bacon fat. Place sandwiches butter-side down. Cook 4-6 minutes per side until golden-brown and cheese is melted.
- Finish and Serve: Transfer grilled sandwiches to a cutting board and let rest for 2-3 minutes. Cut each sandwich diagonally. Sprinkle with flaky sea salt or drizzle with hot honey. Serve warm.
Notes
Use good-quality cheese for the best flavor. Keep the heat low when grilling to prevent burning.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 sandwich
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 10g
- Sodium: 700mg
- Fat: 25g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 20g
- Cholesterol: 50mg