Apple & Smoked Cheddar Upside Down Puff Pastry

Sweet and savoury, this apple & smoked cheddar puff pastry will have you (and your friends) coming back for more at your next Sunday brunch!

This recipe reminds me of when I used to visit my grandparents, as a kid. Every visit, without fail, after dinner my Grandma would hand me a slice of apple pie to take downstairs to my Grandpa, while he was watching Wheel of Fortune. I would get all the way downstairs and then he would say "where's the cheddar cheese?". It was like it was an ongoing joke between the two of them, and I was the messenger ☺

One of my all-time favourite flavour combinations—the savoury smoked cheddar perfectly balances the sweetness of the apple and honey. Not to mention the flaky honey-crisped puff pastry that just melts in your mouth.

This recipe can be made (and devoured) in 30 minutes or less, making it the perfect dish to bring to your next gathering. But be prepared, these puff pastries will have your friends fighting over the last square at Sunday brunch!

To top it all off, serve these Apple & Smoked Cheddar Puff Pasties with a mimosa!

Apple & Smoked Cheddar Upside Down Puff Pasties

Makes 8

What you'll need:

1 sheet puff pastry, thawed

¼ cup honey, divided

1 Ontario honeycrisp apple, thinly sliced

2 cups shredded smoked cheddar cheese, divided

1 tbsp heavy cream or egg wash, for brushing

Fresh thyme leaves, removed from the stem

Steps:

Preheat the oven to 375F, and move an oven rack to the middle of the oven. Line a large baking sheet with parchment and set aside.

Cut the puff pastry into 8 equal rectangles. Spread ½ tsp honey on the parchment paper in shape of a rectangle for each pastry. Fan 4-5 apple slices and place directly on top of the honey. Next place ¼ cup shredded smoked cheddar cheese on top of apples. Lay each rectangle of puff pastry on top of the cheese and crimp the edges using a fork. Brush the puff pastry with heavy cream or egg wash and bake on the middle oven rack for 15-18 minutes until golden brown.

To serve: garnish with fresh thyme leaves, drizzle with remaining honey, and enjoy!

Enjoy, my friends!