Description
A decadent grilled cheese sandwich featuring aged cheddar, Granny Smith apples, crispy beef bacon, and a drizzle of hot honey for a perfect balance of sweet, savory, and spicy flavors.
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)
Instructions
- Prepare Hot Honey (Optional): If desired, combine ½ cup honey, 1-2 tablespoons red pepper flakes, and optional ½ teaspoon apple cider vinegar in a small saucepan. Gently heat over low heat for 5–7 minutes. Let steep for 15–20 minutes.
- Cook Beef Bacon: Heat a heavy skillet over medium heat and cook beef bacon until crispy, about 8–12 minutes, flipping midway.
- Prepare Apple and Cheese: Rinse, core, and thinly slice the Granny Smith apple. Grate or slice sharp cheddar cheese.
- Assemble Sandwiches: Butter one side of all bread slices. Layer half of the cheddar on 4 unbuttered sides, top with apple slices, beef bacon, 1 tablespoon hot honey, and another layer of cheddar. Top with remaining bread slices, butter-side-up.
- Grill Sandwiches: Preheat skillet on medium-low heat, adding 1 teaspoon reserved bacon fat. Cook sandwiches butter-side down for 4–6 minutes on each side until golden-brown.
- Finish and Serve: Let sandwiches rest before slicing. Serve warm with optional flaky sea salt or extra hot honey.
Notes
Customize with different cheeses or breads. Serve alongside crispy fries or a refreshing salad for a complete meal.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 sandwich
- Calories: 650
- Sugar: 22g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 38g
- Saturated Fat: 15g
- Unsaturated Fat: 20g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 44g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 18g
- Cholesterol: 50mg