MomsMenu.com Recipe Finder Cheddar Streusel Apple Pie

1 package (17 1/4 ounces) frozen puff pastry

Cheddar Cheese Streusel:
1 cup flour
1/2 cup sugar
1/4 pound (1 stick) butter or margarine, melted
1 cup shredded sharp Cheddar cheese (about 4
ounces)
1/4 teaspoon salt

Filling:
5 tart cooking apples, such as Pippin or Granny
Smith (about 3 pounds)
3/4 cup sugar
1/4 cup flour
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon grated lemon peel
1/8 teaspoon ground cloves
1/8 teaspoon salt

Remove 1 sheet of puff pastry from package. Return the second sheet to the freezer for another use. Defrost the puff pastry in the
refrigerator or at room temperature until it is pliable but still very cold. Roll it out on a lightly floured board until large enough to cut an 11" circle. Drape the pastry into a 9" pie dish, pressing it onto the bottom and up the sides. Pleat the top edges at 1" intervals. Refrigerate while preparing the filling.

To make Cheddar Cheese Streusel, mix the flour, sugar, butter or margarine, cheese and salt in a small bowl with a fork until well mixed. Set aside.Preheat the oven to 400. Place an oven rack in the lowest position. To make the filling, peel, halve, and core the apples. Slice them into 1/4" slices and place them in a large bowl. Add the sugar, flour, cinnamon, lemon peel, cloves, and salt. Toss with a large spoon until well mixed. Pour the apples into the crust, mounding the top. Crumble the cheese streusel over the top. Place the pie dish on a baking sheet and bake for 40-45 minutes or until the top is golden brown and the pie stsarts bubbling around the side. If the top gets too brown, place a sheet of foil loosely over it the last 10-15 minutes of baking. The pie may be held at room temperature, loosely covered at this point. Reheat at 400 degrees for 10 minutes before serving. Serve warm. The pie will be very juicy.
Serves 8.