Jane's Apple Pie in a Mug

Just the thing if you need a quick fall treat!

So after talking all about apples in early America in my last post, I decided to roll the clock even further back. One thing I don’t think a lot of people realize is just how few comforts of home early European settlers to the Americas actually had. It took a really long time to import and cultivate crops, and farming techniques you were familiar with back in Europe didn’t always translate to New England or Virginia. 

It also meant you had to make some tough decisions about what kind of crops you brought first. Sweet apples weren’t cultivated in early Jamestown. Instead, their bitter cousins were grown for – you guessed it – cider! So kids like Jane would have had to learn to make do without some old favorites, including apples paired with cheese. 

This very modern take on apple pie is a quick, easy way to bring a taste of a very classic pairing. Ready in minutes, it can be enjoyed year round and doesn’t involve fussing with pastry! What’s not to love?

Although no one really knows who the first person was to include some sharp cheddar cheese in an apple pie, people have been pairing cheese and fruit since ancient times. When served together, they often came at the end of a meal. As both fruit and cheese were foods the wealthy could indulge in after finishing a large meal, a course like this became something of a status symbol. Even when they were more affordable, the association with being a sort of classy pairing has remained. Just think of how fancy a cheese plate can be! 

Adding cheddar cheese to apple pie can be a controversial choice, and it’s often met by surprise and suspicion by someone who hasn’t had it before. But trust me, done right, this is worth it. Plus, trying something new is always fun. 

Peel and slice an apple into thin pieces and put it in a microwave safe mug with a little butter. Microwave it until the apples are soft, about two minutes.

The apples will reduce in size by quite a bit once they’re cooked.

Add your classic apple pie seasoning: a little brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and just a little cornstarch and salt to thicken it. Mix it together, and top it with shredded sharp cheddar cheese. 

I topped mine with a circle of puff pastry I had cooked in the oven and topped with cinnamon sugar. You can use puff pastry, or frozen pie crust, defrosted, and cooked in the microwave with the rest of the apples. I microwaved mine for about another three minutes.

And viola!

You have apple pie in a mug:

Mug based desserts don’t always deliver on the texture or flavor, but this is definitely all the best qualities of an apple pie. Plus, you just have one dish to clean, which makes it good in a pinch if you don’t feel like making a whole pie. 

Unfortunately, it does mean you don’t have any leftovers, but you can always make a second helping!

Which I think Jane is already hankering for…