Spiced Apple and Cheddar Cheese Filo Treats
 
Prep time
Cook time
Total time
 
A delightful and unexpected fall recipe with crispy filo, caramelized apples, warm spices and cheddar cheese!
Author:
Recipe type: Dessert
Serves: 8
Ingredients
  • 4 - 5 medium baking apples, about 1½ lbs.
  • ⅓ cup light brown sugar
  • ¼ tsp. salt
  • ½ tsp. ground cinnamon (and a small cinnamon stick, optional)
  • ¼ tsp. ground cardamom
  • 2 TBSP. brandy
  • 1 tsp. cornstarch
  • 1 TBSP. cold water
  • ½ cup butter, melted
  • 4 oz. cheddar cheese
  • 1 package of filo dough, thawed overnight in the refrigerator
  • 1 tsp. turbinado sugar for sprinkling the edges of the filo before baking (optional)
  • --- powdered sugar, for dusting
Instructions
  1. Remove the thawed filo from the refrigerator and let it sit on the counter for 30 minutes, without taking it out of the package.
  2. Peel, core, and quarter the apples.  Chop the quarters into ½” pieces then place them in a large, nonstick pan along with the light brown sugar, salt, cinnamon, cardamom and brandy.  Gently combine the ingredients and cook the mixture for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the apples are tender and caramelized.  Dissolve the cornstarch into the cold water and stir it into the apple mixture.  Cook for another 3 minutes, or, until the juices thicken.  Allow the mixture to sit for 10 minutes to cool.
  3. Set the oven rack in the middle position then pre-heat the oven to 375°F.
  4. Cut the cheddar cheese into small cubes and set aside.
  5. Butter 8-9 cupcake holders (depending on the size of the cups) with melted butter.
  6. Open the filo package, unroll the filo, and remove one sheet of filo (keep the rest covered with a clean kitchen towel because they dry out easily).  Place the first sheet on the counter in front of you, brush it with some melted butter, then top it with a second filo sheet, butter it, and repeat with a third layer of filo.  At the end of the process, you will have a three-sheet layer of filo.  With a sharp knife, cut the stack of filo in three equal horizontal strips (about 4.5" each).  Then, make three vertical cuts, across the horizontal strips, each one 6" wide.  You will have 9 squares, each one about 6" by 4.5".
  7. Gently press the filo squares into the cups.  Place a few cheese cubes at the bottom of each of the filo cups.  Then, add about 2 heaping tablespoons of the apple mixture, followed with a few more cheese cubes on top of the apples.
  8. Continue filling the rest of the filo cups with the remaining apple filling and cheese.  You should have a total of 8 - 9 filled filo cups in total at the end of the process.
  9. Brush the edges of the filo with some melted butter, and sprinkle with some turbinado sugar (if using).  Bake them for 12-15 minutes or until golden brown and the cheese is melted.
  10. Remove the cupcake pan from the oven and allow to slightly cool before placing to a serving platter.  Serve them plain, with a sprinkle of powdered sugar, or, with a small scoop of good quality vanilla ice cream.
Recipe by Marilena's Kitchen at https://marilenaskitchen.com/spiced-apple-and-cheddar-cheese-filo-treats/