Cheddar Almond Pie with Cranberry Streusel

One bite of this delicious Cheddar Almond Pie with Cranberry Streusel will convince you that the Cheddar-cranberry pairing is destined for a dessert.

Ingredients

Crust

• 1 (9 inch) single-crust pie pastry
• 2 1/4 cups (8 ounces) slivered almonds
• 8 ounces (2 cups) Wisconsin white Cheddar cheese, shredded
• 1 cup (2 sticks) butter, softened

Filling

• 1 1/3 cups granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 4 teaspoons all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons cornstarch
• 4 teaspoons vanilla extract

Cranberry-Almond Streusel

• 1 cup fresh or frozen cranberries, thawed
• 1/2 cup (4 ounces) sliced almonds
• 1/4 cup packed brown sugar

Instructions

1. Heat oven to 350 degrees F.

Crust

1. Roll out pastry on a lightly floured surface. Transfer to a 9-inch pie plate and trim to 1/2 inch of plate; flute edges.
2. Place slivered almonds in a food processor; cover and process until finely ground. Add cheddar; cover and pulse until cheddar mixture resembles coarse sand.

Filling

1. Cream butter and sugar in large bowl until light and fluffy. Add the cheddar mixture, eggs, flour, cornstarch and vanilla extract; beat just until blended. Spoon into pastry.

Cranberry-Almond Streusel

1. Cranberry-Almond Streusel: Combine the cranberries, sliced almonds and brown sugar in a bowl; sprinkle over filling. Lightly pat streusel. Bake for 50 to 60 minutes or until filling puffs slightly in center and a thermometer inserted near the center reads 160 degrees F. Lightly cover with foil if cranberries start to get too brown.
2. Cool on a wire rack.
3. Refrigerate leftovers.

Notes

Any brand of Wisconsin white Cheddar cheese can be used.

Cheddar is available white (off white or even golden yellow, depending on milk used) or with an orange hue. A natural plant dye extracted from the flavorless annatto seed is added to give orange cheddar its color.

Attribution

Recipe and photo used with permission from: Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin