Apple Pretzel Crisp with Aged Cheddar

Granny Smith apples, applesauce, brown sugar, cinnamon, lemon peel, salty crushed pretzels and sharp aged cheddar team up to create one phenomenal dessert.

Recipe Ingredients:

1 2/3 cups crushed pretzel crumbs (about 4 cups broken up pretzels)* - divided use
2 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon - divided use
1 1/2 teaspoons grated lemon peel - divided use
8 cups Granny Smith apples, cored and sliced (about 1/8-inch thick)
2 1/2 cups natural unsweetened applesauce
2 cups (8 ounces) Wisconsin Sharp Aged Cheddar, finely shredded - divided use
1 cup light brown sugar, firmly packed
3 tablespoons butter, melted

Low fat vanilla yogurt for accompaniment (optional)

Cooking Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. In large bowl, combine 2/3 cup pretzel crumbs, 2 teaspoons cinnamon and 1 teaspoon lemon peel. Add apple slices, tossing to coat well. Stir in applesauce and 1 cup of the cheddar.
3. Spread mixture evenly in a 9x13x2-inch baking dish.
4. In medium bowl, combine remaining pretzel crumbs and cheese, brown sugar, remaining cinnamon, lemon peel and butter. Sprinkle evenly over apple mixture.
5. Bake 50 to 60 minutes, or until golden, bubbly and thick. Cool slightly before cutting.
6. Serve warm or cold, topped with frozen vanilla yogurt, if desired.

Makes 12 servings.

*To make the crumbs, place pretzel pieces in a gallon-size zip-to-close plastic bag and seal removing as much air as possible. Using a rolling pin, crush or roll until crumb consistency. Or, place pretzel pieces in a food processor. Pulse until crumb consistency.

Recipe and photograph provided courtesy of Wisconsin Milk Marketing Board, Inc.