Irresistible Apple Bacon Cheese English Muffins: Your Ultimate Fall Breakfast Recipe
Forget your ordinary breakfast routine and prepare to be amazed by these incredible Apple Bacon Cheese English Muffins. This recipe is an absolute game-changer, combining the sweet crunch of apples, the savory crispness of bacon, and the delightful creaminess of Gouda cheese, all perfectly broiled atop a humble English muffin. It’s an easy-to-make, utterly delicious, and truly “out of the box” fall breakfast that will quickly become a seasonal favorite.
As the leaves change and the air turns crisp, our palates naturally crave comforting flavors that evoke the essence of autumn. This dish captures that sentiment beautifully, offering a harmonious blend of textures and tastes that awaken the senses. Imagine biting into a perfectly toasted English muffin, yielding to a layer of melting, tangy cheese, followed by a burst of sweet, tender apple, and the satisfying crunch of smoky bacon. It’s a breakfast experience that’s both hearty and surprisingly sophisticated, yet so simple to prepare.
The Accidental Discovery: A Fridge Full of English Muffins
The inspiration for these delightful English muffins came from a common household scenario: an abundance of a single ingredient that desperately needed to be used. The other day, my middle son, with the grand intention of making English muffin pizzas for our family dinner and for his FACS (Family and Consumer Sciences) class at school, had me stock up on English muffins. And when I say stock up, I mean I bought enough to feed a small army! Living in the “bible belt” means everything is done on a grand scale, so we’re talking dozens upon dozens of English muffins taking up precious fridge space.
However, as often happens with teenagers, plans can change in an instant. A last-minute invitation to a football game quickly superseded his dinner-making ambitions, leaving me with a refrigerator brimming with untouched English muffins. It was a delightful problem, really. A culinary challenge to transform these humble, oft-overlooked bread rounds into something exciting and new. My mind immediately started racing, contemplating the untapped potential of the English muffin beyond the usual suspects like eggs Benedict or, ironically, English muffin pizzas.
After a quick inventory of what else I had on hand – crisp apples, savory bacon, and a delightful spreadable Laughing Cow Gouda cheese – it hit me. These ingredients, combined with the abundance of English muffins, were destined to create a fantastic fall breakfast. And indeed, they did not disappoint! This serendipitous culinary exploration led to a discovery that I’m thrilled to share with you.
A Symphony of Flavors: Why Apples, Bacon, and Cheese Belong Together
Before we delve deeper, let me pose a question: have you embraced the sublime combination of apples and sharp cheese? For many years, I, too, viewed this pairing with a skeptical eye, thinking it an odd combination. But oh, how I regret those wasted years! I’ve only recently come to truly appreciate the incredible harmony that unfolds when sweet, crisp apples meet the creamy, tangy notes of a sharp cheese. And boy, do these flavors truly shine in these Apple Bacon Cheese English Muffins!
My kids, thankfully, are learning this foodie lesson much earlier in life, and they absolutely adore this unique breakfast. The beauty of these Apple Bacon Cheese English Muffins lies in the perfect balance of contrasting elements. You’ve got the delightful crunch and natural sweetness of fresh apples, which caramelize slightly under the broiler. This is beautifully complemented by the rich, creamy, and distinctively sharp flavor of Gouda cheese, which melts into a luscious layer. And then, of course, there’s the bacon. Ah, bacon! Its smoky, salty, and utterly irresistible crispness elevates the entire dish, taking it completely over the top. It’s a culinary truth universally acknowledged: bacon makes everything better, and this recipe is no exception.
The inclusion of minced shallots, cooked until tender and caramelized with the apples, adds another layer of subtle aromatic sweetness and savory depth that rounds out the flavor profile perfectly. This isn’t just a simple breakfast; it’s a gourmet experience disguised in an easy-to-make package.
Choosing Your Ingredients: Tips for the Best Apple Bacon Cheese English Muffins
The success of this recipe truly lies in the quality and combination of its core ingredients. Let’s break down how to choose the best components:
- Apples: For this recipe, you want apples that hold their shape well when cooked and offer a good balance of sweetness and tartness. Honeycrisp, Fuji, Gala, or even a Granny Smith (if you prefer a more tart contrast) would work wonderfully. Chopping them into small, even pieces ensures they cook quickly and distribute evenly on the muffin.
- Bacon: A good quality, thick-cut bacon will provide the best flavor and texture. Cook it until it’s perfectly crisp – not burnt, but with a satisfying snap. The rendered bacon fat is crucial for caramelizing the apples and shallots, infusing them with an undeniable savory depth. If you’re feeling adventurous, try a maple-flavored bacon for an extra layer of sweetness.
- Cheese: The original recipe uses Laughing Cow spreadable Gouda, which offers a wonderfully creamy texture and a distinctively mild yet sharp flavor. However, the beauty of this recipe is its adaptability. Feel free to experiment with your favorite sharp cheese spread. A sharp cheddar, Gruyere, or even a creamy Brie would also be delightful. The key is to choose a cheese that melts well and provides a counterpoint to the sweetness of the apple and the saltiness of the bacon.
- English Muffins: Any brand of English muffins will do, but ensure they are split properly to create those craggy nooks and crannies that will perfectly cradle all the delicious toppings and become wonderfully crisp when broiled.
- Shallots: Don’t skip the shallots! They add a delicate onion flavor that sweetens and caramelizes, providing a depth of flavor that a regular onion might overpower. Their mildness complements the other ingredients without being too assertive.
Mastering the Broil: Quick Steps to Perfection
One of the best aspects of these Apple Bacon Cheese English Muffins is how quickly they come together, especially with the help of your broiler. Here’s a quick overview of the simple process:
- Crisp the Bacon: Start by cooking your bacon in a skillet until it’s perfectly crisp. This not only gives you delicious bacon but also renders fat that will be used to cook the apples and shallots, adding immense flavor.
- Caramelize the Apples and Shallots: In the same skillet, using the residual bacon grease, cook the chopped apples and minced shallots with a touch of brown sugar. This step is crucial for developing that sweet, savory, and slightly tangy apple mixture that truly defines the dish. The brown sugar helps in the caramelization, bringing out the natural sugars in the apples and mellowing the shallots.
- Assemble and Broil: Spread each half of an English muffin with your chosen cheese spread. Pile high with the apple and bacon mixture. A quick trip under a hot broiler is all it takes to melt the cheese, toast the muffin edges to a golden crisp, and bring all the flavors together in a warm, gooey, and utterly satisfying way. Keep a close eye on them, as broilers can be fierce!
These Apple, Bacon, and Cheese English Muffins are:
- Crisp and crunchy: From the perfectly toasted English muffin to the crisp bacon bits.
- Sweet and salty: The ideal balance between sweet apples and savory bacon and cheese.
- Full of juicy apples and smoky bacon: Each bite is packed with robust flavors and delightful textures.
- Creamy sharp Gouda cheese: Melts beautifully, adding a rich, tangy counterpoint.
- On top of a humble English muffin for a wow breakfast: Transforms an everyday item into something extraordinary.
More Than Just Breakfast: Versatile Serving Ideas
While these Apple Bacon Cheese English Muffins are undoubtedly a stellar breakfast option, their versatility extends far beyond the morning meal. We often serve them up with fluffy scrambled eggs for a complete, easy, yet exceptionally unique fall breakfast or brunch spread. But don’t limit yourself!
Consider these creative serving suggestions:
- Brunch Extravaganza: Pair them with a fresh fruit salad, a mimosa, or even a light green salad for a more elaborate brunch.
- Quick Lunch: They make a surprisingly satisfying and flavorful light lunch, especially when served alongside a cup of warm soup.
- Appetizer Twist: Cut the broiled muffins into quarters for a sophisticated and incredibly flavorful party appetizer that will surely impress your guests.
- Sweet & Savory Snack: When hunger strikes between meals, one of these muffins can be a perfectly balanced and indulgent snack.
The beauty of this recipe is its adaptability to various occasions and preferences. Feel free to use your favorite flavor of spreadable cheese, or if you prefer a different texture, a good quality sharp cheddar or Gruyere would also work well, grated over the top before broiling.
Embrace the Season: The Ultimate Fall Breakfast
As autumn arrives with its cozy charm, our cravings often shift towards warm, comforting, and hearty dishes. These Apple Bacon Cheese English Muffins are perfectly suited for the season. The sweet-tart apples evoke harvest-time goodness, while the smoky bacon and melted cheese provide that comforting, savory warmth we all seek as the days grow shorter.
This recipe is an invitation to embrace the flavors of fall in a creative and utterly delicious way. It’s quick enough for a weekday morning when you want something special, yet impressive enough to serve to guests for a weekend brunch. It’s a testament to how simple ingredients, thoughtfully combined, can create an unforgettable culinary experience.
So, next time you find yourself with a surplus of English muffins, or simply yearning for a breakfast that breaks the mold, give these Apple Bacon Cheese English Muffins a try. You might just discover your new favorite fall tradition.
Apple Bacon Cheese English Muffins
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Ingredients
- 6 slices bacon
- 2 apples (chopped)
- 3 Tablespoons shallot (minced)
- 1 Tablespoon brown sugar
- 4 wedges Laughing Cow Gouda Cheese Spread
- 4 English muffins (split)
Instructions
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In a skillet cook the bacon on medium-high heat until crisp, around 6-7 minutes. Remove the bacon to paper towels and discard the remaining bacon grease.
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Add the chopped apples, minced shallot, and brown sugar to the skillet. Cook and stir until the apples begin to get tender and the shallots caramelize, about 6-7 minutes. Remove from the heat. Crumble the bacon and add to the apple mixture.
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Set the oven to broil.
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Spread each half of the English muffin with half (or more if desired) of a Laughing Cow Cheese spread wedge. Top the English muffins with the apple mixture and place on a baking sheet. Broil for 2-3 minutes or until the edges are crispy and browned and the cheese is melted and bubbly. Serve warm.
Notes
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