Bacon, Cheddar, and Apple Bake

This southern-style dish, which combines savory (bacon and sharp Cheddar cheese) and sweet (apples, maple syrup, and powdered sugar), makes a delicious side for any meal—or an all-in-one breakfast casserole. The recipe comes to us courtesy of Kentucky Cooks: Favorite Recipes from Kentucky Living by Linda Allison-Lewis, a 232-page, hardcover book from University Press of Kentucky. (Note: If you can’t tell from the ingredients, this isn’t exactly a healthy dish. Make this as a special treat!)

Bacon, Cheddar, and Apple Bake

• 3 medium apples, peeled and sliced
• 2 tablespoons sugar
• 2 cups shredded sharp Cheddar cheese
• 1 pound bacon, crisply fried and crumbled
• 2 cups flour
• 3 tablespoons baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 2 cups milk
• 5 eggs
• Maple syrup for topping
• Powdered sugar for topping

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Mix apples and sugar. Arrange in rows on an ungreased 9 x 13-inch baking pan. Cover apples with cheese and sprinkle with bacon. Mix remaining ingredients and pour over apples. Bake uncovered for 30 minutes. Serve immediately with maple syrup and powdered sugar for topping.

Yield: 8 servings