Cheddar Crunch Apple Squares

As a student I worked as a waitress - living in the South, cheddar cheese on apple pie was not a common thing, and every time a customer would order it, I would think "Freak!" When I got older, I got more adventurous and tried it - and hey! It's pretty good! This recipe came to me in a newsletter from the Wisconsin cheese board.

• Ready In: 1 hr
• Serves: 24

Ingredients

• 1 (12 ounce) box  vanilla wafers (or 3 1/3 cups vanilla wafer crumbs)
• 1 1⁄2 cups flaked coconut
• 1⁄2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 1⁄2 cups  shredded cheddar cheese
• 1⁄4 lb salted butter, softened
• 2 (21 ounce) cans  apple pie filling
•  cinnamon ice cream or   warmed honey, to serve

Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
2. Make the vanilla wafer crumbs in a food processor or with a rolling pin and combine with the coconut, cinnamon, cheese, and butter to form a crumbly mixture. Press half of this mixture firmly into the bottom of a greased 13 x 9-inch inch baking pan.
3. Spread the apple pie filling on top of the bottom crust. Top with the remaining crumb mixture; do not press down.
4. Bake for about 40 minutes or until golden brown. Remove from the oven and place the pan on a wire rack. Place the rack in the refrigerator to cool completely.
5. To serve, cut into 2-inch squares. Serve with the ice cream or warmed honey.