Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F. This ensures the oven is at the right temperature to create a perfectly crispy crust.
In a large bowl, combine the sliced apples, flour, maple syrup, apple pie spice, lemon zest, and one-third of the cheddar cheese. Stir everything together until the apples are well coated. Set aside for a moment to allow the flavors to mingle.
Next, roll out the refrigerated pie crust on a piece of parchment paper. Aim for a circle about 9 inches in diameter. This will be the base for your galette.
Transfer the rolled dough onto a baking sheet. Carefully add the apple mixture to the center, leaving about 2 to 3 inches of dough around the edges.
Now comes the fun part: folding the edges of the dough over the apple mixture. Start with one edge and fold it over the filling, then continue folding in a pleat-like manner around the galette. This creates a beautiful rustic look.
Brush the exposed edges of the crust with heavy cream to give it a lovely golden color as it bakes.
Place the galette in the preheated oven and bake for 30 minutes. At this point, your kitchen will start to smell heavenly!
After 30 minutes, remove the galette from the oven and sprinkle the remaining cheddar cheese on top. Return it to the oven and bake for an additional 15 minutes, until the crust is golden and the cheese is bubbling.
Once baked, let the galette cool for at least 15 minutes. This will help set the juices, making it easier to slice.
