#3717 - Fresh Apple Torte

(by Shirley McNevich)

(this recipe is for Dec. 26th)

Crust: 1/2 cup butter; 1/3 cup white sugar; 1/4 tsp. vanilla; 1 cup flour

Batter: 1 - 8oz. Philadelphia cream cheese (softened); 1/4 cup white sugar; 1 egg; 1/2 tsp. vanilla

Apples: 6 baking apples (washed, peeled cored and sliced THIN); 1/3 cup white sugar; 1/2 tsp. cinnamon

Crust: in a mixer add 1/2 cup softened butter, 1/3 cup white sugar, 1/4 tsp. vanilla and 1 cup flour--beat well. Press the crust mixture into the bottom of a greased 9" springform cheesecake pan. In a mixer add cream cheese--beat. Add 1/4 cup white sugar, 1 egg and 1/2 tsp. vanilla--beat until smooth. Pour the cream cheese mixture evenly over the crust. In a bowl 1/3 cup white sugar and 1/2 tsp. cinnamon--mix well. In a large bowl add apple slices--sprinkle the cinnamon mixture over the apples--toss to coat. Spread the apple slices over the cheese mixture. Bake at 450 degrees for 10 minutes, then WITHOUT OPENING THE OVEN DOOR reduce heat to 400 degrees and bake 25-35 minutes longer or until apples are tender. Cool completely.