APPLE CHEESE TORTE

Friend Bernie made this absolutely delightful Apple Cheese Torte for the Tasty Bunch last Saturday night. After going out for dinner, we all gathered at Bernie and John's for dessert. It is a recipe she saved from a Gourmet Group she was a member of when they lived in Wichita, KS. a number of years ago. She told me she was so glad that she had kept the recipe.  (All of us were also.) She also said she used a 9 - inch springform pan and doubled the cream cheese filling portion.

APPLE CHEESE TORTE

CRUST:  

1        cup butter
1/2     teaspoon vanilla
2/3     cup sugar (Bernie used stevia)
2        cups flour

Cream the butter and sugar (stevia).  Add the vanilla and flour and blend well.

Press mixture into the bottom and three-fourths of the way up the sides of an 8 - 9 inch springform pan. (Bernie used a 9 - inch pan.)

FILLING:

1        8 - oz package cream cheese
1        egg
1/4     cup sugar (or stevia)
1        teaspoon vanilla

5 to 6 apples, peeled and thinly sliced
1/3     cup sugar (stevia)
1        teaspoon cinnamon
lemon juice

1/4     cup sliced almonds

Preheat oven to 450 degrees F.

Beat cream cheese, 1/4 cup sugar (stevia), vanilla, and egg.

Pour over crust.

Combine sliced apples with 1/3 cup sugar (stevia), cinnamon, and a little lemon juice.  Mix well.

Pour apple mixture over top of cheese mixture and sprinkle with sliced almonds.

Using a spoon, push the crust down on sides even with apples.

Bake for 10 minutes, then lower oven temperature to 400 degrees and bake for 25 minutes.

Serve warm or refrigerated.