A lovely dough made with ground almonds is pressed into the bottom and sides of a spring-form pan. A cream cheese filling is then poured over the crust, and topped with a heap of sugared and spiced apples. Top with a sprinkling of slivered almonds and it
INGREDIENTS (for 8 servings):
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup ground almonds
- 1/4 cup white sugar
- 1/2 cup butter, chilled
- 1/4 teaspoon almond extract
- 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 1/4 cup white sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar
- 1 egg
- 1/3 cup packed brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 4 cups thinly sliced apples
- 1/3 cup blanched slivered almonds
PREPARATION:
To make dough: in a small bowl, combine I cup flour, 1/2 cup ground almonds, and 1/4 cup sugar; cut in butter until crumbly. Add extract. Shape dough into a ball, gently press dough against the bottom and up the sides of a 9-inch springform or cake pan. Refrigerate for 30 minutes.
To make filling: in a medium-sized mixing bowl, beat cream cheese, 1/4 cup sugar, and cream of tartar until smooth. Add egg; beat on low just until combined. Pour over crust.
To make topping: in another medium-sized bowl, combine brown sugar, 1 tablespoon flour, and cinnamon. Add apples and stir until coated. Spoon over the filling. Sprinkle with 1/3 cup slivered almonds.
Bake at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for 40-45 minutes or until golden brown. Cool on a wire rack for 10 minutes. Carefully run a knife around edge of pan to loosen; cool 1 hour longer. Refrigerate overnight. Remove from pan.