Bavarian Apple Tart

Moist, sweet apples are nestled in a cream cheese layer atop a sweet crust.

Crust Ingredients:
1 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 cup butter, softened
1/3 cup sugar
1/4 teaspoon vanilla

Filling Ingredients:
1/2 cup sugar
2 (8-ounce) packages cream cheese, softened
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla
4 medium (4 cups) tart cooking apples, peeled, sliced 1/4"
1/3 cup sugar
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
Dash ground cardamom
1/4 cup sliced almonds

Heat oven to 375°F. Combine all crust ingredients in small bowl. Beat at medium speed, scraping bowl often, until dough leaves sides of bowl and forms a ball. Press onto bottom of 10-inch springform pan with lightly floured hands.

Combine 1/2 cup sugar, cream cheese, eggs and 1 teaspoon vanilla in same small bowl. Beat at medium speed, scraping bowl often, until smooth. Spread mixture over crust.

Place apples in large bowl. Sprinkle with 1/3 cup sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg and cardamom; toss to coat. Arrange apples over filling.

Bake for 40 to 50 minutes or until apples are fork tender. Sprinkle with almonds; continue baking for 5 to 10 minutes or until almonds are lightly browned. Cool completely.

Yield: 12 servings
From: Land O' Lakes website