An apple of a day

I still had about 20 pounds of apples left to eat, bake with, give away, or to preserve left in a ginormous box in my refrigerator. I was desperately in need of the extra fridge space and to use up those apples before they spoiled.


Since the apple pie filling I canned weeks ago is almost gone I decided to can another batch and with the remaining apples I made a Bavarian Apple Torte with fresh Caramel Cream and Spiced Nuts.

For the Bavarian Apple Torte I used this fabulous recipe given to me by my Aunt Cathy - she is the most wonderful cook.

Crust:
1/2 cup butter, softened
1/3 cup sugar
1/4 tsp vanilla
1 cup flour

Cream together the butter, sugar and vanilla.
Blend in flour.
Spread dough onto bottom up about 1-1/2" of the sides of 9" spring form pan. (dough will be tacky - it is best to use your hands)

Filling:
1 - 8 oz cream cheese, softened
1/4 cup sugar
1 egg
1/2 tsp vanilla

Beat together cream cheese and sugar until well combined.
Add egg and vanilla. Pour into pastry lined pan.

Topping:
1/3 cup sugar
1/2 tsp cinnamon
4 cups apples, cored, peeled, and thinly sliced
1/4 cup nuts

Combine sugar and cinnamon. Toss in apples until evenly coated.
Spoon apple mixture over cream cheese layer.
Sprinkle with nuts.

Bake at 450 degrees for 10 minutes.
Reduce heat to 400 degrees and continue baking for an additional 25 minutes.
Let cool before removing rim of pan.