Bavarian Apple Torte

Divaconviva's Note:

I entered this dessert at my church's Harvest Fest Pie Bakeoff, and the judges created a category right there and then just for this torte so they could give it a blue ribbon! My friend, Nancy, shared this recipe with me. For such an elegant presentation, it's very easy to make. In this version, you don't even need to mix the apples before putting them on the filling.

• Total Time: 1 hrs 20 mins
• Prep Time: 20 mins
• Cook Time: 1 hrs

Ingredients:

Servings: 8

CRUST

• 1/2 cup unsalted butter (1 Stick)
• 1/3 cup sugar
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 1 cup flour

FILLING

• 8 ounces cream cheese (1 Package)
• 1/3 cup sugar
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 1/4 teaspoon almond extract
• 1 egg

APPLE LAYER

• 2 -3 apples, any kind
• 2 tablespoons sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon grated fresh nutmeg

TOPPING

• 1/2 cup toasted sliced almonds

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Grease 9-inch pie pan with Crisco.
3. CRUST: Mix together Butter, 1/3 Cup Sugar, 1 Teaspoon Vanilla Extract, 1 Cup Flour. Press into pie pan evenly across bottom and up the sides.
4. FILLING: Mix until creamy: 8 ounces Cream Cheese, 1/3 Cup Sugar, 1 Teaspoon Pure Vanilla Extract, 1/4 teaspoon Pure Almond Extract, 1 Egg. Pour into the crust.
5. APPLE LAYER: Peel, core and thinly slice Apples. Arrange over cream cheese mixture.
6. Mix together 2 Tablespoons Sugar with 1/2 Teaspoon Cinnamon, 1/4 Teaspoon Fresh Grated Nutmeg and sprinkle over apples.
7. TOPPING: 1/2 Cup Sliced Toasted Almonds.
8. Bake at 350 degrees for 1 hour.
9. Cool and refrigerate.
10. Hint #1: I purchase almonds already sliced, and simply toast them in a non-stick skillet at medium-high heat until fragrant and just starting to turn golden, just 2 or 3 minutes.
11. Hint #2; Have all ingredients at room temperature, and make the recipe in the order as written, saving the apple-peeling until just before you sprinkle on the almonds.
12. Hint #3: Use real vanilla extract, not vanilla flavor. It makes a big difference in the quality of flavor.

Reviews

[Nanna D]

This recipe is a real winner! Guests raved about it and some asked for second servings. Will be among my favourites.

[Chef Dame]

So easy to make and wonderful. I didnt use the almonds or almond extract so I just used extra vanilla because I didnt have any at the time,but it still turned out fine, and I only needed one apple. It had a nice smooth texture which I found great.

[scancan]

This picture made this cake look so mouthwatering that I had to try it but I had quite a few problems with it. The crust was mushy and I felt that with some baking powder I would have used that as the top layer instead and the apples would have gone on the bottom; this way it would be more like a coffee cake and would have been much better. I also did not care for the taste of the almond extract in this so if I were to make this again I would just use vanilla or lemon extract which would make it like a cheesecake filling. Overall, I think it was great to play around and create your own recipe but it just did not work for me as is, sorry.