Apple-Cream Party Tart

Sweet Crust

• 1/2 cup butter, at room temperature
• 1/3 cup granulated sugar
• 1/4 teaspoon vanilla
• 1 cup all-purpose flour

Topping

• 4 cups apple, peeled and thinly sliced, 3-4 large apples
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/2 cup almond, sliced, slivered (optional) or chopped pecan (optional)

Filling

• 2 (250 g) packages cream cheese, at room temperature (regular or light)
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1 egg
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla

Directions

1. 1

   Preheat oven to 450°F.

2. 2

   Crust:.

3. 3

   Beat butter with sugar and vanilla, then use a fork to stir in flour till crumbly.

4. 4

   Pat evenly in bottom of 9" springform pan.

5. 5

   Topping:.

6. 6

   Mix apples with sugar and cinnamon, toss well, and set aside.

7. 7

   Filling:.

8. 8

   Beat cream cheese, sugar, vanilla and egg with a wooden spoon until smooth. Pour filling into crust and cover with apples.

9. 9

   Sprinkle with nuts if using.

10. 10

    Apples can be arranged in a pattern or just spread evenly to cover filling.

11. 11

    Place on center rack of preheated oven, immediately reduce heat to 400F and bake until apples are just tender - about 35 minutes. If nuts brown before apples are cooked, cover loosely with foil.

12. 12

    Cool on rack, serve right away or cover and refrigerate for up to one day.