Apple Kuchen

Ingredients

APPLES

• 3 cups apples, peeled and chopped
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon nutmeg
• 2 tablespoons lemon rind
• 1/3 cup rum
• 2 cups sliced almonds
• 1-2 tablespoon flour

BASE

• 1 cup flour
• 1/3 cup sugar
• 1/3 cup butter or margarine
• 1/2 teaspoon cardamom

FILLING

• 1 1/4 lbs ricotta cheese
• 1/3 cup sugar
• 1 tablespoon flour
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 2 teaspoons vanilla
• 2 eggs

GLAZE

• 8 ounces apple jelly
• 1/2 teaspoon ginger

Directions

1. 1

   APPLES: In a saucepan, combine apples, 1/2 cup sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, 2 tablespoons lemon juice, rum and 1 cup sliced almonds. Cook over medium heat until apples are soft but not saucy. Add 1 tablespoons of flour; mix well. Add another tablespoons of flour if liquid is present. Set aside.

2. 2

   BASE: In a bowl, combine 1 cup flour, and 1/2 cup sugar. Cut in butter with a pastry blender or two knives, until small crumbs form. Sprinkle on cardamom. Lightly pat mixture into a well-greased 10-inch springform pan.

3. 3

   FILLING: In a mixer, combine ricotta cheese, 1/2 cup sugar, 1 tablespoons flour and 1 tablespoons lemon juice. Beat until smooth. Stir in vanilla. Add eggs, one at a time; beat well. Pour evenly onto base.

4. 4

   Spoon apple mixture over filling; sprinkle with remaining almonds. Bake in 475F oven for 15 minutes. Reduce heat ot 350F and bake for another 30-40 minutes, until golden brown and firm. Cool in pan for 30 minutes.

5. 5

   GLAZE: Heat apple jelly until bubbles form (about 1 minute on high in microwave). Add ginger; mix well. Cool and pour over cooled cake while still warm in the pan. Allow to set for 20 minutes before removing the ring.