Apple Cheesecake

This is such a pretty cheesecake. Golden baked apple slices, cinnamon, and sugar on top. YUMMY!!! 4 hour chill time. Note: 3/29/06 I have adjusted the cooking time on this recipe from 400 to 325. I can't find my orginal recipe so I hope this helps. Feel free to ask me anything.

• Ready In: 1 hr 25 mins
• Serves: 12

Ingredients

• 1⁄3 cup sugar
• 1⁄3 cup margarine or 1⁄3 cup butter
• 1  tablespoon shortening
• 1⁄4 teaspoon vanilla
• 1  cup all-purpose flour
• 1⁄8 teaspoon salt
• 4  cups  peeled cored and sliced cooking apples (such as Granny Smith or Golden Delicious)
• 2 (8 ounce) packages cream cheese, softened
• 1⁄2 cup sugar
• 1⁄2 teaspoon vanilla
• 2  large eggs
• 1  teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1⁄4 cup  sliced almonds
• 1⁄3 cup sugar

Directions

1. In a medium mixing bowl beat the 1/3 cup sugar, margarine or butter, shortening, and 1/4 teaspoon vanilla on medium speed until combined.
2. Blend in flour and salt until crumbly.
3. Pat onto the bottom of a 9-inch springform pan.
4. Set aside.
5. Place apple slices in a single layer in a shallow baking pan.
6. Cover with foil.
7. Bake in a 400 degree F.
8. oven for 15 minutes.
9. Meanwhile, for filling, in a large mixing bowl beat the cream cheese, the 1/2 cup sugar, and the 1/2 teaspoon vanilla until fluffy.
10. Add the eggs, beating on low speed just until combined.
11. Pour into dough-lined pan.
12. Arrange warm apple slices atop filling.
13. Combine the 1/3 cup sugar and the cinnamon.
14. Sprinkle filling with sugar mixture and the almonds.
15. Bake in a 400 degree F oven for 40 minutes or until golden and filling is set; cool.
16. Remove sides and place cheesecake on a serving plate.
17. Cover; chill 4 to 24 hours before serving.