Apple Danish Cheesecake

Apple season is here again and I am dying to try this recipe! It just begs to be baked on a cool fall afternoon, filling the kitchen with those yummy, warm, cinnamon-apple smells! It comes from a Taste of Home Cookbook -- "Contest Winning Annual Recipes 2004”.

• Ready In: 1 hr 35 mins
• Serves: 8

Ingredients

• CRUST

• 1  cup flour
• 1⁄2 cup  ground almonds
• 1⁄4 cup sugar
• 1⁄2 cup  cold butter
• 1⁄4 teaspoon  almond extract

• FILLING

• 1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened
• 1⁄4 cup sugar
• 1⁄4 teaspoon cream of tartar
• 1  egg

• TOPPING

• 1⁄3 cup brown sugar
• 1  tablespoon flour
• 1  teaspoon cinnamon
• 4  cups  thinly sliced peeled apples
• 1⁄3 cup  slivered almonds

Directions

1. For crust, combine flour, ground almonds, and sugar.
2. Cut in butter until crumbly.
3. Add extract.
4. Shape dough into a ball and place between 2 sheets of waxed paper.
5. Roll dough into a 10 inch circle and transfer to a greased 9 inch springform pan.
6. Press the dough gently around bottom and up sides of pan.
7. Refrigerate for 30 minutes.
8. FILLING:
9. Beat cream cheese, sugar, and cream of tartar until smooth.
10. Add the egg and beat on low until combined.
11. Pour over crust.
12. TOPPING:
13. Combine brown sugar, flour, and cinnamon.
14. Add apples and stir until combined.
15. Spoon apples over filling and sprinkle with the slivered almonds.
16. Bake at 350°F for 40-45 minutes.
17. Cool on wire rack for 10 minutes.
18. Run knife around edge of pan to loosen and cool for another hour.
19. Refrigerate overnight, and then remove sides of pan.