Apple-Raisin Noodle Bake

This recipe is one of my all-time favorites!:)

• Ready In: 2 hrs
• Serves: 8

Ingredients

• 1  lb  wide egg noodles (must be egg noodles!)
• 2  teaspoons salt
• 6  tablespoons butter or 6  tablespoons margarine
• 2 (8 ounce) packages cream cheese, softened
• 1  cup white sugar (or to taste)
• 2  cups cottage cheese
• 1  pint sour cream
• 6  eggs, SEPARATED
• 1  cup raisins
• 3  teaspoons cinnamon
• 1 1⁄2 cups apples, peeled, chopped (or sliced)
• 1⁄3 cup butter, softened (for topping)
• 1⁄4-1⁄3 cup dark brown sugar (for topping)

Directions

1. Set oven to 350 degrees F.
2. Butter a 13 x 9-inch baking dish.
3. Cook noodles with 2 teaspoons salt in boiling water; drain very well, and toss with 6 tablespoons butter in a large bowl while still warm.
4. In a mixer bowl, beat the cream cheese and 1 cup sugar (or to taste) until light.
5. Add in the cottage cheese and sour cream; mix well.
6. In a separate bowl, beat the egg yolks well; add to the cream mixture with the cinnamon; mix well.
7. Pour this mixture over the egg noodles in the bowl; mix to combine.
8. Mix in the chopped (or sliced) apples and raisins; mix well.
9. In a bowl beat the 6 egg whites until stiff; with a spatula, fold the egg whites into the noodle mixture.
10. Pour into prepared baking dish.
11. Bake for 45 minutes.
12. While casserole is baking: in a small bowl, mix together the 1/3 cup butter and 1/4-1/3 cup brown sugar.
13. After 45 minutes of baking, remove the casserole, and sprinkle the butter/brown sugar mix over top of casserole.
14. Return to oven and bake another 45 minutes (1-1/2 hours in all).