Bavarian Apple Torte

do you have a cookbook that is your "go-to" when you need a great yet easy recipe? this even more special cookbook is mine. every recipe i have tried ends up tasting amazing. it's actually a jessop family favorite. AJ first discovered it and it was quickly passed on to almost all the women in the family. it's described as a great regional cookbook from the junior league of durham and orange counties in north carolina. some tried and true recipes include: strawberry spinach salad, broccoli-stuffed tomatoes, marinated pork tenderloin, and now bavarian apple torte. my cookbook looks very worn and well loved lots of bookmarks and dog-eared pages - a true sign of a gem.

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this recipe is a tried and true recipe for AJ but it's the first time i had ever made it. it was so easy yet so good. it reminds me why i love this cookbook so much. unfortunately, it is now out of print and very hard to find. i found a copy a couple of years ago on amazon. often they have used copies for sale.

so back to the apple torte. the cream is the perfect compliment to tart apples and the buttery crust has just a hint of sweetness. we drastically reduced the amount of sugar in this recipe and it tasted perfect. i think if all the sugar was used it would taste way too sweet. it seems most recipes call for too much sugar. 99% of the time i reduce the sugar in baked goods and they turn out just fine. just don't let domino sugar know. they may hunt me down.

we actually had this for breakfast with some eggs topped with extra sharp cheddar. just one word - mouthwatering. i can't wait to make this again. it's the perfect fall dessert that will taste just as good the next morning. i promise.

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Bavarian Apple Torte
8-10 servings
(adapted from even more special cookbook)

crust:
1/2 cup butter, room temperature
3 tbs sugar
1/4 tsp vanilla extract
1 cup whole wheat pastry flour

filling:
8 oz cream cheese, room temperature
1/8 cup agave nectar
1 egg
1/2 tsp vanilla extract

topping:
4 cups apples, peeled, cored and thinly sliced
2 tbs cinnamon sugar (1 1/2 tbs sugar + 1/2 tbs cinnamon)

preheat oven to 450 degrees F. combine butter, sugar, vanilla, and flour. stir together until combined. press into bottom of greased 9" spring form pan. press so crust comes up about an inch on sides.

cream together cream cheese and agave. add egg and extract and pour over crust. spread so it evenly covers crust. arrange apples over filling and sprinkle apples with cinnamon sugar.

bake for 10 minutes. reduce heat to 400 degrees F and bake for 20-25 more minutes. cool completely before removing from pan. enjoy at room temperature or chilled.