Simple and easy holiday recipes

Mikkel Vang

Maria Bello's Bavarian Cranberry Apple Torte

Crust Ingredients:
•1 cup unsalted butter
•2/3 cup sugar
•1/2 tsp vanilla extract
•2 cups all-purpose flour
•1/2 cup raspberry jam

Crust Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 450°F.
2. Cream butter, sugar, and vanilla. Blend in flour to form a ball.
3. Press dough onto bottom and about 2 inches up sides of a 9-inch springform pan.
4. Spread with a thin layer of raspberry jam.
5. Refrigerate crust while preparing filling.

Filling Ingredients:
•16 oz. cream cheese
•1/2 cup sugar
•2 eggs
•1 tsp vanilla extract

Filling Directions:
1. Combine cream cheese and sugar. Add eggs and vanilla; mix well.
2. Pour over jam-covered crust.

Topping Ingredients:
•4 cups peeled, cored, and sliced apples, from about 6 medium apples •1/2 cup dried cranberries
•1/3 cup sugar
•1/2 tsp cinnamon
•1/2 cup sliced almonds

Topping Directions:
1. Toss apples and cranberries with sugar and cinnamon; spoon over cream cheese layer and sprinkle with almonds.

Final Steps:
1. Bake torte at 450°F for 10 minutes; with torte still in oven, lower heat to 400°F and bake for 40 additional minutes.
2. Chill in refrigerator for at least 1 hour to firm up filling.
3. Use a thin knife to carefully loosen torte from sides of pan and remove. Transfer to a serving plate and enjoy!

Serves 6-8