Bavarian Apple Bars

Name: Bavarian Apple Bars
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 50 min
Total time: 1 h 20 min
Yield: 2 dozen.
Ingredients: 1 cup butter, softened; 2/3 cup sugar; 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract; 2 cups all-purpose flour; FILLING:; 2 packages (8 ounces each) cream cheese, softened; 1/2 cup plus 2/3 cup sugar, divided; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; 2 eggs; 8 cups thinly sliced peeled Golden Delicious or Fuji apples (about 8 medium); 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon; 1/2 cup slivered almonds

I first tasted these bars while volunteering in the kitchen at Christian camp. My husband and I were engaged at the time, and since his favorite desserts are apple pie and cheesecake, I knew the recipe needed to come home with me!—Crystal Stanley, Anchor, Illinois

Ingredients

1 cup butter, softened
2/3 cup sugar
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 cups all-purpose flour
FILLING:
2 packages (8 ounces each) cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup plus 2/3 cup sugar, divided
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 eggs
8 cups thinly sliced peeled Golden Delicious or Fuji apples (about 8 medium)
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 cup slivered almonds

Directions

Preheat oven to 375°. In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in vanilla. Gradually beat in flour. Press onto bottom and 1 in. up sides of a greased 13x9-in. baking pan.
For filling, in a large bowl, beat cream cheese and 1/2 cup sugar until smooth. Beat in vanilla. Add eggs; beat on low speed just until blended. Pour into crust.
In a large bowl, toss apples with cinnamon and remaining sugar. Arrange over cream cheese layer; sprinkle with almonds. Bake 50-60 minutes or until cream cheese layer is set and edges of crust are golden brown.
Cool in pan on a wire rack 1 hour. Refrigerate at least 2 hours. Cut into bars.

Originally published as Bavarian Apple Bars in Holiday & Celebrations Cookbook 2014

Reviews

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Caoimheandme

Oct 5, 2014

These bars are fabulous. I lived in Munich for a while and they are so like the delicious pastries I enjoyed there. Everyone who has tried them (and there are a lot) has thought they are terrific. Thank you for sharing.