Apple or Peach Torte

© 1991 "From Ellie's Kitchen to Yours"

Crust:
1 C butter or margarine
2/3 C sugar
1 tsp vanilla
2 C flour

Filling:
8 oz cream cheese, softened
1/4 C sugar
1 tsp vanilla
1 egg

Topping:
4 C apples or peaches, peeled and sliced
1/3 C sugar
1 tsp cinnamon
Lemon juice

Glaze:
Apricot jam (approximately 1/2 C)

Cream butter or margarine with sugar until fluffy. Add vanilla and flour and mix until well blended. Press into bottom and a little way up the sides of a 9-inch springform pan. Cream filling ingredients together and pour into crust. Drizzle lemon juice over fruit and then mix fruit with sugar and cinnamon. Arrange apples or peaches attractively on top of filling. Bake at 350° for about 1 hour, or until golden. Glaze with apricot jam that has been melted and strained. Chill for a few hours. Remove from the refrigerator about 30 minutes before serving.

Hint: This is a very fancy looking dessert that is easy to prepare. It is delicious with either apples or peaches or a combination. I like to make it in late summer or early fall when these fruits are at their peak. You can peel peaches by dropping them into boiling water for about 40 to 60 seconds. Remove with a slotted spoon and place in cold water for the same length of time. Then remove skin with a sharp paring knife. This technique can also be used to peel tomatoes.