Spring Time = Cake Pop Time!

Spring has been desperately trying to force it's way into my neighborhood lately. You would never know if you looked at a weather forecast, but the sun has managed to poke through at least once a day, the past two days, and with it, my energy is increasing! You won't find me running marathons, but I have been accomplishing more in my evenings. I even tackled cake pops again! 

You'll recall I last made cake pops over a year ago. They were cute. They were also a ton of work.

When bf got me Bakerella's book for Christmas, I was genuinely excited to try them again. For a little while anyway. Then, work and life and all-around-being-lazy-with-my-free-time set in. For the past three months, I've flipped through the book, awed by the cool creations, yet daunted by the work. 

Until this week. 

With a little help from bf, I whipped up a partial batch of Cupcake Bites (think Cake Pop, without the stick) for my Girl Guides. You can find Bakerella's directions here.

Not bad for only my second try, if I do say so myself!

I wanted a Girl Guide theme, so I used blue and white M&M's with sprinkle stems to make a trefoil.

I made a special one for bf. Can you find it? 

He deserved a thank you kiss for his epic cake-baking skills. Funny, he also picked up this jar of icing for me... 

Some of Bakerella's tips that really helped this time around:

• Make a small batch. It's manageable and more fun. BF made 2 batches of cake mix, so I had an extra-thick cake. I used 3/8 of the cake and made 18 bites. Mine were on the slightly large side, so you can estimate 1/4 cake = 12 bites/pops.
• Use cake mix and pre-made icing. I NEVER use store-bought mixes, but it was just downright easier.
• Use lots of candy melts. Last time, I didn't have enough and I had trouble dipping. You can always save extra and reuse later.
• Wash and dry your hands often while rolling the balls. They stay together nicer.
• Have everything set out before you start. Isn't this the golden rule in the kitchen? It's necessary for cake pops/bites. Once the candy is melted, you want to dip. Once you dip, it dries fast. Your M&M's and sprinkles have to go on right away or the candy will be hard.

One day later... only one little guy left! YUM!

Wreathed Up With You (and a random recipe)

Check these out! After seeing my wreath, a co-worker was inspired to create her own beautiful creation. And not just one, but two!

 She sent me these photos, and I had to share them with you. Aren't they beautiful?!

LOVE them!!

On a completely separate note, I've been trying to find THE recipe for cabbage & ramen noodle (aka Mr. Noodles) salad. Poor bf has been eating cabbage salad every night for dinner, but I finally found the right recipe tonight here. Actually, I should clarify, I was looking for the right dressing. The salad is pretty standard - cabbage, sunflower seeds and/or almonds, and Mr. Noodles. The key to the dressing is found in one of the comments on the recipe - rice wine vinegar and sesame oil and not too much sugar (you can always add more). YUM! Bf cleaned out the bowl!!

Tomato Canning Adventures Continue!

Admittedly, this post should be about my craft room reno, but we have reached a stalemate with the spikes, and my travel schedule the past 2 weeks. When I have had time at home, I've spent it experimenting with more canning recipes... all with tomatoes.

After my first adventure, I was committed to putting my new canner to more use. Not only that, but I was a little disappointed with the result; 3 cans of tomato sauce was NOT going to last the winter!

After a week of sunny weather, the tomatoes left in my garden still had not ripened, so I purchased half a bushel of roma tomatoes from a local farm market for $8. I immediately whipped up a batch of tomato sauce, using the same recipe as last time. My home once again filled with the sweet aroma of boiled tomatoes, cinnamon and nutmeg. A few hours later, and I had several quart jars of sauce.

A few days later, with the remaining tomatoes quickly being devoured by time and my cat (she ate at least a quart), I decided to try my own salsa. I know salsa is easy to make, but having never tried a canned salsa before, I wasn't sure how many jalepenos or hot peppers to use. Bf and I had picked up fresh, Ontario hot peppers when we bought the tomatoes, and now I had five at my disposal. Hold your giggle; I didn't use all 5! I snipped the tip off one, and deciding it was pleasantly warm, chopped it up and threw it in. A few slices of pickled jalepeno and my home was beginning to smell like the local Mexican cafe we love.

I cruised around the internet and ended up with a combination recipe from several websites.

Savvy Homegirl's Salsa Recipe
10lbs (approx) tomatoes
2 C green peppers
3 large onions
1 hot pepper
3 slices of jalepeno
3 Tbsp salt
1 Tbsp pepper
1 Tbsp chile pepper
5 garlic cloves minced or pressed
3/4 C vinegar

Boil the tomatoes until the skins split, then submerse in cold water and remove the skins. Puree half the tomatoes in a blender and heat in large stock pot on the stove. Chop remainder of tomatoes into quarters, sixths or eights depending on size. Finely chop remaining veggies, press garlic and add all veggies and spices to the pot. Add vinegar, stir and bring pot to a boil.

I know I could've got away without using my canner to seal my salsa jars, however the canner worked well to sterilize my jars before filling them. Especially since it seemed like I started the salsa while my dishwasher was mid-wash, and I had not thought to put the jars in it.

The result? 14 jars of salsa with just enough heat to spice up your nachos, but not enough to make you sweat. I also had just enough tomatoes left for a pot of homemade tomato soup. Paired with Sobey's new Swiss Multigrain Bread, and you have a scrumptious fall lunch!

Savvy Homegirl's Canning Adventure - Tomato Sauce

From the very begginning of spring, I planned to make tomato sauce with my garden tomatos. I love homemade tomato sauce, and putting this away for winter only made sense.

Since I've never canned, I checked out some recipes recommended for doing so. Secretly, I thought I'd be making a grand Bolognese, until I read it's better to limit the recipe to tomatos and spices, because other vegetables will alter the pH. I experimented with a few recipes, making a few small batches, before finding this super yummy recipe at Canadian Gardening.

It makes a HUGE batch, and I didn't have near enough tomatoes for the full recipe. I ended up quartering it, using fresh basil and parsley, and it turned out absolutely delish. I cooked the sauce on Sunday then put it in the fridge to can this week.

Despite getting home late from work, I was determined to can the sauce last night. Like I said, it wasn't a huge batch, and I only had about 3-4 pint jars worth to do. I didn't own a canner, but I thought for small jars, I could likely get away with using a stockpot on my stove.

This is where I wished had learned by now to do my research BEFORE I start a project, instead of simultaneously. With the sauce reheating reheated on the stove, my lids sitting in hot water in the sink and jars hot in the dishwasher, I turned my stockpot water on to boil and prepared to spoon my sauce into my jars.

Then I realized it. I didn't have a rack to keep the jars off the bottom of the pot. Did this matter? Do I need a rack? What if the jars sit on the bottom? I couldn't find a website advising a rack WASN'T needed, and I couldn't find anything to substitute for a rack. Panic set in. I turned all the burners off, grabbed my keys and headed to the only place I could think of that would have a rack at 9:30 PM. Wal-Mart. ick.

The whole drive to the store and back, a little voice repeatedly told me how stupid it was that I didn't do more research on this BEFORE starting the process (for a second time). Planning to just by a rack that could sit in the bottom of my pot, I ended up with an entire canner. At $16.97, I decided to go for it.

Arriving back home, I poured 4 inches of water in my new canner, put the glass jars back in hot water, pulled one out, dropped a 1 Tbsp of lemon juice in the jar and started spooning in the tomato sauce. At that point, I began questioning my IQ for a second time. The 'pop lids' were too big. I bought the size too big. I bought them Sunday! Why didn't I check this out before tonight?!

Thoroughly defeated, I put an old lid on one of the jars and put it in the freezer. I poured the remainder of the sauce back in my bowl and returned the bowl to the fridge. So now I have enough for 2 bottles of sauce. Yes, TWO. I bought a canner for 2 jars of tomato sauce. They're not even quart jars, they're pints. I think I'm going to have to make a lot more tomato sauce to justify this purchase.

Especially, since my mom told me after I could've heated up my jars, poured the hot sauce into them, put the seal on and it would've sealed on its own. Of course, your seals have to fit first... All my research also said NOT to do this, because you always run the risk of the jars spoiling if they're not sterilized or the food isn't hot enough.

So, for the second night in a row, I put my sauce back on the stove tonight to heat up. It was overkill, but I put the water canner on also, heated my jars in hot water in the sink, poured in my sauce, put the lids on and put them in the canner. They sealed in ten minutes. 2 jars in a 6-jar canner is totally overkill, but all in all, it was a good practice run for a bigger batch next time.

First Garden Harvest of 2010 - Spinach!

Weeks of hot weather and ample rain has resulted in, albeit a weedy, but still very healthy-looking garden over at my house!

My tomatoes are huge and have resisted the bugs pretty well so far. A former boss was a tomoto farmer, and he once told me to clip off the bottom branches and the plant will focus on making more tomatos. I've been following his advice, and I'm looking forward to lots of flower buds soon! My cherry tomato is already full of flowers, so yummy tomatos are right around the corner!

I picked spinach for a chicken & spinach salad tonight. In fact, were it not for the avocado I threw in, my entire salad would have been Ontario-grown. Even the apricot-lemon dressing was made with local, apricot jam (an entertaining staple in my opinion). I seasoned the chicken with lemon-pepper before grilling, then tossed with spinach, tomato, mushrooms, green onion and avocado.

Normally, I would throw in seeds or cheese, but tonight I opted just for dressing and it was perfect! Give it a try if you're looking for a semi-sweet dressing for fresh greens.

Savvy's Lemon-Apricot Dressing
Serves 1. All measurements are approximate, so adjust to taste.
1 tbsp spoonful apricot jam (or jelly)
1 tsp extra-virgin olive oil
1 tsp cider vinegar
Salt & pepper
Lemon-pepper

Back to my garden. My potatos are a disappointment. Not one sprouted. I didn't expect all six to sprout, especially since a couple were "old". They had gone soft, but they still had eyes (those are the sprouts potatos grow when they're in your cupboard too long), so I thought it was worth a shot. All six rotted in the ground. Perhaps, it was too wet?

Since I have space, I may try to plant a fast-growing vegetable still, however it's getting pretty late in the season (and hot) to be planting. Anyone have any suggestions?

Seafood Chowder Attempt

Inspired by my friend and her husband, I attemped seafood chowder for the first time today.

Penny was equally excited about the prospect of scoring herself a nice piece of cod. Luckily, all she managed was a tomato and the scallop container. I swear she thinks she's a person whenever there's meat or soft-skinned fruit around.

Unable to pull something together like this from scratch with the expectation of serving it (I had the pickiest judges - my brothers), I used the recipe in the 2010 Milk Calander. My mom had dog-eared the page as a 'must try', so I did the deed for her. Using cod and scallops in our version, I also threw in tomatoes. Without lobster or crab, I think it gives the chowder some nice colour it might otherwise lack.

You can check the recipe out at My Milk Calendar 2010. And did  you know, they have every milk calendar recipe since 1974? Sounds like an excuse to purge my recipe cupboard of milk calendars!

Though I couldn't convince my brothers to finish a bowl (they are not lovers of 'strange' foods ie. anything with 'weird' smells, textures or names), my parents and I quite enjoyed the thick, steamy broth. Perfect for a cold winter day! What's your soup pick for winter?

Cookies Without White Sugar

I had such a desire to make chocolate chip cookies the other night after dinner. I pored over my cookbooks for THE ultimate chocolate chip recipe, grabbed my mixing bowl, melted my butter and WHAM! I had no white sugar! Every recipe called for white sugar!

Easily defeated, yet still completely unsatisfied, I settled onto the couch to watch Grey's Anatomy and drink my wine. When I awoke yesterday morning, the desire to make cookies was still there. Wide awake at 5:30am (an absolute first for me this fall!), I flipped through my book again and found it. A recipe without white sugar:

Oatmeal Coconut Cookies courtesy of Agnes Bregman from Bruce County!

1 small C butter (not sure how you can have a small cup.. but whatever)

1 1/2 C brown sugar (I only used 1 1/4 and you could likely get away with just one)

1 egg

1 C all-purpose flour

1 1/4 C oatmeal

3/4 C coconut

1/2 tsp baking soda

1 tsp baking powder

I added 2/3 C butterscotch chips.

Bake on greased cookie sheet or parchment paper for 7-8 minutes at 350 degrees F.

These were amazing! I took them to work and everyone raved about them. They spread out a lot when they bake, so they are these delectable, thin cookies. Be sure not to over bake and they will maintain some softness too!!

YUM!

My First Attempt at Cake Pops

WARNING - Final photo may be inappropriate for children or those without a sense of humour!

I did it! I managed to find enough time to try my own cake pops.. er, should I say 'boobie balls' as my bachelorette coined them!

Yes, it may be a little inappropriate or just downright silly, but when planning my first venture into cake pops, it was suggested I try making 'boobs'. Afterall, it would save me some time shaping the pops. Not to mention, be extra entertaining for my friend's bachelorette party!

Recently, I've been checking out some baking blogs, and I love Bakerella's cute little cake pops. I followed her instructions here. I also snapped a few pics along the way to show you how it went!

Being a bit of a Betty from time to time, I opted to bake my own chocolate cake rather than use a box. A little ironic, I was too lazy to go buy boxed mix when I had everything to make a homemade cake in my pantry already. I found a recipe in one of my IPM (International Plowing Match - like a country fair that moves from county to county each year) cookbook for "Our Favourite Chocolate Cake". It was so moist and worked really well for the cake pops.

Our Favourite Chocolate Cake - From Greenwood Court, Stratford, Ontario

2 C flour
2 C sugar
1 tsp salt
1 tsp baking powder
2 tsp baking soda
3/4 C cocoa
1 C salad oil (I used canola because I like it better than olive oil in my baking)
2 eggs
1 C hot coffee

Instructions: Mix the dry ingredients together and then add the liquid ingredients in the order of oil, milk, eggs, adding coffee last. Batter will be thin. Grease two 9" pans or a 9"x13" pan and place in preheated oven at 350 degrees for 35-40 minutes.

My favourite part of making these was definately ripping the cake up and mixing it together with the icing! Mmmm... It doesn't seem like you're eating a whole piece of cake when you're eating spoonfuls from a bowl! I used the same icing recipe that Bakerella suggests. Notice my ANCIENT mixer. This was a wedding gift my mom recieved 29 years ago! She passed it along to me when I gave her a much-needed new one last Christmas. The speeds only work intermittantly, but it still does the job!

After rolling into balls and cooling in the fridge, the cake was ready to be dipped in pink chocolate! I bought white and pink chocolate merkins, or candy wafers, from the Bulk Barn. After melting the white wafers on medium heat in the microwave (stir often to avoid burning), I added some pink and heated again to give the chocolate a pink tinge.

Here the finished cake pops, decorated with a little extra icing and butterscotch chips. They were a hit, and half the girls took home extras for their husbands and fiancés!

Refreshing Iced Tea Recipe

On a hot summer day (which we have not had enough of yet), there is nothing more refreshing, or nostalgic for me, than a tall glass of iced tea. As it seems, I share this sentiment with many others; the current poll on Homemakers.com asks for readers favourite summer drink. Thus far, Iced tea is the most popular choice, beating out beer, lemonade, slushy daiquiris and pina coladas.

Finally into the summer swing of things, I decided to whip up a batch of frozen iced tea mix this weekend. I remember my mother making big tubs and freezing them when I was growing up. Not seeing the need to add water, I used to steal the tubs and eat the mix with a spoon. It really is yummy, but I now opt for mixing it with water as it was originally intended!

Here is the recipe if you'd like to try it out for yourself! It's very easy and will last this savvy, single homegirl all summer!

Frozen Iced Tea Mix

1 24oz unsweetened lemon juice
4 C sugar (I only used 2)
1 C cold water
10 teabags (I used 8) seeped in 3 cups of boiling water

Steep tea for 10-15 minutes (or longer depending on desired strength - I think you can use fewer teabags if you steep longer also). Stir in sugar until dissolved. Add cold water and lemon juice. Freeze or refrigerate.

1 inch of mix (I tablespoon) + cup water for iced tea. I just mix to taste.

I have yet to try it yet, but I think this would be great with a shot of rum and coke for a different version of Long Island Iced Tea!

Do you have any favourite summer drinks?

The First Bounty From my Garden!

They're here - fresh veggies from my garden! After a week of rain, and somewhat warm temperatures (I'm in Ontario's 'banana belt' remember), my garden is overflowing with spinach and radishes ready to eat!

I've had fresh spinach salad everyday this week, and I brought it along to a pot luck last night also. There is something incredibly.. wholesome about going out to the garden to pick your dinner. I especially like that after quickly brushing and rinsing the remaining soil off, they're ready to eat!

My salads are usually the result of randomly selecting from the veggies, fruits, cheeses in my fridge and seeds and nuts in my pantry. For spinach in particular, try some of the following combinations.

• Strawberries, toasted almonds, mushrooms, and goat cheese with Kraft Olive Oil Fig Balsamic dressing
• Dried cranberries, blue cheese, sunflower seeds and grilled, strips of steak with Renee's Asian Sesame or Japanese Ginger dressing
• Carrots, tomatoes, ham and sliced, hard-boiled eggs with Thousand Island Dressing

I grew up eating radishes in summer. I planted them this year, because my mom always planted them in her garden. They are easy to grow, and you get a huge crop from only a small package of seed. They are a summer staple on my parents' lunch table, even if they are only ate raw with a light sprinkle of salt.

Now, as I pull basket after basket from the ground, I'm challenged to find uses for radishes in my cooking. I was surprised to find they hold up well in stir-fry. I tossed a few slices in a thai-style stir fry near the end to add a bit of kick, and they still maintained their crunchiness. Most recipes I've found, are for salads, however.

Do you have any recipes or uses for radishes? What about other summer veggies?

Yummy Snack Mix

You know when you find one of those super, awesome snacks that is so good, you can barely get your hand out of the container to put the lid back on?

I have found one (like any of us need another reason to snack?)! Struggling with the notion of baking sugar-loaded brownies or cookies for my Brownies' "Moving Up" Ceremony last night, I went searching for an alternative 'light snack'. Enter "snack mix" on All recipes.com, and there it is- the first 5-star recipe on the list- Oat Snack Mix.

It was very easy to make with ingredients you have on hand, and the substitution options are endless! I substituted the chocolate-covered raisins for regular raisins and chocolate chips, and I omitted the nuts, in case there were any nut allergies in my group. I accidentally added the cranberries before I baked the mixture, and since the mix bakes for 45 minutes to get that crunchy texture, I had some very burnt cranberries! As a result, I was very happy to have used my stone pan, which scraped clean after a good rinse. I don't want to imagine the scrubbing that would have been required on my 'nonstick' cookie sheet.

While I admit, its not exactly sugar-free, or even low-sugar, the recipe is delicious! I found myself scooping crumbles off my stone pan, even as I headed out the door to my meeting! Too tempting to leave at home, I proceeded to snack on the leftovers all day at work today! I.T. was not impressed to find the sticky honey and chocolate mess on my keyboard and mouse!!

I meant to post a picture for you, but I ate most of it on my way home this evening, so I will have to make more (if my waist will allow it!)

Good Day, Mamma E!

I wanted to write one final note today to let you know how I spent the remainder of my Earth Day.

While I am on my computer, I did leave the TV and radio off when I got home this evening. I also spent the rest of the evening flipping through a few books, including a great recipe book I borrowed from a friend on the weekend - Lunch Box: Creative Recipes for Everyday Lunches
by Marie Breton and Isabelle Emond.

I had read elsewhere you could save broccoli stalks for soups. Intrigued by this, I had several stalks in my crisper, and I decided that tonight was as good a time as any to try making broccoli soup. Since I'm not a big fan of 'cream' soups, I liked the "Broccoli and Apple Soup" recipe in Lunch Box. I substituted skim milk to reduce some of the fat content (and its all I have), and I was pretty happy with the outcome. Tomorrow's lunch will be the test to decide if I really like the recipe. The soup is on the right in this picture.

Making soup also reminds me that my blender, while adequate for making smoothies in university, has met its match when it comes to pureeing soups. Another item to start saving for (or maybe a future earning opportunity with Pampered Chef.. hmmm!)

Anyway, back to this photo. The salad on the left is a chicken and rice salad with curried yogourt dressing, also adapted from the book. I assembled this gem last night after dinner (I am loving all this time in my kitchen, making great food)! I believe that with any cold salad recipe, you really need it to sit for at least 12 hours or more for the flavours to 'cure'. Often this means that lunch becomes a little adventure, because it is the first time I really get to try (and hopefully enjoy) these new recipes. I was delighted with this salad!

My recipe included:

• 1-2 C Diced or shredded chicken
• 1-2 C 5 Grain Rice (or any rice or pasta - I LOVE the 5 Grain Rice blend from The Bulk Barn because is keeps me full all day)
• 1/2 C Celery, diced
• 1/2 C raisins and/or cranberries
• 1 small onion, finely chopped
• 1 unpeeled apple, diced
• half handful of sliced almonds

Dressing:

• 1 Tbsp curry
• 3/4 C plain yogourt
• 1 1/2 tsp dijon mustard
• Maybe nutmeg or another spice would 'sweeten' the recipe up a little more.. still need to figure that out

Mix the salad ingredients together. Mix the dressing together, then pour onto salad. Toss to coat. Refrigerate before serving.

Finally, anyone familiar with Pampered Chef (wow - 2 mentions in one post!) will recognize the small, square bowls above and the caddy. Shameless product plug? You know it! If anyone likes this bowl and caddy set, which is fabulous for summer entertaining with dips and toppings , you can get them for 60% off in May!! Ask me how!

Happy Easter!

Happy Easter everyone!

Hopefully you find yourself with wonderful weather to enjoy get-togethers with family and friends. We have been blessed with sunny days and a warmer forecast to come!

Here are the Easter "brownie baskets" I made for my Brownie unit for "Easter party" this week. Homemade two-bite brownies with cream cheese and coconut frosting, tinted green with a drop or two of food colouring, and candy eggs. So easy and so fun to make!

Curried Cauliflower Soup - A Great Lunch for Cold Days!

With all this chilly weather, I can't help but want to eat soup everyday!

Last weekend, my cousin made Curried Cauliflower Soup for dinner, and I fell in love. The recipe can be found in the Autumn 2008 LCBO Food & Drink Magazine. Typically, I find these recipes can sometimes be a little complex and require odd ingredients that I don't have around. Not this one! The soup was easy to make, and I whipped it up on the stove while making dinner last night. The curry flavour isn't too strong, and the cauliflower gives it a creamy texture that is comforting on a cold day without being too heavy or packed with fat.

Definitely a recipe I'll be bookmarking to make again! 

Do you have any favorite soup recipes?

Merry Christmas Everyone!

With only one day to go before Christmas, I am taking my time today to enjoy the holiday and spend some time at my house before I head to my parent's farm for Christmas.

Once I'm on the road, however, I'll be anxious to get home and immerse myself in the country Christmas traditions that I grew up with. Christmas mass this evening, egg nog and treats at my Grandma's home and National Lampoons Christmas Vacation will undoubtedly be on the itinerary for tonight. My favourite tradition on our farm is Christmas brunch. We take our time milking cows and doing chores in the morning, then come in to a great spread of food - scrambled eggs, pancakes, fruit, yogurt, toast, cheese and fresh coffee.. yumm!

Whatever your traditions are, I wish everyone a wonderful Christmas and a safe holiday season.

If you'd like to include pancakes in your tradition, here is a great recipe that we have been using at the farm for years, and I now make regularly on Sunday mornings by myself.

Oatmeal Pancakes

1 1/2 C oatmeal
2 c milk

Soak oatmeal in milk and let stand for 5-10 minutes.

1/2 C whole wheat flour

1/2 C white flour

1 Tbsp brown sugar

1 Tbsp baking powder

1 ts salt

1/2 ts cinnamon

Mix all ingredients together. Beat 2 eggs, 1/4 C melted butter together and pour into the centre of dry mix. Mix well. Add oatmeal mixture and mix until combined.

Heat oil/butter on hot griddle, pour onto griddle.

Chocolate chips or blueberries are favourite additions to these pancakes, but they are also good with banana slices or apples. My favourite way to eat pancakes? Slather them with peanut butter, slice bananas on top, then coat with syrup! YUMMY!

Apple Cheesecake Squares Recipe

This is not a home tip, but I am an avid cook, so in the spirit of fall, I decided I would share this great recipe. A co-worker came across it in an issue of Harrowsmith Country Life magazine and passed it along to me. I tweaked it by using a graham cracker crumb crust, as opposed to pastry.

They have been a hit everywhere I've taken them - they're like cheesecake, but a fraction of the effort to make!

Look for firmer apples that will keep their shape when baked, Golden Delicious, Ida Red, Empire or Cortland. Or try adding pears or blueberries!

Apple Cheesecake Squares
Graham Cracker Crust:
1 cup graham crack crumbs

1/4 C honey

1/4 C butter
Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Mix crust ingredients together. Press into a lightly greased 9" x 9" pan. Bake for 10 minutes, or until golden around the edges. Remove and let cool.

Cream Cheese Layer:
1 pkg cream cheese
1/4 cup sugar
1 egg
1/2 t vanilla
Whip until smooth with electric beaters. Pour over cooled crust.

Apple Layer:
4 large apples, peeled and sliced
1/3 cup sugar
1/2 t cinnamon
1/4 cup sliced almonds
Mix sugar, cinnamon and sprinkle over sliced apples. Arrange apples over the cheese layer. Sprinkle with almonds. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes. Cool and chill before serving.