Apple Kuchen Bars
Source: Fireside (Food Network)

For the crust:
2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup sugar
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 sticks unsalted butter, cold and cut into pieces

For the filling:
1 pound cream cheese, at room temp
3/4 cup sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 egg, at room temperature

For the topping:
2 tablespoons sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
3 Granny Smith apples, peeled, if desired, cored, and thinly sliced

Preheat the oven to 450 degrees. Lightly grease and flour a 9x13-inch pan.

To make the crust: Place the flour, sugar, and salt in a large bowl or food processor and mix to combine. Add the vanilla and butter, a little at a time, and mix until it resembles cornmeal. Press into the prepared baking pan. Bake until slightly golden but not brown, about 12 to 15 minutes. Set aside to cool. Lower the oven temperature to 400 degrees.

To make the filling: Beat the cream cheese, sugar, and vanilla until creamy. Add the egg, mix to combine, pour over the cooled crust. Place the apples on top of the filling in two or three columns. Sprinkle with the cinnamon and sugar. Bake until firm and a rich brown, about 20 minutes. Cut into 20 to 24 pieces.


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