Bavarian Apple Torte

Today we have a special post for you, Bavarian Apple Torte. This luscious apple dessert has a shortbread crust, followed by a creamy, decadent cheesecake layer and topped off with cinnamon apples and almonds.

The perfect fall dessert! Or maybe you would like to try our Apple Cranberry Pie, Apple Pie Macarons, Apple Dump Cake, or Apple Cider Donuts.

Here is the story behind this classic torte.

Lisa’s Apple Torte by Lisa Kauffmann

Growing up, my mom, who was a home-ec teacher, would always try out new recipes and even invent her own. I called it ‘variations on a theme’.  Having a German father, mom was always on the lookout for the best kaisekuchen (cheesecake) recipe. I had no problems trying out her creations, whether they worked out or not. Cheesecake is one of my favorite desserts but after a meal, it can be heavy, and frankly, who needs the calories?

My mom found a recipe in an advert for Philadelphia Cream Cheese, she tweaked it a bit, and Lisa’s Apple Torte was born. It became a dessert staple around the house as well as at family gatherings, potlucks, and bridge club nights. Everyone loved this torte so much that I would call my mom when I lived in Europe to get the recipe so I could make it and impress my Parisian friends (Side note, they LOVED IT).

It’s a pretty simple torte to make and it definitely has a cheesecake vibe, except it’s light and perfect for dessert or afternoon coffee. With all of the apples available now, you can alter the taste just by using different apples. Once the Kanzi apples are back in season, I will be trying it with them.

The name Lisa’s Apple Torte actually came about only a few months ago when I got a note from a school friend, Laurie Holmstrom, about how I gave her the recipe years ago and it became a success and favorite in her household. It is known in her house as Lisa’s Apple Torte, so now the name has stuck!

I am certain that this torte will be a family favorite for you too.

How To Make An Apple Torte

There are basically three layers to this apple cake. Don’t be intimidated though, as they are all easy.

Preheat your oven to 450 degrees F.

For the crust, using an electric mixer or a stand mixer, cream the softened butter, sugar, and vanilla. Add the flour and beat until just combined (do not overwork the dough or it will turn out very hard).

Gently press the dough into the bottom and up the side slightly of a 9” springform pan.

For the filling, mix the cream cheese with sugar, then add the egg and vanilla, mix using an electric mixer or a stand mixer at medium speed until light and fluffy.

Evenly spread the cream cheese mixture over the crust.

For the topping, in a large bowl, toss to coat the apple slices with the sugar and cinnamon and toss to coat all the slices.

Spoon over the cream cheese layer in a pretty pattern.

Place the springform pan on a cookie sheet and bake at 450 degrees F for 10 minutes.

Reduce oven to 400 degrees F and bake for 35-45 minutes more, or until the apples are soft. Add the almonds in the last 15 minutes and continue baking.

Loosen the rim and allow the torte to cool in the pan before removing the ring. (Use a knife to loosen the torte from the side of the ring.)

Helpful Tips for a Perfect Bavarian Apple Torte

First tip for the shortbread crust is don’t overwork the ingredients and don’t press the crust in too hard. Both of these will end you up with a tough, hard crust to cut and make serving difficult.

Take your cream cheese out well in advance to come to room temperature. This will help your cheesecake layer stay creamy and lump free.

Slice the apples thinly so they will have time to cook. Try to keep them uniform so that they will cook evenly too.

You will need to refrigerate the torte if made ahead but take it out about 15-20 minutes before serving as that will make it easier to slice.

I wouldn’t recommend freezing this dessert as the apples could get watery and make everything soggy.

Putting the almonds on for the last 15 minutes of baking allows them to toast nicely but not burn. Putting them on at the beginning you will end up with burnt almonds.

Pin it HERE!!

Pin it HERE!!

Lisa’s Apple Torte – Bavarian Apple Torte

Tara Noland

Lisa's Apple Torte – Bavarian Apple Torte is a classic recipe with a shortbread crust followed by a decadent cheesecake layer and topped with cinnamon apples and almonds. The perfect fall dessert that you will be proud to serve on your Thanksgiving table!

4.94 from 15 votes

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 30 minutes mins

Cook Time 55 minutes mins

Total Time 1 hour hr 25 minutes mins

Course Cakes and Cupcakes

Cuisine German/Austrian

Servings 10 servings

Calories 323 kcal

Ingredients

 

For the Bottom Crust

• 1/2 cup butter softened
• 1/3 cup sugar
• 1/4 tsp. vanilla
• 1 cup flour

For the Filling

• 8 oz. cream cheese
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 1 large egg
• 1/2 tsp. vanilla

For the Topping

• 1/3 cup sugar
• 1/2 tsp. cinnamon
• 4 apples peeled cored and thinly sliced (Good cooking apple like Honey Crisps, Granny Smith etc.)
• 1/4 cup sliced almonds

Instructions

 

• 1. Preheat your oven to 450 degrees F.
• 2. For the crust, using a stand mixer, cream the ½ cup softened butter, 1/3 cup sugar, and 1/4 tsp. vanilla. Add the 1 cup flour and beat until just combined. (do not overwork the dough or it will turn out very hard).
• 3. Gently press the dough into the bottom and up the side slightly of a 9” springform pan.
• 4. For the filling, mix the cream cheese with the 1/4 cup sugar, then add the egg and the 1/2 tsp. vanilla and mix to combine.
• 5. Evenly spread the cream cheese mixture over the crust.
• 6. For the topping, in a large bowl combine the apple slices with the sugar and cinnamon and toss to coat all the slices.
• 7. Spread the apple slices in a pretty pattern on top of the cream cheese layer.
• 8. Place the springform pan on a cookie sheet and bake at 450 degrees F for 10 minutes.
• 9. Reduce the heat to 400 degrees F and bake for 35-45 minutes more, or until the apples are soft. Add the sliced almonds in the last 15 minutes of baking.
• 10. Loosen the rim and allow the torte to cool in the pan before removing the ring. (Use a knife to loosen the torte from the side of the ring.)

Equipment

McCormick Ground Cinnamon, 7.12 oz

Aucma Stand Mixer,6.5-QT 660W 6-Speed Tilt-Head Food Mixer, Kitchen Electric Mixer with Dough Hook, Wire Whip & Beater (6.5QT, Blue)

Zulay Premium 9 Inch Cheesecake Pan – Springform Pan with Safe Non-Stick Coating & Interlocking Layers for Easy Release – Top Quality 9in Springform Pan Bakes Delicious Cheesecake and More

Notes

See our helpful tips in the post to make the best Bavarian Apple Torte!

Nutrition

Serving: 1Calories: 323kcalCarbohydrates: 39gProtein: 4gFat: 18gSaturated Fat: 11gPolyunsaturated Fat: 5gCholesterol: 66mgSodium: 153mgFiber: 2gSugar: 27g

Nutrition calculation is an estimation only. If you need nutritional calculations for medical reasons, please use a source that you trust.

Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!