1/2 c. chilled butter
1 c. sifted flour
1/3 c. sugar
1/4 tsp. vanilla
1 lb. cream cheese, softened
1/2 c. sugar
2 eggs
1 tsp. vanilla

TOPPING:

3 apples, peeled and sliced
1/4 c. sugar
1/2 tsp. cinnamon
1/4 tsp. vanilla

Combine butter, flour, 1/3 cup sugar and 1/4 teaspoon vanilla. Process in food processor (or work with hands) until mixture resembles coarse meal. Using a 9 inch springform pan, press mixture onto bottom and up 1 inch of sides. Bake at 350 degrees for 5 minutes.

Cream cheese well. Add 1/2 cup sugar, cream and add eggs and 1 teaspoon vanilla. Pour into baked crust.

Toss sliced apples with 1/4 cup sugar, cinnamon and 1/4 teaspoon vanilla. Layer in a circular pattern on top of cheese mixture. (Apples may sink a little.) Bake at 450 degrees for 15 minutes. Reduce heat to 350 degrees and bake 45 minutes more. Cool and then chill.

Seems like lots of steps, but really is simple to make, and well worth it!