SWEDISH APPLE-ALMOND KUCHEN

Swedish Apple-Almond Kuchen image

Provided by Lucille Hoerle

Categories Cakes

Time 1h30m

Number Of Ingredients 14

CRUST
1 1/2 c all purpose flour
1/3 c granulated sugar
3/4 tsp baking powder
1/8 tsp ground cardamon or 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
7 Tbsp unsalted butter cut in small pieces
1 large egg
FILLING
1/2 c almonds, sliced
1/2 c granulated sugar
3 Tbsp all purpose flour
2 Tbsp unsalted butter
1/8 tsp cardamon or 1/2 tsp. vanilla extra
3 medium size golden delicious apples

Steps:

1. 1. Heat oven to 350. Have 9-9 1/2 spring form pan ready. 2. To make crust in food processor: Process flour, sugar, baking powder, cardamon (if using) just to mix. Add butter and turn off machine 3-4 times until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Scrape down sides of bowl. Add egg and vanilla (if using) and turn machine on/off until soft dough forms. To make crust by hand: Mix flour, sugar, baking powder and cardamon (if using) in medium-sized bowl. Cut in butter with pastry blender or mix with fingers until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Stir in egg and vanilla (if using) until soft dough forms. 3. Spread or pat dough evenly over bottom and about 1-1/2 inches up sides of pan. Refrigerate while preparing filling.
2. To make filling: 1. Put almonds, sugar and flour in blender or food processor. Process about 1 minute until almonds are ground fine. 2. Add egg, butter, cardamon or vanilla until blended. 3. Peel, quarter and core apples. Place each quarter cut side down and cut each lengthwise in thin slices, not cutting through. (Slices will be attached where core was). 4. Spread filling over crust. Arrange apple quarters over filling side by side, fanning slightly. Put one quarter in middle. 5. Bake 60-65 minutes until crust is very golden and apples slightly brown. 6. Place pan on wire rack, loosen edges and remove pan sides. 7. Cool on rack at least 1 hour or cover and refrigerate up to 3 hours (longer is okay). 8. Sprinkle with powdered sugar to garnish.