Almond Apple Bars

Ingredients

• 1 1/4 cup (300 ml) all purpose flour
• 1/4 tsp (1 ml) salt
• 3 ounces (85 g) cream cheese, softened at room temp.
• 2 ounces (4 tbsp) unsalted butter, softened at room temp.
• 1/4 tsp (1 ml) pure almond extract
• 1/4 tsp (1 ml) pure vanilla extract
• 1/4 cup (60 ml) granulated sugar
• 1/4 cup (60 ml) light brown sugar
• 1/3 cup (80 ml) almonds, finely chopped
• 2 tbsp (30 ml) all purpose flour
• 2 tbsp (30 ml) granulated sugar
• 2 tbsp (30 ml) light brown sugar
• 1/4 cup (60 ml) almonds, coarsely chopped
• 5 ounces (140 g) cream cheese, softened at room temp.
• 1/2 cup (120 ml) granulated sugar
• 1 large egg
• 1 tbsp (15 ml) freshly squeezed lemon juice
• pinch of salt
• 2-3 medium (~ 1 lb (450 g)) Granny Smith apples, peeled, cored & cut into thin slices

Method

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9x9 inch (23x23 cm) square baking pan with parchment, then butter the parchment.
2. Sift the flour and salt together and set the dry ingredients aside.
3. In the bowl of a stand mixer, beat the cream cheese and butter on medium speed until smooth, about 1-2 minutes. Add the almond and vanilla extracts and beat on medium until smooth, about 1 minute. Add the granulated and brown sugars and beat on medium speed until blended, scraping down the sides of the bowl once or twice.
4. On low speed, mix in the flour-salt mixture and the 1/3 cup (80 ml) of finely chopped almonds just until the dough comes together. It should be crumbly.
5. Reserve about 2/3 cup (160 ml) of the crust mixture for the topping. Press the remaining dough evenly into the bottom of the prepared pan. Prick the dough all over with a fork. Bake until light golden, about 16-18 minutes, then remove the crust from the oven.
6. While the crust bakes, make the topping by adding the flour and the granulated and brown sugars to the reserved dough. Mix until well combined; it should be crumbly. Set aside the topping and the 1/4 cup (60 ml) coarsely chopped almonds while you make the filling.
7. In a large mixing bowl, beat the cream cheese and sugar until smooth. Beat in the egg, lemon juice, and salt until well mixed.
8. Arrange the apple slices over the baked crust. Pour the cream cheese filling over the apples and gently spread it to cover. Crumble the topping over the filling, then sprinkle with the almonds.
9. Bake until light golden brown, about 45-50 minutes. Let the bars cool in the pan for about 30 minutes. Remove from the pan and cool completely on a cooling rack before cutting.