Game Day Apple Bars

There are the 'fruit dessert' people and the 'chocolate dessert' people of the world. Perhaps I am from an alternate universe because I really, truly am both. Maybe I just love dessert...that must be it.

But everyone will bring brownies to the Superbowl party. So, if you're like me, bring these and you'll have both fruit and chocolate sugary goodness. You'll impress all your friends and they'll love you forever. No, really. Especially if you serve it warm with vanilla ice cream.

These bars are really easy to make and if for some strange reason they don't all get eaten, they make a nice little breakfast treat. Enjoy!

Crust:

2 packages graham crackers

4 Tablespoons butter, melted

Filling:

1 8-0z package cream cheese, room temperature

1 egg

1/2 cup sugar

1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

1/2 teaspoon almond extract

2 Granny Smith Apples, peeled, cored, and sliced into 1/8" slices

Topping:

2 Tablespoons flour

2 Tablespoons cold butter

2 Tablespoons granulated sugar

2 Tablespoons brown sugar

1 teaspoon cinnamon

1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract

1/4 teaspoon almond extract

2 Tablespoons slivered almonds

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

2. In a food processor, pulverize graham crackers until finely ground. Dump contents into a bowl and mix in the melted butter. It should resemble wet sand. Pack the mixture into a 8X8-inch pan, pressing to compact. Bake for 10 minutes.

3. In a small bowl, combine all the ingredients for the topping. With your fingers, scrunch all the ingredients together until the butter has incorporated all of the flour and sugars but is still crumbly. Place in the fridge until ready to use.

4. Meanwhile, wash out the food processor and reassemble. Put in the cream cheese and turn on till soft. Add the sugar and process till combined. Add the egg and process until fully incorporated. Add the vanilla and almond extracts and process another 5 seconds or so.

5. In rows, lay apple slices slightly overlapping like shingles to cover the graham cracker crust. Pour the cream cheese mixture over the apples. Take the topping out of the fridge and sprinkle over the cream cheese mixture.

6. Bake for 50-60 minutes, or until cream cheese is set and is golden brown.

Makes 12 bars.

Printable version here.