1/3 cup sugar

1/3 cup margarine or butter

1 Tbsp. shortening

1/4 tsp. vanilla

1 cup all-purpose flour

1/8 tsp. salt

4 cups peeled, cored, and sliced cooking apples (such as Golden Delicious or Granny Smith)

2 8-oz pkg. cream cheese, softened

1/2 cup sugar

1/2 tsp vanilla

2 eggs

1/3 cups sugar

1 tsp. ground cinnamon

1/4 cup sliced almonds

In a medium mixer bowl beat the first 1/3 cup sugar, margarine or butter, shortening, and 1.4 teaspoon vanilla on medium speed of an electric mixer till combined. Blend in flour and salt till crumbly. Pat onto the bottom of a 9-inch springform pan. Set aside.

Place apple slices in a single layer in a shallow baking pan. Cover with foil. Bake ina 400degree oven for 15 minutes. Meanwhile, for filling, in a large mixer bowl beat the cream cheese, the 1/2 cup sugar, and the 1/2 teaspoon vanilla with an electric mixer till fluffy. Add the eggs all at once, beating on low speed just till combined. Pour into dough-lined pan. Arrange warm apple slices atop filling. Combine the remaining 1/3 cup sugar and cinnamon. Sprinkle filling with sugar mixture and the almonds. Bake in a 400 degree oven for 40 minutes or till golden. Cool. Remove sides and place cake on a serving plate. Cover; chill 4 to 24 hours before serving. makes 12 servings.