Apple Almond Linzer Torte

 

2 c. flour

1 t. cinnamon

¼ t. nutmeg

1 c. butter or margarine, at room temperature

1 c. sugar

2 eggs

1 T. lemon juice

1 t. vanilla

½ c. chopped almonds

2 Granny Smith apples, peeled, cored, and cut in thin wedges (about 2 ½ cups)

½ c. apple jelly

½ c. sliced almonds

For garnish: powdered sugar

 

Place oven rack at lowest position, heat 350 degrees.  Grease a 9 inch springform pan.  Mix flour, cinnamon and nutmeg.  In a large bowl beat butter and sugar with electric mixer, until light and fluffy.  Beat in eggs one at a time, then lemon juice and vanilla.  Stir in flour mixture and shopped almonds until well blended.  Measure out 2/3 cup batter and set aside.  Spread remainder in bottom of prepared pan.  Starting at ¼ inch from edge of pan, arrange about 1 ½ c. of the apples in a circle, slightly overlapping.  Form another circle on top with remaining apples, starting ½ inch from center of pan.  Meanwhile melt ¼ cup jelly and brush over apples.  Drop teaspoonfuls of reserved batter around outside edge and spread with back of spoon to make ½ inch border.  Fill center of torte with remaining batter.   Arrange some sliced almonds in center, sprinkle remainder over border.  Bake 1 hour or until golden.  Cool in pan on rack 15 minutes.  Remove pan sides.  Melt remaining ¼ c. jelly and brush apples again.  Cool completely on rack.  Sprinkle border and center with powdered sugar.