Best Bavarian Torte Cheesecake with Fruit Cocktail

One of my mom's best easy cake recipes, with a rich nutty crust.

Requires a springform pan.

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
Butter a 10" springform pan.

Crust:

• 1/2 cup butter or margarine
• 1/3 cup granulated sugar
• 1/4 tsp vanilla
• 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 2/3 cup finely chopped walnuts or hazelnuts

Cream the butter, sugar and vanilla. Gradually add the flour. Stir in nuts. Press this crumbly mixture into the bottom and 1/2" up onto the sides of the greased springform pan.


Make Filling:

• 8 oz. (1 pkg) cream cheese
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1 egg
• 1/2 tsp. vanilla

Beat the cream cheese with sugar. Add the egg and vanilla. Mix well. Pour this mixture on top of the unbaked crust Pour the filling on top of the unbaked crust in the pan.

Topping:

• 14 oz. can fruit cocktail OR use cooked fresh fruit (see below)
• 1 tsp sugar
• 1/2 tsp cinnamon

Drain the can of fruit cocktail well. In a bowl, lightly toss the drained fruit with sugar and cinnamon. Arrange fruit on top of cheese filling.

Note: To use fresh fruit: apples, apricots, pears or plums, peel and cut the fruit. Then cook, drain and cool the fruit before tossing with cinnamon and sugar.

Bake at 400 degrees F for 10 minutes. Turn oven down to 375 degrees F and bake another 20-25 minutes.
Cool the cake in the pan for 20 minutes before removing the sides.
Refrigerate.