Can an apple a day really keep the doctor away? There's no doubt they really are bursting with health benefits. As a mom, I'm so thankful that my kiddos LOVE apples. I buy half a dozen of them pretty much every time I go to the grocery store. They make such a great snack and often get served at lunchtime along with some peanut butter.

However, I must confess that up until a few years ago I had a love/hate relationship with apples. You see I seriously dislike cutting them into wedges. Not only that, I also find the whole peeling process to be quite a pain.

But then one glorious day Grandma Geibler from Canada came to my rescue! Instead of the usual apple wedges, I watched her create "apple chips". She cut thin round slices from two opposite sides then finished up with rectangular slices on the two remaining sides. Not only is it faster, but the chips are actually much easier to eat. For mealtimes, it's the only way I do apples anymore. A&A even happily eat the peel! Simple yet brilliant. Now why didn't I think of that?

That being said, when it comes time to make yummy desserts that require apples wedges I'm willing to take one for the team. I put on my big girl pants, grab my pretty red paring knife, and pull out my handy dandy apple corer.

Recently I baked up one of our favs ~ a Bavarian Apple Torte. Trust me, it's totally worth peeling, coring and slicing 3 apples for! Being a somewhat rustic dessert that has a European flair, it consists of a pastry bottom covered by a cheesecake filling that gets topped with cinnamon-sugared apples and sliced almonds. Now doesn't that sound good? Gee, I may have just talked myself in to making another one.

Give it try I tell you! You can thank me later.

{~BAVARIAN APPLE TORTE~}

{~INGREDIENTS~}

{~RECIPE~}

* Beat butter and 1/3 cup sugar in mixer until fluffy. Gradually add flour, beating until mixture is blended. Stir in 1/4 teaspoon vanilla. (Mixture will be slightly crumbly.)

* Press pastry into bottom and 1 1/2 inches up the sides of a lightly greased 9-inch springform pan.

* Beat cream cheese and 1/4 cup sugar at medium speed until smooth. Add egg and 1/2 teaspoon vanilla, beating well. Spread filling evenly over pastry.

* Combine 1/3 cup sugar, cinnamon, and apples, tossing lightly. Arrange apple slices over cream cheese mixture; sprinkle with almonds.

* Bake at 400 degrees for 40 minutes. Cool on a wire rack then remove the sides of the pan. Serve warm or chilled and alongside ice cream if desired.

*Recipe from Southern Living