Easy Pastry Shop Apple Tart

I got this recipe from one of my co-workers.  We often swap recipes and share dishes at work functions.  I made it for our Oct/Nov birthday celebration held tonight at my Mom's.  It's easy to make and tastes like you spent twice as much time as you actually did making it.

For the crust:
1/2 C. butter
1/3 C. sugar
1/2 tsp. vanilla
1 C. all purpose flour

For the cream filling:
8oz. cream cheese
1/4 C. sugar
1 egg
1/2 tsp. vanilla

For the top:
3 apples, peeled and thinly sliced (I used Granny Smith's and it only took 2)
1/2 tsp. cinnamon
1/4 C. sugar
1/4 C. slivered almonds or sliced walnuts (I toasted the almonds)

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

Make the crust:  Cream the butter and sugar.  Stir in the vanilla.  Finally, mix in the flour to make a smooth dough.  Press into the bottom of an 8-inch springform pan, giving it about a 1-inch rim.  Bake 15 minutes or until lightly golden.  Remove tart shell from the oven.

While the crust bakes, beat together the cream cheese, sugar, egg and vanilla for the cream filling until smooth.  Make the topping by tossing the apple slices with the cinnamon , sugar and nuts.

Remove the tart shell from the oven.  Spread the cream mixture over the shell.  Arrange the apple slices on top and them scatter the nuts over the tart.  Bake until the apples are tender and golden, about 40 minutes.