Caramel Apple Cheese Danish Pie Recipe

Pie Crust :

• Blend flour and salt in a large bowl.
• Cut shortening into flour with pastry blender or two knives until mixture is uniform and shortening resembles coarse crumbs.
• Beat egg, water and vinegar together.
• Pour all liquid over flour mixture.
• Stir with fork until mixture is moistened.
• Divide dough in half and shape into a ball.
• Flatten each into a circle about 4” (10 cm).
• Wrap and chill dough for 15 minutes for easier rolling.

Filling: 

• Melt butter in a large skillet over medium heat.
• Mix in sugar, cinnamon and salt and cook for 1 minute, until combined and bubbling.
• Add apples and stir to combine well.
• Continue to cook on medium-high heat until tender and most of liquid has been reduced, about 12 to 15 minutes.
• Set aside and cool. (This prevents a soggy crust);

Cheese Danish layer :

• Beat cream cheese and sugar with an electric mixer for 1 minute on medium speed until smooth.
• Add egg and vanilla and beat until mixture is smooth
• Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
• Roll each portion of dough separately on a lightly floured surface into a circle 2” (5 cm) wider than 9” (23 cm) pie plate.
• Transfer dough to pie plate.
• Fill with cooled apple filling.
• Pour cheese mixture over apples.
• Top with remaining pastry.
• Flute edges.
• Cut slits on top of pastry.
• Brush top of pie with egg and sprinkle with sugar.
• Bake in preheated oven 10 minutes.
• Reduce heat to 350°F (175°C) and continue baking 50 to 55 minutes until crust is golden brown.
• Cool on wire cooling rack.
• Delicious served warm or at room temperature.