Pear Custard Bars
Serve with Cinnamon Vanilla Ice Cream

With a creamy cheesecake layer and topped with spiced pears, Pear Custard Bars are perfect for a Fall Theme Party. The macadamia nut crust adds a nice crunch to these unique dessert bars.

Crust

• 1/2 cup butter or margarine, softened
• 1/3 cup sugar
• 3/4 cup flour
• 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2/3 cups chopped macadamia nuts

Filling/Topping

• 1-8 oz. package cream cheese, softened
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1 egg
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1-15 oz. can pear slices, drained
• 1/2 teaspoon sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

To make the crust, beat butter and sugar together in a mixing bowl. Beat in flour and vanilla until combined. Stir in the nuts. Press into a greased 8-inch square baking pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes or until lightly browned. Cool on a wire rack.

For the filling, increase heat to 375 degrees. Beat cream cheese until smooth and then add sugar, egg and vanilla. Mix until combined and pour over crust.

Arrange pear slices in a single layer over filling. Combine sugar and cinnamon; sprinkle over pears.

Bake at 375 degrees for 28-30 minutes (center will be soft set and will become firmer when cooled). Cool on a wire rack for 45 minutes then refrigerate at least 2 hours before cutting.

Makes 16 bars. Store in refrigerator.

When I make these bars, I serve them on my grandmother's pedestal cake stand which looks a lot like this one from Amazon.com.

I like to put a Decorative Paper Doily down first then set the Pear Custard Bars on top.

These bars are outstanding served with Cinnamon Vanilla Ice Cream. It is hard to find in stores so I make my own.

Add a teaspoon of cinnamon to a pint of softened vanilla ice cream and re-freeze. When ready to serve, put a big scoop on top on each Pear Custard Bar. Perfect for your Autumn Theme parties.

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