Bavarian Torte Bars

A friend brought this to a potluck quite a few years ago, and her plate was the first of the desserts to be completely emptied. It is cheesecake-like in texture but is served as a bar. I am a chocoholic so a non-chocolate dessert has to be extra special to "wow" me. This one did the trick. I usually double the recipe, since the 8X8 pan is not enough for my family and friends. I share the recipe as she gave it to me so I am guessing at the serving size.

• Ready In: 1 hr 10 mins
• Serves: 10-12

Ingredients

• Crust

• 1⁄2 cup unsalted butter (softened)
• 1⁄3 cup sugar
• 3⁄4 flour
• 2⁄3 cup  coarsely ground  almonds
• 1⁄4 teaspoon vanilla

• Filling

• 8  ounces cream cheese (softened)
• 1  egg
• 1⁄4 cup sugar
• 1 (1 lb) can  pear halves in natural juice (drained)

• Topping

• 1⁄2 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1⁄2 teaspoon sugar

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350°. Prepare crust by creaming butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
2. Add vanilla, flour and almonds.
3. Press crust into 8x8 square pan (I use glass).
4. Pierce crust all over with fork and bake for 10 minutes.
5. Remove from oven and let cool slightly.
6. Meanwhile prepare filling by beating cream cheese until lumps are removed and add sugar.
7. Continue to beat for about 1 minute and then add egg and vanilla.
8. Beat until well combined.
9. Spread filling over crust.
10. Thinly slice drained pears lengthwise and arrange over cream cheese, slightly overlapping each slice in neat rows.
11. Sprinkle cinnamon sugar topping over the top.
12. Bake for 25 minutes or until crust is golden brown and filling has puffed up a little bit and almost set.
13. Cool completely and refrigerate until cold (at least 3 hours, overnight is recommended).
14. Slice into squares to serve.