Instead of sticking to the classic pumpkin pie this year, why not make a unique and truly scrumptious dessert for your Thanksgiving celebration? This Pear Cream Cheese Bar, made with crunchy and delicious mac nuts in the crust, will have your mouth watering all day. You’ll practically moan when you finally get to bite into it.

Source: Flickr

To make the crust, you’ll need:

• 1/2 stick butter
• 1/4 cup white sugar
• 1/2 cup flour
• 1/2 teaspoon cloves
• 1/2 teaspoon ginger
• 1/2 cup finely chopped macadamia nuts

For the filling, you’ll need:

• 2 pears, peeled, cored and sliced thinly
• 1 1/2 packages cream cheese (12 ounces)
• 3/4 cup white sugar
• an egg
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

For the topping, you’ll need:

• 1/2 cup macadamia nuts, chopped
• 1/2 stick butter
• 1/2 cup flour
• 1/4 cup packed brown sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon coriander

Follow these steps:

1. Prepare the crust by creaming the butter and sugar. Add the flour, ginger and cloves gradually. Then, stir in the macadamia nuts.
2. Press crust into a greased, 8-inch square baking pan.
3. Bake at 350 F for 15 minutes.
4. Prepare the filling by beating the cream cheese and sugar. Add the egg and vanilla, and mix until smooth. Spread over the hot crust.
5. Top filling with the pears.
6. Combine the streusel ingredients with a fork or pastry blender until coarse crumbs form.
7. Sprinkle the streusel evenly over the pears.
8. Bake for 25 – 30 minutes at 375 F.
9. Let bars cool, and then refrigerate for 3 hours before slicing.

For the macadamia nuts, use our Nuts in the Nude, or try one of our delicious sweet flavors (Vanilla, Caramel or CInnamon Bun Crunch). The sweet flavors are especially good when used for the streusel.

Hawaii’s Local Buzz is your premier source for crunchy and delicious mac nuts. We dehydrate our nuts instead of roast them, so they have an amazing crunch and a noticeably fresher flavor. Visit our online store to purchase our natural snacks, grown on our own farm.