Pear Custard Bars

1/2 cup butter or margarine, softened
1/3 cup granulated sugar
3/4 cup all-purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
2/3 cup chopped macadamia nuts

In a mixing bowl, cream butter and sugar. Beat in the flour and vanilla extract until combined. Stir in the nuts. Press into a greased 8-inch square baking pan. Bake at 350 degrees F for 20 minutes or until lightly browned. Cool on a wire rack. Increase heat to 375 degrees F.

Filling/Topping:
8 ounces cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1 egg
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 (15 1/4 ounce) can pear halves, drained
1/2 teaspoon granulated sugar
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

In a mixing bowl, beat cream cheese until smooth. Add sugar, egg and vanilla extract; mix until combined. Pour over crust. Cut pears into 1/8-inch slices; arrange in a single layer over filling.

Combine sugar and cinnamon; sprinkle over pears. Bake for 28 to 30 minutes (center will be soft set and will become firmer upon cooling). Cool on a wire rack for 45 minutes. Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours before cutting. Store in the refrigerator.

Yields 16 bars.