Pear Custard Bars

1/2 cup butter, softened, 1/3 cup sugar, 3/4 cup four, 1/4 t. vanilla extract, 2/3 cup chopped macadamia nuts.

Filling/Topping: 1 (8 oz.) package cream cheese, softened, 1/2 cup sugar, 1 egg, 1/2 t. vanilla extract, 1 can (15 1/4 oz.) pear halves, drained, 1/2 t. sugar, 1/2 t. ground cinnamon.

In a mixing bow, cream butter and sugar. Beat in the flour and vanilla until combined. Stir in the nuts. Press into a greased 8" square baking pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes or until lightly browned. Cool on a wire rack.

Increase heat to 375 degrees. In a mixing bow, beat cream cheese until smooth. Add sugar, egg and vanilla; mix until combined. Pour over crust. Cut pears into 1/8" slices; arrange 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 upon cooling). Cool on a wire rack for 45 minutes. Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours before cutting. Store in the refrigerator. Yield: 16 bars.