Description
These delightful bars pair the earthy sweetness of fresh pears with a rich, tangy cream cheese filling, all nestled between layers of a buttery, cinnamon-spiced oat and pecan streusel. A perfect rustic dessert that is easy to assemble, highly portable for gatherings, and features a wonderful texture contrast between the crisp topping and the silky, jam-like pear center.
Ingredients
1 1/2 cups gluten-free quick-cooking oats
1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
3/4 cup brown sugar, packed
1/2 cup chopped pecans
3/4 cup unsalted butter, cold and cubed
1 teaspoon cinnamon
2 large ripe pears, peeled and diced
1 tablespoon lemon juice
8 oz cream cheese, softened
1/3 cup granulated sugar
1 large egg
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a 9×9 inch square baking pan with parchment paper.
In a large bowl, whisk together the oats, flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, and chopped pecans.
Cut in the cold butter using a pastry cutter or your fingers until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
Press two-thirds of the mixture firmly into the bottom of the prepared pan.
In a medium bowl, toss the diced pears with the lemon juice and spread them evenly over the crust.
In a separate bowl, beat the cream cheese, granulated sugar, egg, and vanilla until smooth.
Pour the cream cheese mixture over the pears, smoothing the top with a spatula.
Sprinkle the remaining crust mixture over the cheesecake layer.
Bake for 35 to 40 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown and the center is set.
Allow bars to cool completely in the pan before slicing into squares.
Notes
Ensure your cream cheese is at room temperature to avoid lumps in the filling. The bars set best when chilled in the refrigerator for at least two hours after cooling to room temperature. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 260
- Sugar: 18g
- Sodium: 85mg
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Carbohydrates: 32g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 45mg