Maple Cheesecake with Roasted Pears

(295)
Servings:
8

Maple syrup not only flavors this luscious cheesecake, but it also is brushed on thinly sliced pears that are broiled to create a very unique decoration atop this festive dessert.

Ingredients

  • 2 bars (8 ounces each) cream cheese, room temperature

  • ¾ cup pure maple syrup

  • 1 cup cold heavy cream

  • 2 tablespoons confectioners' sugar

  • 1 Easy Press-In Pie Crust, made in a 9-inch springform pan with vanilla wafers

  • Nonstick cooking spray

  • 2 medium pears, such as Bosc or Bartlett, sliced lengthwise ⅛ inch thick

Directions

  1. In a large bowl, using an electric mixer, beat cream cheese on high until fluffy, about 3 minutes. Add 1/2 cup maple syrup; beat until smooth. In a medium bowl, beat cream and sugar on high until soft peaks form, about 3 minutes. With a rubber spatula, stir about one-third the whipped cream into cream cheese mixture, then fold in remainder. Transfer to crust and refrigerate until firm, 3 hours (or up to 1 day).

  2. Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Coat a parchment-lined rimmed baking sheet with cooking spray. Arrange pear slices in a single layer on sheet and brush with 2 tablespoons maple syrup. Roast until pears are soft, 20 minutes. Remove from oven and heat broiler. Brush pears with 2 tablespoons maple syrup and broil until browned in spots, about 4 minutes, rotating sheet frequently. Let cool. To serve, arrange pear slices, overlapping slightly, on cheesecake.

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Originally appeared: Everyday Food, November 2010

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