Keyword: pear cheesecake w/ oat pecan streusel

A cheesecake is always an appropriate dinner party finale, but this version is a true showstopper. This cheesecake really makes the most of pear season, with the fruit layered on top of the cheesecake batter then covered with oat streusel. The wow-factor comes into play with the stained glass candied pears.

Candied Pears are a beautiful and completely edible decoration for cakes, cupcakes, or any other creative baking project.  Modern twists in candying techniques have seen a resurgence in recent years, blending traditional methods with innovative approaches breathing new life into the timeless art of candying fruit.

Today, candied fruit is enjoyed in various forms, from baking ingredients to standalone snacks. It has become a versatile ingredient in both sweet and savory dishes, catering to a wide range of tastes and preferences. The perception of candied fruit has shifted from being a rare luxury to a widely available and beloved treat for people of all backgrounds.

At this time of year, I’m always trying to come up with something special to give as gifts to our neighbors on either side of us. We couldn’t ask for better neighbors so it’s always nice to show our appreciation in some way. We usually try to give something they use when hosting family & friends. The family this pear cheesecake is for have a pear tree in their back yard so I think its safe to say they like pears.

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Pear Cheesecake w/ Oat Pecan Streusel

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Rating: 5
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Course

dessert

Cuisine

American

Keyword

pear cheesecake w/ oat pecan streusel

Servings

MetricUS Imperial

Ingredients

Stained Glass Candied Pears

• 2 Bartlett or Bosc pears
• 2 cups water
• 2 cups sugar
• gel food coloring I used rust, red, teal & olive green but you can use whatever colors you prefer

Oat Pecan Streusel Crust & Topping

• 1 1/2 cups quick cooking oats, uncooked
• 1 cup flour
• 2/3 cup butter, softened
• 2/3 cup dark brown sugar, packed
• 2/3 cup pecans, finely chopped
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1 tsp cinnamon

Pear Mixture

• 3-4 medium pears, peeled, cored & coarsely chopped
• 1/4 cup dark brown sugar, packed
• 2 Tbsp cornstarch
• 2/3 tsp cinnamon
• 1/4 tsp nutmeg

Cheesecake Filling

• 454 gm cream cheese, room temperature
• 1/4 cup brown sugar, packed
• 2 tsp pure vanilla extract
• 2 tsp pure almond extract
• 2 large eggs, room temperature

Salted Caramel Sauce - Optional

• 1 cup brown sugar, packed
• 1/2 cup half & half cream
• 1/4 cup butter,
• 3/4 tsp sea salt
• 1 tsp vanilla

Course dessert Cuisine American Keyword pear cheesecake w/ oat pecan streusel Servings MetricUS Imperial Ingredients Stained Glass Candied Pears 2 Bartlett or Bosc pears 2 cups water 2 cups sugar gel food coloring I used rust, red, teal & olive green but you can use whatever colors you prefer Oat Pecan Streusel Crust & Topping 1 1/2 cups quick cooking oats, uncooked 1 cup flour 2/3 cup butter, softened 2/3 cup dark brown sugar, packed 2/3 cup pecans, finely chopped 1 tsp baking soda 1 tsp cinnamon Pear Mixture 3-4 medium pears, peeled, cored & coarsely chopped 1/4 cup dark brown sugar, packed 2 Tbsp cornstarch 2/3 tsp cinnamon 1/4 tsp nutmeg Cheesecake Filling 454 gm cream cheese, room temperature 1/4 cup brown sugar, packed 2 tsp pure vanilla extract 2 tsp pure almond extract 2 large eggs, room temperature Salted Caramel Sauce - Optional 1 cup brown sugar, packed 1/2 cup half & half cream 1/4 cup butter, 3/4 tsp sea salt 1 tsp vanilla

Votes: 1 Rating: 5 You: Rate this recipe!

Instructions

Candied Pears

1. Preheat oven to 300 F.
2. Combine water & sugar in a large saucepan. Very thinly slice pears all the way across so that you have a cross section of an entire pear. When sugar is dissolved in the water on the stove, stir & add the pear slices to the simple syrup. Simmer for about 6-8 minutes or until you can almost see through pears. Remove from simple syrup with a tongs & lay flat on parchment paper lined baking sheet.
3. Mix about 2 tablespoons of simple syrup in a small cup with 2 drops of gel coloring of your choice. Prepare one bowl for each color you wish to use. Using a small clean paintbrush, lightly paint each pear slice as desired. Mottle colors a bit on each slice if using more than one color. Dap with a paper towel to remove excess moisture. Flip slices over and paint on the other side. Dap again with paper towel.
4. Bake the pears for 20 minutes, paint on some clear simple syrup, turn the slices over & paint the other side. Bake another 10 minutes, then repeat.
5. Remove from the oven & shape immediately if you do not want flat slices. Sprinkle with gold luster dust, if desired.

Streusel Crust & Topping

1. Preheat oven to 350 F. Line the sides of a 9-inch springform pan with parchment paper.
2. In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter with sugar until light and fluffy. Gradually add in the flour, baking soda & ground cinnamon. Toss in the oats & chopped pecans & combine well. Press half of the mixture into springform pan and bake for 8-10 minutes until slightly golden brown.

Pear Mixture

1. In a medium bowl, toss together the chopped pears with sugar, starch, cinnamon & nutmeg. Combine well & set aside.

Cheesecake Filling

1. In a large mixing bowl, cream together the cream cheese & sugar until smooth & creamy. Mix in the vanilla & almond extract. Add the egg & combine until smooth and creamy.
2. Pour cream cheese mixture onto the slightly warm crust. Spread pears over the cream cheese. Sprinkle the rest of the oatmeal streusel topping covering the pears, pressing down lightly.
3. Bake until slightly brown & center is set around 50 minutes. Cool completely & refrigerate overnight preferably.

Salted Caramel Sauce

1. Combine brown sugar, 1/2 & 1/2 cream, butter & salt in a saucepan over medium-low heat. Cook while whisking gently for a couple of minutes, until it slightly thickens. Add the vanilla & cook another minute. You are not cooking the sauce very long so it remains quite pourable. Turn off heat, cool slightly. Pour sauce into a blender & blend on high until sauce is 'creamy'. Refrigerate until cold.

Decorating/Serving

1. To decorate, place cheesecake on serving dish & arrange candied pears on top. When ready to serve, slice & drizzle salted caramel sauce over cheesecake.