Cinnamon Pear Almond Cream Cheese Cake

Ingredients

Crust

• 3 tablespoons butter
• 7 tablespoons (or ½ cup minus 1 tablespoon) sugar
• 3/4 cup flour
• 1/3 cup finely ground almonds (Not blanched)
• pinch of salt

Filling

• 8 ounces cream cheese
• 3 tablespoons sugar
• 1 egg
• 1/4 teaspoon almond extract
• 3 pears, cored, peeled, and sliced
• 2 tablespoons sugar mixed with 1-2 teaspoons cinnamon

Directions

Crust

1. Cream together the butter and sugar. Mix in the flour, ground almonds, and salt.
2. Press the crumbs into the bottom of a 10-inch springform pan.

Filling and Assembly

1. Preheat the oven to 425 degrees
2. Beat together the cream cheese and sugar. Add the egg and almond extract. Pour the filling over the crust.
3. Arrange the pear slices on top of the filling. Sprinkle the cinnamon sugar over the pears.
4. Bake the tart at 425 degrees for 10 minutes and then reduce the oven temperature to 350 degrees and continue baking for anther 15-20 minutes. Remove and place on cooling rack.
5. Once cooled, refrigerate overnight or for at least 5 hours before serving.