Makeover Pear Cheesecake Recipes

Steps:

• Fill a roasting pan halfway with water and set on a rack in the lower third of the oven; position another rack in the middle and preheat to 325 degrees F. Wrap the outside (bottom and side) of a 9-inch springform pan with foil. Make the crust: Pulse the gingersnaps in a food processor until finely ground. Add the melted butter and brown sugar and pulse to combine. Press into the bottom and about 1 inch up the side of the prepared pan; set aside.
• Prepare the pears: Melt the butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the pears, sprinkle with the granulated sugar and cook, stirring occasionally, until the pears are tender and lightly browned around the edges, 5 to 7 minutes. Add the molasses and continue cooking until syrupy, about 2 more minutes; set aside.
• Make the filling: Beat the Neufchatel cheese and granulated sugar in a large bowl with a mixer on medium speed until smooth and creamy, about 2 minutes. Add the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Add the vanilla and flour and beat until just combined, then add the sour cream and beat until smooth, about 1 more minute.
• Pour the filling into the prepared crust. Gently arrange the pear slices on top; set aside any extra molasses syrup at room temperature for serving. Transfer the cheesecake to the oven, placing it on the middle rack directly over the water bath. Bake until lightly browned and set around the edge but the center still jiggles slightly, about 1 hour 15 minutes. Transfer to a rack and let cool to room temperature, then cover and refrigerate until cold and set, at least 6 hours or overnight. Let the cheesecake sit at room temperature 20 minutes, then run a thin knife around the edge and remove the springform ring. Drizzle with the remaining molasses syrup.

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350.
• Grease a 9 inch pie pan.
• In a small bowl, combine the flour, oats, brown sugar and cinnamon.
• Stir well.
• Stir in butter with a fork until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
• Press 2/3 of the mixture into the bottom of the pie pan and bake for 15 minutes Remove from oven.
• Beat the cream cheese with the granulated sugar, egg and vanilla until well blended Spread over the baked crust.
• Top with pear slices arranged in a decorative circular pattern and sprinkle with the remaining crumb mixture.
• Return to the oven and bake an additional 30 minutes Remove from oven, cool and refrigerate at least two hours before serving.

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 325°. Securely wrap a double thickness of heavy-duty foil (about 18 in. square) around and under a greased 9-in. springform pan. In a bowl, combine crushed gingersnaps and sugar; stir in 4 tablespoons butter, adding more as necessary. Press onto bottom and 1-1/2 in. up sides of prepared pan., Beat cream cheese until fluffy, gradually adding 2/3 cup honey, lemon juice and minced ginger root. Add eggs; beat on low speed just until blended. Fold in 1 cup chopped pears and raisins. Pour into crust. Place springform pan in a larger baking pan; add 1 in. hot water to larger pan. Bake until center is just set and top appears dull, 1-1/2 to 1-3/4 hours. Remove from oven; remove springform from water bath. , Cool cheesecake on a wire rack 10 minutes. Loosen sides from pan with a knife; remove foil. Cool 1 hour longer. Refrigerate overnight, covering when completely cooled. Remove rim from pan., In a large skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Add remaining honey and pears; cook and stir until pears are tender. Stir in pecans. Top cake with pear-pecan mixture.