Harvest Apple-Pear
Dessert
- 1/2 cup butter, softened
1/3 cup granulated sugar
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 (8-ounce) package cream cheese, softened
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup ground nuts, toasted* - divided use
3 tablespoons grated orange peel
3 tablespoons orange juice
1 large egg
- 2 medium apples, thinly
sliced
2 medium pear, thinly sliced
1/4 cup maple syrup
- Preheat oven to 375°F
(190°C).
- In a large bowl, beat
butter and 1/3 cup sugar with an electric mixer on medium speed
until light and fluffy. Add flour; beat until well blended.
- Spread dough onto bottom
and 1-inch up side of 9-inch springform pan.
- In a medium bowl, beat
cream cheese and 1/4 cup sugar with an electric mixer on medium
speed until well blended. Add 1/4 cup of the nuts, orange peel
and juice; mix well. Add egg; beat just until blended.
- Spread evenly onto bottom
of crust; top with sliced fruit. Drizzle with syrup; sprinkle
with remaining 1/4 cup nuts.
- Bake 40 minutes or until
center is almost set. Let stand 5 minutes.
- Run knife or metal spatula
around rim of pan to loosen cake; cool before removing rim of
pan.
- Refrigerate several hours
or overnight. Store in refrigerator.
Makes 10 servings.
*To toast nuts, place in
a shallow baking pan. Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 10 to
15 minutes or until nuts are lightly browned, stirring occasionally.
Cool.
Cook's Tip: Ground the
nuts in a food processor or blender.
