Pear Custard Bars

1/2 cup butter, softened
1/3 cup sugar
3/4 cup flour
1/4 teaspoon vanilla
2/3 cup chopped macadamia nuts
FILLING/TOPPING
1 pkg. (8ounces) cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
1 can (15 1/4 ounces) pear halves, drained
1/2 teaspoon sugar
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

In a mixing bowl, cream butter and sugar. Beat in the flour and vanilla until combined. Stir in the nuts. Press into a greased 8 inch square baking pan. Bake at 350 for 20 minutes or until lightly browned. Cool on a wire rack.
Increase the heat to 375. In a mixing bowl, beat cream cheese until smooth. Add sugar, egg and vanilla; mix until combined. Pour over crust. Cut pears into 1/8 inch slices; arrange in a single layer over filling. Combine sugar and cinnamon; sprinkle over pears.
Bake at 375 for 28-30 minutes (center will be soft set and will become firmer upon cooling). cool on a wire rack for 45 minutes. Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours before cutting. Store in the refrigerator. 16 bars