Creamy Fresh Pear Pie with Cream Cheese

Bake Time: 45 min.

Ingredients:

• 1 double pie crust
• About 1 1/2 lb. (4-5 pears) firm pears, peeled and sliced
• 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
• 1 14-oz. can sweetened condensed milk
• 3 oz. cream cheese (from a block)
• 2 tablespoons milk
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger

Topping

• 1 tablespoon butter, melted
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• 1/8 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 450.
2. Toss the sliced pears in the flour. Arrange them evenly over one pie crust. Set aside.
3. In a blender, combine the sweetened condensed milk, milk, vanilla, cinnamon, ginger, and cream cheese. Blend until smooth. Pour evenly over the pear mixture. Use the remaining pie crust to form the top of the pie (if desired, make a lattice top crust). Brush with melted butter and sprinkle with sugar and cinnamon.
4. Bake at 450 for 15 minutes, then reduce the heat to 350 and bake for another 30 minutes or until the crust is golden brown and the creamy mixture has thickened but not solidified. Remove from oven and cool to room temperature.  Serve with ice cream or whipped cream.