Individual Mini Poached Pear Cheesecakes

Name: Individual Mini Poached Pear Cheesecakes
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 35 min
Total time: 1 h 5 min
Yield: 9 serving(s)
Ingredients: 354.88 ml sugar, plus; sugar, for coating the ramekins; 29.58 ml pear brandy; lemon, zest of, three 1/2 inch wide strips; 3 inch cinnamon sticks; 1 vanilla bean, split; 2 star anise pods; 2 whole cloves; 2 ripe bartlett pears, peeled, halved lengthwise and cored; 680.38 g cream cheese, softened; 118.29 ml mascarpone cheese, softened; 7.39 ml vanilla extract; 3 large eggs, lightly beaten

Submitted by evelynathens

"A great little dessert for a very special occasion - or not. These cheesecakes are not difficult to make at all, are a great presentation, and one class act."

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Ready In:: 1hr 5mins
Ingredients:: 13
Serves:: 9

ingredients

354.88 ml sugar, plus
sugar, for coating the ramekins
29.58 ml pear brandy
lemon, zest of, three 1/2 inch wide strips
3 inch cinnamon sticks
1 vanilla bean, split
2 star anise pods
2 whole cloves
2 ripe bartlett pears, peeled, halved lengthwise and cored
680.38 g cream cheese, softened
118.29 ml mascarpone cheese, softened
7.39 ml vanilla extract
3 large eggs, lightly beaten

directions

In a saucepan, combine ¾ cup of the sugar with the brandy, lemon zest, cinnamon stick, vanilla bean, star anise, cloves and 1 ½ cups of water; bring to a boil over high heat, then add the pears; lower the heat, set a plate on the pears to submerge them and simmer until tender, about 3 minutes; transfer the pears to a plate to cool; boil the liquid until reduced to a syrup, about 4 minutes; strain and let cool.
Butter nine ½-cup ramekins and coat with sugar; trim the pears so that they’re 2 inches long, then slice them ¼ inch thick; fan the slices, overlapping slightly, in the prepared ramekins and add 1 tsp of the poaching syrup to each.
Preheat oven to 325°F.
Beat the cream cheese until light and fluffy; beat in the remaining ¾ cup sugar until smooth, then beat in the mascarpone; add the vanilla and then the eggs, one at a time; spoon the batter into the ramekins and set them in a roasting pan; add enough hot water to the pan to reach two-thirds of the way up the sides of the ramekins; bake for about 35 minutes, or until just set; transfer to a rack to cool, then refrigerate overnight.
Run a knife around each cheesecake and invert onto a plate; spoon a little of the reserved poaching liquid around each cheesecake and serve.