Pear Custard Bars

1/2 cup butter or margarine, softened
1/3 cup sugar
3/4 cup all-purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
2/3 cup chopped macadamia nuts '

custard filling
1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup sugar
1 large egg
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 (15 1/4 ounce) can pear halves in natural juice, 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 oven temp 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.