World Famous Recipes

Ginger Pear Pie

Ingredients
1/2 of 18-ounce tube refrigerated rolled sugar cookie dough
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon mild-flavored molasses
2-1/8 teaspoons ground ginger
1 package (8 ounces) light cream cheese, at room temperature
3 tablespoons sugar
1 can (15 ounces) ginger-flavored pear halves, well drained and thinly
sliced lengthwise OR: canned pears in heavy syrup, well drained and
sliced lengthwise
3 tablespoons currant jelly

Directions
1. Heat oven to 325 degrees F. Lightly grease bottom and sides of 9-inch glass pie plate.

2. Work together the cookie dough, flour, molasses and 1 teaspoon of the ground ginger with a wooden spoon in a bowl until well blended. (If the dough becomes too soft, refrigerate it to firm and make it easier to work with, about 10 minutes.) Press dough evenly over bottom and halfway up sides of pie plate.

3. Bake in 325 degree F oven for 20 to 25 minutes or until the center
springs back when lightly pressed with fingertip. Remove plate to wire
rack to cool completely.

4. Beat together the cream cheese, 1 teaspoon of the ground ginger and the sugar in a small bowl until well blended and smooth. Spread the mixture over the crust, leaving a 1/4-inch border. Arrange pear slices decoratively on top.

5. Heat together the currant jelly and the remaining ground ginger in a
small saucepan over low heat until melted. Lightly brush the jelly
mixture evenly over the pear slices. Makes 8 servings.