This recipe was created and perfected by Kourtnee Stewart.
This Maytag Blue & Pear Cheesecake took the blue ribbon in the 2025 Maytag Dairy Farms' Cooking Competition at the Iowa State Fair! The sharp, creamy flavor of Maytag Blue Cheese perfectly balances the sweetness of the red wine pears for a truly delectable dessert.
Cheesecake Ingredients
- 2/3 cup walnuts, chopped
- 2 large eggs
- 2 Tbsp. heavy cream
- 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
- 4 oz. Maytag Blue Cheese wedge, room temperature
- 16 oz. full-fat cream cheese, room temperature
- 1/4 cup + 2 Tbsp. sugar
- 1 Tbsp. plain Greek yogurt
- 4 oz. Maytag Blue Cheese Crumbles, room temperature
Red Wine Poached Pear Ingredients
- 2 1/2 cups dry red wine
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 5 black peppercorns
- 3 whole cloves garlic
- 1 small star anise
- 1 orange peel
Blue Whipped Cream Ingredients
- 3 oz. Maytag Blue Cheese Crumbles
- 1 oz. full-fat cream cheese, room temperature
- 1/3 cup powdered sugar
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
Cheesecake Directions
Heat oven to 315 F. Coat an 8-inch springform pan with nonstick spray and line with parchment paper. Sprinkle chopped walnuts across the bottom of the pan and set aside.
Add eggs, cream, and vanilla into a small bowl and whisk until combined. Set aside.
Crumble Maytag Blue Cheese wedge and add to a large mixing bowl. Add the cream cheese and beat on medium speed for 4 minutes. Slowly incorporate the sugar until dissolved into the batter. Add the yogurt, then gradually pour in the egg mixture until combined.
Gently incorporate the Maytag Blue Cheese Crumbles with a spatula, then pour the mixture in the pan. Bake for 1 hour in a water bath. Turn off the heat, crack the oven door, and allow the cheesecake to cool completely, then refrigerate overnight uncovered.
Pear Directions
Place all ingredients in a saucepan and cover pears in red wine. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and allow to simmer for 20 minutes. Remove from heat and allow to cool. Transfer to a container, ensuring pears are fully submerged in wine. Refrigerate overnight.
Remove pears from liquid and pour through a sieve into a small saucepan. Bring to a boil and let wine reduce until thick and syrupy, around 15-25 minutes.
Blue Whipped Cream Directions
Whip the Maytag Blue Cheese Crumbles, cream cheese, and powdered sugar for 3 minutes on medium. Add vanilla, then set to medium low speed and incorporate heavy cream.
Once combined, beat for 2-3 minutes until the mixture has thickened. Transfer to a piping bag with a round tip and chill for 10 minutes prior to using.
To Serve
Move chilled cheesecake to a large serving plate. Decoratively pipe whipped cream across the cheesecake and drizzle with red wine reduction. Slice pears into small wedges and place on top or serve in a small bowl on the side.
Surround with accompaniments of your choice. We recommend whipped cream stuffed dates, cured meats, dried fruits, and walnuts!
