Cream Cheese Custard Bars

🌸 Introduction

Cream Cheese Custard Bars are the perfect harmony of silky custard and rich cream cheese nestled on a buttery crust. Each bite delivers a creamy, slightly tangy, and lightly sweet experience that feels indulgent yet comforting. These bars are ideal for family gatherings, festive celebrations, or simply as an afternoon treat with coffee or tea. Their simplicity in preparation combined with their decadent flavor makes them a timeless dessert favorite.

🥛 Ingredients

For the Crust:

2 cups graham cracker crumbs (or digestive biscuits, crushed)
½ cup unsalted butter, melted
¼ cup sugar

For the Cream Cheese Custard Filling:

16 oz (450 g) cream cheese, softened
1 cup sugar
3 large eggs
1 cup milk
1 tsp vanilla extract
2 tbsp cornstarch (for thickness)

For the Topping:

½ cup sour cream (optional, for tangy finish)
2 tbsp powdered sugar (for dusting)

📝 Instructions

Step 1: Prepare the Crust

Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
Mix graham cracker crumbs, melted butter, and sugar until crumbly.
Press firmly into a greased 9×13-inch baking pan.
Bake for 10 minutes, then set aside to cool slightly.

Step 2: Make the Custard Cream Cheese Filling

In a large bowl, beat softened cream cheese until smooth.
Add sugar and blend well.
Mix in eggs one at a time until incorporated.
Whisk in milk, vanilla, and cornstarch until creamy and lump-free.

Step 3: Bake the Bars

Pour the custard-cream cheese mixture over the baked crust.
Bake for 35–40 minutes, or until the center is set but slightly wobbly.
Remove from oven and cool completely.

Step 4: Add Topping (Optional)

Spread sour cream over cooled custard layer for a tangy finish.
Refrigerate for at least 2 hours before slicing into bars.
Dust with powdered sugar before serving.

🔨 Methods

Baking Method: Ensures the custard sets while maintaining a creamy texture.
Layering Method: Distinct layers (crust, custard, topping) provide balance of crunch, cream, and sweetness.
Chilling Method: Essential for bars to firm up and slice neatly.

📜 History

Custard-based desserts date back to medieval Europe, where eggs, milk, and sugar were luxuries used in noble feasts. Cream cheese, originally from England in the 1500s and later popularized in the U.S., became a staple in cheesecakes and baked bars. Cream Cheese Custard Bars are a fusion dessert, bringing together cheesecake traditions and custard’s timeless charm, simplified into convenient bars for modern kitchens.

🌱 Benefits

Protein & Calcium Rich: Thanks to milk, eggs, and cheese.
Crowd-pleasing: Ideal for gatherings and celebrations.
Portable: Easier to serve than a whole cheesecake.
Versatile: Can be topped with fruits, sauces, or nuts.

🏗 Formation

The dessert forms in three main parts:

Crust → buttery, crunchy foundation.
Custard-Cream Cheese Filling → smooth, rich centerpiece.
Topping → optional but enhances texture and flavor.

Each part contributes to the dessert’s delightful balance.

❤️ Lovers of Cream Cheese Custard Bars

Cheesecake lovers: A lighter, snackable alternative.
Custard enthusiasts: Enjoy the silky smoothness.
Hosts: Perfect to serve at buffets and potlucks.
Sweet-toothed romantics: Each bite is creamy comfort.

🏁 Conclusion

Cream Cheese Custard Bars are a blend of elegance and simplicity. With a crunchy crust, creamy custard filling, and optional tangy topping, they prove that sometimes the best desserts are born from combining the old and new. Perfectly sliceable and irresistibly creamy, these bars bring joy wherever they go.

❤️ Final Lovers & Conclusion

This recipe is for lovers of cheesecake, lovers of custard, and lovers of life’s sweet comforts. Easy to prepare, beautiful to present, and heavenly to taste—Cream Cheese Custard Bars will win hearts and satisfy cravings every single time.