Cream Cheese Squares😍
Ingredients:
For the pastry:
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup unsalted butter, cold and cubed
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/4 teaspoon salt
For the cream cheese filling:
8 ounces cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 large egg
Instructions:
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9x9-inch baking pan and set aside.
In a mixing bowl, combine the flour, granulated sugar, and salt for the pastry. Cut in the cold cubed butter using a pastry cutter or your fingers until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
Press half of the pastry mixture into the bottom of the prepared baking pan to form an even layer.
In another bowl, beat the softened cream cheese, granulated sugar, and vanilla extract for the cream cheese filling until smooth and creamy. Add the egg and mix until well combined.
Spread the cream cheese filling evenly over the pastry layer in the baking pan.
Crumble the remaining pastry mixture over the cream cheese layer, creating a crumb topping.
Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes or until the edges are golden brown and the center is set.
Remove from the oven and let the cream cheese squares cool completely in the pan.
Once cooled, cut into squares and serve.
These Cream Cheese Squares are best enjoyed chilled or at room temperature. Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator.