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Cream Cheese Custard Bars are the perfect blend of creamy, tangy cheesecake and rich, velvety custard all on a soft, buttery crust. These dessert bars are ideal for potlucks, holidays, or just when you need a sweet treat to impress. They’re easy to make and incredibly satisfying!
Prep Time
- Prep: 20 minutes
- Cook: 35–40 minutes
- Cooling/Chilling: 2–3 hours
- Total Time: ~3.5 hours (including chilling time)
Equipment
- 9×13-inch baking dish
- Mixing bowls (large and medium)
- Hand mixer or stand mixer
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Whisk
- Spatula
- Parchment paper (optional)
- Cooling rack
Ingredients
Crust:
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, melted
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
- 1/4 tsp salt
Cream Cheese Layer:
- 2 (8 oz) packages cream cheese, softened
- 2/3 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Custard Layer:
- 2 cups whole milk
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 3 large egg yolks
- 1/4 cup cornstarch
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Ingredient Notes
- Cream Cheese: Use full-fat cream cheese for the best texture.
- Milk: Whole milk creates the richest custard, but 2% works too.
- Cornstarch: Helps thicken the custard. Don’t substitute with flour unless necessary.
- Butter: Unsalted is preferred so you can control the salt level.
- Chilling: Don’t skip the chilling step—it’s what firms up the bars.
Instructions
Step 1: Make the Crust
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
- In a bowl, mix melted butter, flour, powdered sugar, and salt until a dough forms.
- Press the mixture evenly into a 9×13-inch baking dish (line with parchment if desired).
- Bake for 15–18 minutes, until lightly golden. Let cool slightly.
Step 2: Cream Cheese Layer
- Beat the cream cheese until smooth.
- Add sugar and beat again.
- Mix in eggs and vanilla until fully combined.
- Pour over the baked crust and spread evenly.
Step 3: Custard Layer
- In a saucepan, whisk together milk, sugar, egg yolks, and cornstarch over medium heat.
- Stir constantly until the mixture thickens and starts to bubble.
- Remove from heat and stir in butter and vanilla.
- Let cool for 10–15 minutes, then gently spread over the cream cheese layer.
Step 4: Bake and Chill
- Return the pan to the oven and bake for 20–22 minutes, until set but slightly jiggly in the center.
- Cool completely at room temperature.
- Chill in the fridge for at least 2 hours (or overnight) before slicing.
Nutrition Facts (Approximate, per bar if cut into 16 servings)
- Calories: 280
- Fat: 19g
- Saturated Fat: 11g
- Carbohydrates: 23g
- Sugar: 14g
- Protein: 4g
Tips and Variations
Tips:
- Let cream cheese soften fully before mixing to avoid lumps.
- Use a warm knife to slice cleanly.
- Don’t overbake – the center should have a slight jiggle.
Variations:
- Lemon Custard Bars: Add 2 tbsp lemon juice and zest to the custard.
- Berry Swirl: Drop teaspoons of berry jam into the cream cheese layer and swirl before baking.
- Coconut Topping: Sprinkle sweetened shredded coconut on top before baking for texture and flavor.
- Gluten-Free: Use a gluten-free flour blend for the crust.
