This Old Fashioned Cheese Squares Recipe would be a perfect snack to enjoy over a cup of coffee while you are chatting and catching up with friends and family this holiday season.
Old Fashioned Cheese Squares
Looking for a unique pastry to make this year for the holidays? We always love a good Cream Cheese Danish but this is a new recipe that we’ve been trying as well. Of course, I love it because I love anything with Cream Cheese!
I think your family will enjoy this recipe too. It has a few steps to follow but it’s worth it in the end!
Old Fashioned Cheese Squares Recipe
What You Need:
Dough
- 2 packages dry yeast
- 1/3 cup warm water
- 1 teaspoon granulated sugar
- 1 cup butter
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 4 eggs (separated)
Filling
- 3 (8 ounce) packages cream cheese
- 1 cup white sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
In a small bowl, mix yeast with water and 1 teaspoon sugar, set aside.
In a large bowl, cut butter into flour until mixture is crumbly.
Add egg yolks and yeast mixture and beat to blend.
Let rise in a warm place until it has doubled in size.
In another bowl, combine cream cheese, 1 cup sugar and vanilla extract, until smooth.
Pat out half of dough mixture on a cookie sheet with sides or a 9×13 pan. Spread with cream cheese mixture over top evenly.
Pat out the other half of the dough and cover cream cheese filling. Beat egg whites and spread on the dough.
In a bowl, combine 1 cup brown sugar, 1 cup all-purpose flour, and 1 stick butter to make the topping. Sprinkle over dough. Let rise for 1 hour. Bake for 30 minutes at 350 degrees.
If you want, you can also glaze with a powdered sugar/milk mixture.
Enjoy these delicious bars warm or cooled for snacks, dessert, or even breakfast! It pairs well with a nice warm cup of coffee.
Want to add this to your Recipe Binder? Print the cream cheese squares recipe below:
Old Fashioned Cheese Squares Recipe
Ingredients
Dough
- 2 packages dry yeast
- 1/3 cup warm water
- 1 teaspoon granulated sugar
- 1 cup butter
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 4 eggs separated
Filling
- 3 8 ounce packages cream cheese
- 1 cup white sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
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In small bowl, mix yeast with water and 1 teaspoon sugar, set aside.
-
In a large bowl, cut butter into flour until mixture is crumbly.
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Add egg yolks and yeast mixture and beat to blend.
-
Let rise in warm place until doubled in size.
-
In another bowl, combine cream cheese, 1 cup sugar, and vanilla extract, until smooth.
-
Pat out half of the dough mixture on a cookie sheet with sides or a 9x13 pan. Spread with cream cheese mixture over top evenly.
-
Pat out the other half of dough and cover cream cheese filling. Beat the egg whites and spread on dough.
-
In a bowl, combine 1 cup brown sugar, 1 cup all-purpose flour, and 1 stick butter to make the topping. Sprinkle over dough. Let rise for 1 hour.
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Bake for 30 minutes at 350 degrees.
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If you want, you can glaze with a powdered sugar/milk mixture.
Looking for more desserts to enjoy with your holiday guests? Here are a few you might enjoy:
Pumpkin Pie in a Jar
Canned Apple Pie Filling Desserts
Simple Pear Tart Recipe With Fresh Pears
Pumpkin Turtle Cheesecake
Old Fashioned Chocolate Pie
Homemade Strawberry Cake Recipe
Simple Coffee Cake
Check out all the Desserts and Treats on Little House Living!
If you love these Old Fashioned Cheese Squares you will absolutely love my book, Little House Living: The Make Your Own Guide to a Frugal, Simple, and Self-Sufficient Life. It features 130 recipes just like these that are perfect for your family!
What are some of your favorite pastries to make over the holidays?
This Old Fashioned Cheese Squares Recipe was originally published on Little House Living in November 2015. It has been updated as of November 2019.
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I really, really, REALLY need to make this! Droooooooooooooooooollll 🙂
What temperature do you bake these on? I looked 3 times for it,
350 degrees
Thank you…can’t wait to try them for my girlfriends next week.
I’m not seeing the oven temperature in the recipe. Do you bake it for 30 minutes at 350 degrees? Thank you!
Yes that is correct.
Thud!,,,these look heavenly. I will def try these an get back to you on how the turn out. Raspberry jam might end up here too. But first the originals. Your recipes are great. I know I don’t post a lot but I read it all the time.
These look yummy! Going to try. I ordered your new book, and received it today! I am very excited, can’t wait to get into it!?
These look amazing, Merissa – thanks! I think a vegan version might work with violife cream cheese in the centre, and a shortbread dough made with self raising flour… I am sure I will find an excuse to try it out over the holidays! Thanks again x
These sound so delicious. Thank you.
I’ve never tried cheese squares before, but I’ll have to soon! Thanks for sharing at Merry Monday, hope to see you in the new year!
Thanks so much for linking up to You’re gonna love it. Your post had the most clicks this week and you are being featured! Congrats.. And those look delish!
Looks yummy.
This looks interesting and delicious. It would be a great addition to the Christmas week menu. Thanks for posting.
These do sound like good old fashion comfort food! yum! 🙂
I haven’t had a cheese square in ages. Excited for the recipe! Thanks.
Hi Merissa, I’ve never heard of Cheese Squares before but they sound quite yummy! Thanks for sharing the recipe! Blessings, Janet
Your recipe looks yummy. Thanks for joining us at the Inspiration Spotlight party.Shared.
This is so simple that I think I could handle it! I’ll have to try it at some point over the next few weeks!
Thanks for linking up to the Merry Monday link party!
We hope to see you again next week!
Kate | TheOrganizedDream.com
Congratlations!
Your recipe is featured on our Top Ten Features at Full Plate Thursday this week. Hope you enjoy your new Red Plate and thanks so much for sharing with us!
Miz Helen
Wow! This looks so good! I’ve never heard of old fashioned cheese squares, but I’ve got to try this. I’m sure this would work with gluten-free flour as well. Thanks for sharing 🙂
I’m always looking for dishing like this to share when I go to parties! Thanks for sharing at #DIDI
Looks superb!
My mouth is seriously drooling. I love cream cheese too and this sounds like a treat that I would enjoy eating. Thanks for sharing on Merry Monday. Pinned.
These look lovely – I’ve never heard of them before, we don’t have them in England, that I know of. They’re sweet – yes? Like cheesecake is sweet?
Yes, these are sweet. Not overly sweet like a chocolate cake but still sweet. 🙂
Thank you for this recipe, it sounds delicious.
How much yeast is contained in 2 packages of dry yeast?
I have a large container of loose yeast granules, so I need to measure it out.
There are 2 1/4 teaspoons of yeast in each package.