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Cheesy Pastry Squares

These look like soft, buttery pastry bars with a creamy cheese topping and a cinnamon-sugar layer inside. Here’s a full homemade version you can make easily:


🧀 Cheesy Pastry Squares

📝 Ingredients

For the Dough

  • 2 ¼ teaspoons active dry yeast (1 packet)

  • ¾ cup warm milk (about 110°F / 43°C)

  • ¼ cup granulated sugar

  • 2 large eggs (room temperature)

  • ¼ cup unsalted butter, melted

  • ½ teaspoon salt

  • 3 cups all-purpose flour (more if needed)

For the Cinnamon Layer

  • ¼ cup brown sugar

  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

  • 1 tablespoon melted butter

For the Creamy Cheese Topping

  • 8 oz (225g) cream cheese, softened

  • ½ cup sweetened condensed milk (or ¼ cup sugar + 2 tbsp milk)

  • 1 egg yolk

  • ½ teaspoon vanilla extract

Optional Glaze (for shine like the photo)

  • 2 tablespoons sugar

  • 2 tablespoons water


👩‍🍳 Instructions

1️⃣ Make the Dough

  1. In a bowl, dissolve yeast in warm milk. Let sit 5–10 minutes until foamy.

  2. Add sugar, eggs, melted butter, and salt. Mix well.

  3. Gradually add flour until a soft dough forms.

  4. Knead 8–10 minutes until smooth and elastic.

  5. Cover and let rise 1 hour, or until doubled in size.


2️⃣ Assemble

  1. Grease an 8×8-inch baking dish.

  2. Roll dough into a rectangle slightly larger than your dish.

  3. Mix brown sugar and cinnamon; brush dough with melted butter and sprinkle mixture evenly.

  4. Fold dough in half (like a book) to create a cinnamon layer inside.

  5. Place into baking dish and gently press to fit.

  6. Let rise again for 30–40 minutes.


3️⃣ Add Cheese Topping

  1. Beat cream cheese until smooth.

  2. Add condensed milk, egg yolk, and vanilla. Mix until creamy.

  3. Gently spread over the risen dough.


4️⃣ Bake

  • Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 30–35 minutes

  • Edges should be golden brown and center set.


5️⃣ Optional Shine

Simmer sugar + water for 2–3 minutes and brush lightly over warm pastry for that glossy finish.


✨ Tips

  • Don’t overbake — you want the center soft and creamy.

  • Let cool 15–20 minutes before cutting for clean squares.

  • Best served slightly warm!


If you’d like, I can also give you a quick no-yeast version or a puff pastry shortcut version 😊

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