Introduction:
Cream cheese custard bars are a delectable beauty with a delightful and sumptuous buttery pastry crust and a rich and smooth custard center. This desert is quite heavy and fills one up and is good for serving on any occasion be it a family event or just for an afternoon snack.
Ingredients:
For the crust:
1 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 cup butter, softened
1/4 cup powdered sugar
For the filling:
2 (8 oz) packages of cream cheese, softened
1 cup granulated sugar
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 cup milk or cream
For the topping (optional):
Powdered sugar for dusting
Fresh fruits (like strawberries or blueberries)
Instructions:
Prepare the Crust:
You can comfortably bake it at 180 degrees F ( 350 degrees C ) for 15 minutes or until done.
In a bowl, put the flour, add butter and powdered sugar and mix well until it looks like bread crumbs.
Fill in the bottom of a greased 9×13 inch cookie sheets with this dough evenly and smooth it out.
Allow the surface to be slightly brown, which would take about 15 mins to bake. Take out from the oven and leave for cooling.
Embake The Filling:
In a large bowl, cream together the confectioners sugar and the softened cream cheese.
Add one egg at a time in order to include each of them properly.
Add vanilla and milk (or cream) and blend it thoroughly until it is thick and creamy.
Bake:
Take the filling and pour it over the already baked crust and even it with a spatula.
Put back into the oven and afford 25-30 minutes or until light brown and the filling is firm.
Let it cool to room temperature, and then keep in the refrigerator for at least two hours.
Serve:
Cut into a square or into bars- dust powdered sugar and serve chilled, or with fresh fruit for decoration on top.
Hints for Success:
Do make sure that you soften cream cheese before mixing in the first place to prevent lumps in your custard.
Allow them to cool down properly before you cut them, otherwise it will be messy.
If you want thicker and richer custard, use heavy cream instead of milk and make the basbousa fewer calories.
Health Benefits:
Though this particular dessert is quite rich but cream cheese is also a source high in both protein and calcium. By choosing the low fat cream cheese and controlling the range of the dosage, this dessert could be rather less fatty.
Nutritional Value: (On daily basis)
Calories: 250–300 kilocalories
Proteins: 5 grams
Fats: 18 grams
Carbohydrates: 20 grams
Sugars: 15 grams
Fiber: 1 gram
Variations and Substitutions:
Crust options: Instead of the conventional flour crust addition one can opt for graham crackers or digestive biscuits for a change.
Add flavor: A bit of lemon zest or lemon juice around wouldn’t hurt to give it some zing.
Topping: For those with a sweet tooth, a little caramel or chocolate drizzle would be ideal.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):
Can I freeze these bars?
Absolutely! When once fully set, wrap the bars individually and after that place it in an airtight container and leave it in the freezer for as long as three months. However, let it sit in the fridge for some hours before serving.
What can I use instead of cream cheese?
For a little variation in texture and taste, Mascarpone or Ricotta cheese can be utilized in place of cream cheese.
How long can I store the bars in the fridge?
For about 5 days, these bars can be placed in the refrigerator. Wrap them in a plastic wrap or keep them in an airtight container to prolong their shelf life.
In summation:
Overall, cream cheese custard bars are a scrumptious dessert, with a filled interior and a crumbled base. Such bars can be served alone, or dressed with powder sugar or fresh fruits, and will always be appreciated. So simple and so varied, this dessert is right for any event and satisfies with deep fat sweetness.