Light, fluffy, and indulgent—these Cream Cheese Custard Bars combine tender cake layers with a creamy custard filling for the ultimate dessert experience. Classic Cherry Delight is a timeless dessert featuring a buttery graham cracker crust, velvety cheesecake filling, and a luscious cherry topping.
There’s something special about a dessert that manages to be creamy yet airy at once. Cream Cheese Custard Bars deliver exactly that—pillowy layers of golden cake surrounding a smooth, rich cream cheese custard, all finished with a delicate dusting of powdered sugar. Each time I serve them, the compliments—and recipe requests—pour in before plates are even empty.
Best Cream-Filled Cake Recipe Ingredients
For the Cake Layers:
- 1 cup (200g) granulated sugar
- 1 cup (240ml) milk (room temperature)
- 1/2 cup (115g) unsalted butter, melted
- 3 large eggs
- 2 cups (250g) all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Pinch of salt
For the Cream Cheese Custard Filling:
- 8 oz (225g) cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup (100g) granulated sugar
- 2 cups (480ml) whole milk
- 4 tablespoons cornstarch
- 2 large egg yolks
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
For Garnish:
- Powdered sugar for dusting
Directions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Make the cake batter: Beat eggs and sugar until pale and fluffy. Add milk, melted butter, and vanilla. Sift in flour, baking powder, and salt, folding gently until smooth.
- Prepare the custard filling: In a saucepan, whisk sugar and cornstarch together. Gradually add milk while whisking. Stir in egg yolks and cook over medium heat until thickened. Remove from heat and blend in cream cheese and vanilla until creamy.
- Layering: Pour half the batter into the dish, spread the custard evenly on top, then cover with remaining batter.
- Bake: Bake 35–40 minutes, until golden and a toothpick inserted in the cake comes out clean.
- Cool and serve: Allow to cool completely before slicing into bars. Finish with a dusting of powdered sugar.
Tips & Variations
- Add a citrus twist: Stir lemon or orange zest into the custard for brightness.
- Chocolate lovers: Add a layer of ganache between custard and top cake layer.
- Holiday version: Mix cinnamon and nutmeg into the batter for a festive flavor.
- Serving tip: These bars taste even better after chilling overnight.
If you love indulgent bites, check out these Garlic Parmesan Cheeseburger Bombs for a savory pre-dessert treat.
Storage
- Room temperature: Up to 12 hours in a cool kitchen.
- Refrigerator: Store in an airtight container up to 4 days.
- Freezer: Wrap slices individually and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight.
Time & Yield
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Cooling Time: 1 hour
- Total Time: 2 hours
- Yield: 12–15 bars
Tools Used
- 9×13-inch baking dish
- Electric mixer
- Whisk
- Mixing bowls
- Saucepan
- Rubber spatula
Cream Cheese Custard Bars for Every Occasion
These bars are versatile enough for any event—special occasions or simple family treats. Pair with fresh berries for summer or caramel drizzle for autumn coziness.
Why Cream Cheese Custard Bars are the Perfect Make-Ahead Dessert
They can be prepared a day or two in advance without losing texture—actually improving as the custard sets. Ideal for hosting when you want stress-free, make-ahead desserts.
