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    Home » Recipes » Filipino Cuisine

    Cheese Bars Filipino Recipe

    by Jolina | Published: August 16, 2021 | Last Updated: April 11, 2022 | 9 Comments
    This site contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. See Terms of Use for more information.

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    Filipino Cheddar Cheese Bars
    Cheese Bars Filipino Recipe
    Cheese Bars Filipino Recipe

    Cheese bars Filipino-style are the perfect sweet and salty treat. Tender but firm, easy to make, a childhood favourite.

    (Fan of sweet and salty treats? You will love the combination of sweetened cream cheese and creamy garlic butter in Korean cream cheese garlic bread.)

    Cheese Bars Filipino Recipe
    Jump To hide
    What are cheese bars?
    Why you’ll love Filipino cheese bars
    How to make cheese bars or cheese squares
    Easy recipe with step-by-step photos
    Recipe FAQs
    Other cheesy recipes
    Cheese Bars Filipino Recipe

    Cheese bars are a popular Filipino snack — texture like brownies, sweet and salty, oh-so-cheesy.

    I have fond memories of buying cheese bars from our school cafeteria. Those were thinner, cut into triangles like pizza (no idea why), with slightly burnt cheese on top. So good!

    My version is thicker, tender but still has that familiar bite to it, and you can put as much cheese on top of it as you want. 

    Let’s bake.

    What are cheese bars?

    These cheese bars are not cream cheese squares, cream cheese bars or cheesecake bars  (though I have this amazing pecan pie cheesecake bars you must try). 

    There’s no cream cheese mixture because there’s no cream cheese and we’re not making a cheesecake (though try ube cheesecake if you’re in a cheesecake rut). 

    This recipe is, quite literally, for bars made with good old fashioned cheddar cheese for a unique, delicious, sweet and salty party. 

    Why you’ll love Filipino cheese bars

    Cheese Bars Filipino Recipe

    Despite the absence of cream cheese, you’ll love Filipino cheese bars because:

    • They’re sweet and salty. Not too sweet, not too salty, just the perfect balance that’ll make you want more.
    • The recipe is easy. This is not a finicky recipe. It’s easy to follow and pretty hard to mess up.
    • The cheese bars travel well. You can bring them with you to picnics and potlucks, pack them in a lunch box, give them out as gifts.
    • And they taste just like how you remember them. Best of all, if you’ve had cheese bars at your school too, these taste just like them. But better.

    How to make cheese bars or cheese squares

    Cheese Bars Filipino Recipe

    These cheddar bars are easy to make, and even easier to eat.

    Ingredients

    To make this cheese bars recipe, you’ll need:

    • Unsalted butter
    • Granulated sugar
    • Brown sugar
    • Eggs
    • Vanilla extract
    • Powdered milk — see FAQs below for more info
    • Cheese — cheddar cheese is best; if not available, make sure you choose a firm/hard and sharp cheese for this recipe
    • All purpose flour

    Baking tools

    I use my stand mixer to mix the batter but you can also use a handheld electric mixer. It will be challenging to stir by hand because the batter is sticky and thick.

    Other than that, you’ll need the following:

    • 9×13 inch baking pan
    • Cheese grater — or you could use pre-shredded cheese like I do
    • Measuring cups and spoons
    • Bench scraper to cut the bars but a sharp knife will do too

    I also always recommend using a kitchen scale to weigh your ingredients and an oven thermometer to make sure you’re always baking at the correct temperature.

    Easy recipe with step-by-step photos

    1 PREP. Preheat oven to 350F and lightly grease a 9×13 inch baking pan. Line the pan with parchment paper with a slight overhang on each side.

    2 BEAT. In a large bowl using a handheld electric mixer, or using a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat butter, granulated sugar and brown sugar on medium-high speed until light and fluffy.

    Cream butter and sugars
    Cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy

    3 EGGS. Add eggs one at a time, making sure each addition is incorporated.

    Add eggs one at a time
    Stir until well blended

    4 POWDERED MILK. Stir in vanilla extract and powdered milk until well blended.

    Add powdered milk and vanilla extract
    Stir until incorporated

    5 CHEESE. Add in the cheese and stir until combined.

    Add cheddar cheese
    Stir until well blended

    6 FLOUR. Add the flour in thirds and stir just until combined. Don’t over mix. Remember to scrape the bottom and sides of your bowl in each step. 

    Add all purpose flour
    Stir in flour just until combined

    7 TRANSFER. Transfer the batter into your prepared pan, spread evenly and sprinkle with more cheese on top. I usually just ensure the whole top is properly covered however, you can add as much cheese on your cheese layer as you like.

    Transfer batter to prepared pan
    Sprinkle cheddar cheese on top

    8 BAKE. Bake for 20-25 minutes or until the bars turn golden brown on the edges, look matte and dry, and a toothpick inserted in the centre comes out with minimal dry crumbs.

    9 COOL. Allow the bars to cool in the pan before slicing. Cut them into bars or squares, or even triangles if you’re feeling sentimental. Enjoy!

    Recipe FAQs

    Cheese Bars Filipino Recipe

    Easy, right? Here are more baking tips and FAQs to make this recipe that much easier to make.

    Where can I buy powdered milk?


    Powdered milk (or sometimes called skim milk powder) is nutritionally equivalent to fresh milk and is relatively non-perishable, less expensive and easier to store (source). It’s great to use in baking.
    You can usually find it in the baking aisle and not in the dairy section.

    Can I use regular milk instead of powdered milk?


    In general, when baking, you can substitute milk for powdered milk using a ratio of 1:4, i.e. 1 cup of milk for every ¼ cup of powdered milk.

    However, in this recipe, that will introduce too much liquid. I don’t recommend using regular milk in this instance.

    Storage and shelf life


    You can keep these sweet and salty bars on the counter, in an airtight container. They should keep for up to 3 days but note that they become crumblier as they sit.

    You can also keep them in the fridge. Enjoy them chilled, bring them out to come down to room temperature, or choose to warm them for a few seconds in the microwave.

    Other cheesy recipes

    Hokkaido cheese tarts on a serving platter.
    Hokkaido Cheese Tarts
    Lemon Cream Cheese Puff Pastry
    Lemon Cream Cheese Puff Pastry Braid
    Jalapeño Cheddar Waffles
    Jalapeño Cheddar Waffles with Fried Egg
    Ensaymada Recipe
    The Best Ensaymada Recipe

    Love everything cheesy, sweet and savoury? Try these other recipes where cheese is the star:

    • Creamy cheese custard inside a buttery crust. These Hokkaido cheese tarts are luxurious and incredibly delicious.
    • Lemon cream cheese puff pastry braid is a delicious, lemony, buttery treat perfect with your morning coffee or afternoon tea. Made with ready-made puff pastry and a luxurious lemon cream cheese filling.
    • Treat yourself to these scrumptious jalapeño cheddar waffles. Top them with fried egg and start the day right.
    • This is the best ensaymada recipe that’s simple to follow so you can make soft, sweet, cheesy ensaymada at home any time.
    Cheese Bars Filipino Recipe

    Cheese Bars Filipino Recipe

    Author: Jolina
    Cheese bars Filipino-style are the perfect sweet and salty treat. Tender but firm, easy to make, a childhood favourite.
    5 from 7 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 30 mins
    Cook Time 25 mins
    Total Time 55 mins
    Course Dessert, Snack
    Cuisine Filipino
    Servings 32 bars
    Calories 149 kcal

    Equipment

    • 9×13 Baking Pan
    • Cheese Grater
    • Stand Mixer
    • Hand Mixer

    Ingredients
     
     

    • 1 cup unsalted butter room temperature
    • 1 cup granulated sugar
    • ½ cup brown sugar
    • 3 pcs large eggs room temperature
    • 1 tbsp vanilla extract
    • ½ cup powdered milk
    • 4 oz shredded cheddar cheese about 1 cup, more for topping
    • 2½ cups all-purpose flour

    Instructions
     

    • Preheat oven to 350F and lightly grease a 9×13 inch baking pan. Line the pan with parchment paper with a slight overhang on each side.
    • In a large bowl using a handheld electric mixer, or using a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat 1 cup unsalted butter, 1 cup granulated sugar and ½ cup brown sugar on medium-high speed until light and fluffy.
      Cream butter and sugars
    • Add eggs one at a time, making sure each addition is incorporated.
      Add eggs one at a time
    • Stir in 1 tbsp vanilla extract and ½ cup powdered milk until well blended.
      Add powdered milk and vanilla extract
    • Add in the cheese and stir until combined.
      Add cheddar cheese
    • Add the flour in thirds and stir just until combined. The batter will be thick and sticky but don’t over mix. And remember to scrape the bottom and sides of your bowl in each step. 
      Add all purpose flour
    • Transfer the batter into your prepared pan, spread evenly and sprinkle with more cheese on top (see notes).
      Sprinkle cheddar cheese on top
    • Bake for 20-25 minutes or until the bars turn golden brown on the edges, look matte and dry, and a toothpick inserted in the centre comes out with minimal dry crumbs.
    • Allow the bars to cool in the pan before slicing. Enjoy!

    Video

    Notes

    1. Total yield depends on how big or small you slice your bars.
    2. For the cheese topping: I usually just ensure the whole top is properly covered however, you can add as much cheese on your cheese layer as you like.
    3. See post for complete step-by-step photos, more baking tips and FAQs.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 149kcalCarbohydrates: 18gProtein: 2gFat: 8gSaturated Fat: 5gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 2gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 21mgSodium: 32mgPotassium: 48mgFiber: 1gSugar: 10gVitamin A: 232IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 50mgIron: 1mg

    Nutritional information are estimates only.

    Tried this recipe? Leave a star rating today!Also tag @iamtheunlikelybaker I’d love to see your creations.

    Happy baking!

    Did you make cheddar cheese bars? I’d love to hear from you in the comments section below.

    And let’s get social! Find me on Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram, Twitter and YouTube.

    More Filipino Cuisine

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Antoi

      October 14, 2021 at 4:50 pm

      5 stars
      These were delicious and just like I remember them! Blast from the past 🙂 Thanks for the recipe and the trip down memory lane.

      Reply
      • Jolina

        October 21, 2021 at 9:32 am

        You are most welcome! Glad you liked them 🙂

        Reply
      • Liz

        July 01, 2022 at 8:38 am

        @Jolina, this is so yummy, kaya lang na overbake ko yata ung saken kc mejo dry.

        Reply
        • Jolina

          July 11, 2022 at 9:56 am

          Hi Liz, these are really supposed to be on the drier side, not as moist as brownies.

          Reply
    2. Clarissa

      August 30, 2021 at 1:41 pm

      Yes I remember cheese bars they’re thin with yummy burnt cheese. Yours look much better than my memory lol. Can’t wait to make these. Thanks xx

      Reply
    3. Rachelle

      August 27, 2021 at 10:51 am

      I’ve never had these kinds of cheese bars before. Looks so good! I’m always up for something salty and sweet.

      Reply
    4. Shar

      August 27, 2021 at 5:12 am

      Wow! I already love cheese too much and now I get to know about your recipe!! It’s an interesting mouth-watering one.

      Reply
    5. Stephanie

      August 25, 2021 at 9:46 am

      5 stars
      Oh my gosh, these are delicious! I made these for a snack and my boys devoured them.

      Reply
      • Jolina

        August 31, 2021 at 9:26 am

        Glad you liked them!

        Reply

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    Hi, I'm Jolina! And I'm definitely a late bloomer, a thoroughly unexpected baker.

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