Cream cheese squares are the ultimate no-fuss dessert—gooey, golden, and rich with buttery layers that melt in your mouth. They’re as easy to make as they are irresistible.
With just a handful of ingredients, this recipe transforms everyday pantry staples into a decadent treat that’s perfect for potlucks, holidays, or late-night cravings.
Star Players in These Cream Cheese Squares
- Refrigerated crescent roll dough – Forms the tender, flaky crust and top layer, delivering buttery, golden layers without any fuss.
- Cream cheese – Softened and whipped, it becomes the luscious, tangy filling that defines these bars.
- White sugar – Adds the perfect sweetness, both inside the filling and across the cinnamon-sugar topping.
- Vanilla extract – Enhances the creaminess with a warm, aromatic depth.
- Butter – Melted and poured over the top, it creates a rich, crisp finish.
- Ground cinnamon – Blended with sugar, it brings a cozy warmth that pairs perfectly with the sweet filling.
Let’s Make These Gooey Cream Cheese Squares!
Start by pressing one can of crescent dough into the bottom of a greased pan—this forms your base. Whip up the cream cheese, sugar, and vanilla until smooth, then spread it across the dough.
Top the filling with another layer of crescent dough, this time laid gently without pressing it down. Pour melted butter over the entire surface, then dust generously with cinnamon-sugar.
Pop it into the oven and bake until the top is golden and crisp. Cool completely before slicing into rich, gooey squares of creamy indulgence.
Tips & Twists for Cream Cheese Squares
For a slightly tangier bite, swap in part of the cream cheese with mascarpone or sour cream. Want a fruity version? A thin layer of jam between the cream cheese and top dough adds delightful contrast.
Chilling the bars after baking makes them easier to slice and intensifies the creamy texture. For extra crunch, try sprinkling crushed nuts or graham cracker crumbs with the cinnamon-sugar topping.
These bars are extremely versatile—serve them warm for a gooey texture or cold for a cheesecake-like bite.
Keep ‘Em Fresh: Storing Cream Cheese Squares
Store leftover cream cheese squares in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days. They’re delicious straight from the fridge, but a quick 10-second zap in the microwave restores that just-baked gooeyness.
To freeze, wrap individual squares in plastic wrap and place in a freezer-safe container. Thaw overnight in the fridge or reheat gently in the oven for a revived texture and flavor.
Cream Cheese Squares
Ingredients
- ½ cup melted butter
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1¼ cups granulated sugar divided
- 2 8-ounce cans refrigerated crescent roll dough
- 2 8-ounce packages cream cheese, softened
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish thoroughly.
- Press one can of crescent roll dough evenly across the bottom of the prepared dish, ensuring full coverage.
- In a medium-sized mixing bowl, beat together the softened cream cheese, 1 cup of sugar, and vanilla extract until the mixture is smooth and creamy.
- Spread the cream cheese mixture over the crescent dough base in an even layer.
- Carefully unroll the second can of crescent dough and lay it on top of the cream cheese mixture without pressing down.
- Drizzle the melted butter uniformly over the entire surface.
- Stir together the remaining ¼ cup sugar and ground cinnamon, then sprinkle evenly over the buttered dough layer.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 25 to 30 minutes, or until the top becomes golden and crisp.
- Allow to cool fully before slicing into 24 uniform squares. Serve and enjoy.
