My life has been more special ever since I learned to bake. I am still learning every time and I love every bit of it…even if it means I have tons of dishes to wash afterwards!🤣
A Little Background
Baking has been a therapeutic activity for me since 2014. It started as a way for me to move forward from a heartbreak. As years passed and as my heart healed, baking made me improve my focus and fueled my interest in making delicious baked goodies for my family. I didn’t have formal training nor did I instantly learn a lot of recipes. It has always been a trial-and-error process.
My affair with baking was on and off especially during hectic days at work. I also stopped baking when I moved out of my parent’s house after marriage and pregnancy. It’s not because I stopped loving baking but I didn’t have an oven at the apartment. Come December 2021 and super typhoon Odette made us move back into my childhood home. Baking kept calling me again. I’ve been baking every now and then . This further increased my interest in making yummy food especially for my son. And it's amazing that I’m still using the gas oven we had since I was in high school.
A Request from My Precious SONshine
Last Tuesday afternoon, my son kept asking me if he could eat the cheese we bought from the market. He has been asking me to bake some cheese bars last week and I kept saying I will do so within the week. Hence, after enrolling him to kindergarten last Monday, we went to the market to buy some of the ingredients I didn’t have. I purposely bought 2 boxes of Eden cheese (my go-to brand since childhood) because I know my son loves to eat cheese.
I’ve been baking cheese bars for many times and so far, my go-to recipe has never failed me. I recall watching a lot of YouTube baking videos and, being self-learned, I had to try, fail, and then try again. The moment I got it right, I never used another recipe for cheese bars. So on a Tuesday afternoon in August, I fulfilled my son’s request.
I would like to share this recipe to you my dear Hive friends.💜
The Ingredients
The ingredients are pretty simple. You will need:
200g unsalted butter or 200g margarine (I used Magnolia Butter-licious), room temperature
1 ½ cups white sugar
3 medium-sized eggs, room temperature
1 tbsp. vanilla flavoring/ vanilla extract (I used the McCormick brand)
2 ½ cups all-purpose flour, sifted
1 pack of cheese (I’ve always used the Eden brand), grated and divided into 1/3 and 2/3 parts
2 packs (33g each) of powdered milk (I used Bear Brand milk)
*Note that in lieu of butter, you may use margarine for this recipe. I’ve tried using good quality margarine--Buttercup and Baker’s Best, as well as Dari Crème, and the outcome was still delish.
Things You Also Need
Aside from an oven, you will need the following:
Measuring cups and a measuring spoon (tbsp.)
13x9 Baking tray (you may use any size provided that the batter will be at least 1 inch thick)
Parchment paper or baking paper
Mixing bowl
A spatula
An electric hand mixer (or you may use a sturdy medium/large whisk)
Cheese grater
Sifter/Fine-meshed strainer
The How To's
First, prepare all the ingredients. Remember, measuring your ingredients properly is important in baking.
Second, preheat the oven to 180˚ Celsius and line your baking tray with parchment or baking paper.
- In a bowl, cream the butter and sugar.
- Then, add the eggs one at a time
- Add 1 tbsp. of vanilla flavoring or vanilla extract. Mix till well-incorporated.
- Add the all-purpose flour. What I do at this point is to use a spatula and “fold” the mixture.
- Add the powdered milk and continue “folding” until there are no more traces of dry flour in the mixture.
- Then add the 2/3 of the grated cheese.
- Pour the batter into the prepared baking tray and spread evenly. The batter should be sticky and not runny.
- Sprinkle the remaining grated cheese on top.
- Bake at 180˚ in the oven for 20-25 minutes. I’m using a gas oven and I bake in the middle rack. I also needed an oven thermometer to make sure the temperature is accurate before and during baking.
- After baking, let it cool then slice into bars/squares of your desired size.
- In my case, this recipe yields 24 cheese bars/squares.
Remember:
- Check the cheese bars using a toothpick or a cake tester around 20 minutes into baking.
- Always use room temperature butter/margarine. Eggs need to be in room temperature as well.
And here it is, one of the home baked goodies that my son loves—cheese bars!
The Best Part
Baking takes patience, focus, effort, and love. I fell in love with baking the moment I saw my family members smile after tasting what I have made. There were times I failed and it wasn’t that easy to accept this at first. Later on, I understood that if I wanted to learn something, I should give it my best and keep trying. Practicing really helps (though it may be a bit expensive at some point 😅).
When I was still single, the best part of my baking journey was being able to successfully bake something. I don’t know why it makes me feel so good when the cake or cookie or pie comes out of the oven beautifully. I feel giddy when the taste is heavenly. Whenever I get the chance to bake something well, I always write the recipe down and I try baking the same thing several times till I can bake without looking at my notebook.
Now that I am a mother, the best part of my baking journey is when I am able to dedicate time, effort and love for baking. Why do I do that? I bet you know why.💜
Baking has made me feel closer to my son. It is one of the ways I show him my love. Whenever I see him enjoy what I baked, I take joy and pride in being his mother. I love baking even more when I get to bond with my son in the process. Though most of the time, the mess doubles. 😂Nevertheless, my son often helps me mix this and that, pour this to that. This strengthens our bond as we get to spend time together. This also helps me improve as I develop better patience and understanding. Baking has not only healed my heart in the past but it has also made me become more loving and more understanding. I guess, baking has made me a bit better than I used to be.💜 Thank you, dear Hivers, for reading my blog. I hope you’ll try baking some cheese bars soon! Try it and tell me how it goes.😊 Note: I personally took all the photos used in this blog using my phone. I used Paint 3D to add text in the photos. I also used Canva for the photo collage.
You must have the greatest tandem inside the kitchen ma’am. It makes the food more delicious since it is made with love and bond. I also want to bake a cheese bar, but is there any way to make it with less maintenance?😅
A great tandem indeed despite the extra mess haha. I guess that's the challenge that comes with baking or any cooking method--the mess. I don't know if we can really get away with all the dishes to wash afterwards haha 😅
I guess aftercare will also be fun since together you guys are filled with joy ma’am.💛
I do try to be more patient when cleaning up with my little one haha
Wow, looks yummy and delicious 😮. I would love to try this someday😉
Thank you miss. When you do, I hope you'll love this recipe. 💜
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Thank you very much @hivebuzz ! 😊
All good @lifewithchel! You're a true Hive champion! Onward to that new goal!
I'll keep trying to improve. Thank you 💜
Ohhh, cheese bars!😍 I know you have a lot in store when it comes to baking goodies for your loved ones Miss. For sure, it tastes better now that you have an assistent chef.🤗
Yes miss mabusog nalang pod ko nagtan-aw nga happy kaayo ang bata that his request was granted. 💜
I really love what you are doing @lifewithchel, you prepared personally snacks for your son. Keep waiting for your next blog.
Thank you ma'am. It took some effort but the results are fully rewarding. I hope I don't get too lazy to make something for my son hehe
Ka talented Naman sa mama oi.
Thank you ma'am. 😊
It looks so delicious sis. You know I so love cheese cakes, cheese bars, and all cheese made products. Honestly, I am craving now. Hehe. I want some. More delights to prepare.
Same here miss. Cheese lover all the way.😊
It's not only favorite of your kids but also me. Haha
Your cheese bars are tempting. How much is one loaf of that? 😁
Thank you ma'am. Free basta hive friends ma'am hehehe
I't looks so tasty and delicious. Thankyou for sharing 🤗 I will try this soon. ❤️
Thank you. Please tell me how it goes. I hope you'll love the recipe.😊
Nothing compares the happiness you feel when you do the things that can make your family happy! Thanks for this recipe on making cheese bars @lifewithchel.
I agree @missjoycee . There are light and warm feelings when you do things for the family. 💜
Thank you for sharing your baking story. Some people assume that some hobbies don't have a deeper reason or why we do them and yet the experiences that led us to doing them are of immense significance. I salute you for going back into one of your passion that bring you joy. hopefully, we can have a taste of those cheese bars soon.
Thank you very much @indayclara. Baking has healed me and now it continues to bring me joy. 💜
Looks delicious!! And your cutie baby obviously loves it. Thanks for sharing this recipe! Must try!
He is my number one fan. 💜 Thank you @ciadanmea !😊
Wooowwww... Thank u sooo muchh for this delicious cheese bar recipe!! As a cheese lover, i'd really really love it! I'll try to made this at home 😄
I'm glad you're a cheese lover, too. Please try this recipe and let me know how it goes. Thank you. 😊