from my Mom’s treasure chest: cheese squares.

*republishing for a new friend, Aikko. Hallo! :D

For as long as I can remember, my Mom had always made perfect dishes – baked or cooked. She and my Dad are the greatest when it comes to kitchen wonders, but if I had to choose between the two of them, my Dad would definitely come in the top place.

When I moved away for college, my Mom worried a lot on how I would deal with the newly-found independence. She was scared that I would be “lost.” I didn’t know a thing about cleaning and well, looking after myself. I grew up with a yaya (nanny) and I was always surrounded with aunts, uncles, and older siblings/cousins. She told me once while we were doing grocery shopping for stuff to bring to Manila, “Who’s going to wash your underwear?” It’s embarrassing to have the whole world know about that, but you get the gist.

I wasn’t born with a silver spoon in my mouth, but I was used to having someone clean up after me, do stuff for me, cook for me. My Mom knew that, that’s why she was worried if I’d make it through college.

Thankfully, I did. I did so well during my dormitory years that my Mom no longer had to worry about the little stuff. She was proud that my dorm room was clean on a spot checkup (she didn’t tell me they were visiting from the province). She didn’t argue with me if I went to faraway places on commute. In fact, they now reach out to me if they need commuting instructions. Hah. Yes, my Mom is mighty proud of me.

Moving out of the dormitory and renting my own place did not cause a stir in my Mom’s mind. Over the years, I have probably grown up way too much that she no longer worries about me. When I was starting out on my “living alone” escapade, I would regularly text her and my Dad asking for recipes of my favorite dishes and “how to” tutorials on household stuff.

I still do that until now. They’re more used to it, though. And when I go home, I immediately become the officer-in-charge of the kitchen. They let me work my wonders now. Can you believe that?! I still can’t.

Anyway, too much information for an introduction. I know. The recipe I am posting today is from my Mom, one of my favorites. This brings back memories of birthday parties, simple get-togethers, or just random lunch or dinner. She loves to host parties at home, and this is one of her popular treats. What is it?

Here you go.



They’re cheese squares. Cheese bars. Or even cheese cupcakes. My ultimate go-to recipe when all my baking feats are going downhill.

Cheese Squares
2 c all-purpose flour
1 c sugar
1/2 c butter, softened
1/2 can condensed milk
2 eggs
1/2 c grated cheese plus more for topping (you can use any kind, but I’d recommend good ol’ Cheddar)

Preheat oven to 175C. Grease and flour 8x8in pan or a bigger pan, if you have one. I don’t. Haha. 

Cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs one at a time, beating after each addition. Mix in flour, alternating with the milk, starting and ending with the flour. Fold in cheese and mix just until incorporated.

Pour batter into prepared pan until 2/3 full. Bake for 25 minutes, remove pan from oven and sprinkle top with grated cheese. Return pan to oven and bake for 5 to 10 minutes  or until sides and cheese topping are slightly brown. I baked mine for around 15 minutes, topped with cheese, then baked again for 5 minutes.

Cool on wire rack for about an hour before cutting.