Ingredients:

  • 1 ½ cups (190g) all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting
  • ½ teaspoon (3g) baking powder
  • ¼ teaspoon (1.5g) salt
  • ½ cup (1 stick, 113g) unsalted butter, cold and cubed
  • 1/3 cup (67g) granulated sugar
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 8 ounces (227g) cream cheese, softened
  • ½ cup (1 stick, 113g) unsalted butter, softened
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 pound (454g) powdered sugar
  • Pinch of salt

Instructions:

  1. Combine dry ingredients for the dough in a bowl. Cut in cold butter until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Mix in sugar, egg, and vanilla until a dough forms.
  2. Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and chill for at least 30 minutes.
  3. Grease and flour (or line with parchment paper) the 9x13 inch baking pan. Press the chilled dough evenly into the bottom of the prepared pan.
  4. In a separate bowl, beat together softened cream cheese and butter until smooth. Add eggs and vanilla and beat until well combined. Gradually beat in powdered sugar and salt until smooth and creamy.
  5. Pour the filling evenly over the crust. Bake in a preheated oven until the filling is set around the edges but still slightly gooey in the center. (Check for a slight jiggle!)
  6. Let the cake cool completely in the pan before cutting into squares. Dust with additional powdered sugar before serving.