Maple and Cream Cheese Squares Recipe

Celebrate Canada Day the Canadian way

Summer is almost underway and Canada Day is fast approaching. If you’re looking for Patriotic menu inspiration, look no further. Nothing screams Canada more than maple. Now combine the deliciously sweet flavour of maple syrup with the rich and creamy texture of 100% Canadian Cream Cheese, and you have yourself the perfect Canada Day treat. These delectable Maple and Cream Cheese Squares will have your taste buds singing “O Canada” in no time.

As for Canuck-approved wine pairings, I can recommend a variety of different local varieties from Canada’s finest wineries in Niagara, Ontario. A Trius Dry Riesling will whet your appetite with its gushing juices. If that’s not your style, you can try a Pinot Noir from Inniskillin Wines. It’s a full-bodied wine with rich, cherry-berry flavour. It just doesn’t get more Canadian than that!

Ingredients:

¾ cup (180 ml) unbleached flour
¼ cup (60 ml) butter, at room temperature
¼ cup (60 ml) brown sugar
½ tsp (2 ml) baking powder
3 tbsp (45 ml) milk
8 oz (240 g) Canadian Cream Cheese, softened
1 egg
1 cup (250 ml) maple syrup
1 apple, finely diced

Topping:

¼ cup (60 ml) unbleached flour
¼ cup (60 ml) butter , at room temperature
¼ cup (60 ml) brown sugar
½ cup (125 ml) rolled oats

Preparation:

Preheat oven to 375oF (190oC).

Mix flour with butter, brown sugar and baking powder until smooth. Stir in milk and spread mixture out along bottom of a square 8” or 9” (20 cm or 22 cm) baking pan.

Whip Cream Cheese along with egg and maple syrup. Pour into pan over crust and top with diced apple.

In a bowl, stir together all ingredients for topping until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Spread over the Cream Cheese mixture in pan.

Bake in the oven for 30–40 minutes or until top is golden brown. Let cool and serve.