Pineapple Dessert Squares

Total Time

Prep: 20 min. Bake: 55 min. + cooling

Makes

12-15 servings

Updated: Mar. 04, 2023
Expect to hand out the recipe when you bring this cheesecake dessert along to your next gathering. Crushed pineapple gives it a fun, tropical twist.—Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Greendale, Wisconsin

Ingredients

  • 6 tablespoons butter, softened
  • 5 tablespoons sugar
  • 1-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1-1/2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1 large egg
  • 2 to 3 tablespoons whole milk
  • FILLING:
  • 1 can (20 ounces) unsweetened crushed pineapple
  • 2 packages (8 ounces each) cream cheese, softened
  • 2/3 cup sugar
  • 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • 5 large eggs, separated
  • 2 tablespoons lemon juice
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • Whole milk
  • Ground cinnamon

Directions

  1. In a large bowl, combine butter and sugar. Combine flour and baking powder; add to butter mixture. Add egg; mix until well blended and crumbly. Add milk and blend until dough forms a soft ball.
  2. Pat dough onto bottom and 1-1/2 in. up sides of a greased 13-in. x 9-in. baking dish. Place pineapple in a sieve over a 4-cup glass measure; press with the back of a spoon to squeeze dry. Spread pineapple evenly over bottom crust, reserving juice in glass measure; set aside.
  3. In a large bowl, beat the cream cheese, sugar and flour. Add the egg yolks, lemon juice and vanilla; mix well. Add enough milk to reserved pineapple juice to measure 2-1/2 cups. Stir milk mixture into cream cheese mixture until well combined.
  4. In a large bowl, beat egg whites on high until stiff. Fold filling mixture into egg whites. Gently pour into crust. Sprinkle with cinnamon.
  5. Bake at 325° for 55 minutes or until filling is set. Cool completely on wire rack. Chill until serving.