Aunt Claire brings these 4 ingredient wonders to every backyard cookout and somehow the tray is completely empty before the first round is over

To keep this true to the 4-ingredient spirit, any tweaks should build on the base recipe rather than add a lot of extra work. For a slightly less sweet bar, you can reduce the sugar to 2/3 cup without affecting the texture. If you like a stronger vanilla flavor, bump the vanilla up to 3 teaspoons. For a subtle twist, you can use vanilla bean paste in place of extract for those pretty specks. If you’re feeding a crowd, double the recipe and bake it in two foil trays side by side—this is very much a “disappears before the first round is over” kind of dessert.

To make slicing easier for a potluck, chill the bars fully, then cut them into bite-size pieces so people can grab one with their fingers. Food safety tips: Always use cream cheese that has been kept refrigerated and is within its expiration date. Soften it at room temperature for about 30–45 minutes, but don’t leave it out for more than 2 hours total.

Once baked, cool the bars, then refrigerate if you’re not serving them right away. At outdoor cookouts, try to keep the tray in the shade and limit the time the bars sit at room temperature to 2 hours (or 1 hour if it’s a very hot day). Store leftovers covered in the fridge and discard any bars that have been left out too long. If reheating individual pieces, warm them briefly in the microwave (about 10–15 seconds) just until slightly soft, not hot, to keep the creamy center from breaking.