diff --git a/bake/hclparser/body.go b/bake/hclparser/body.go
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..be5b3dd8
--- /dev/null
+++ b/bake/hclparser/body.go
@@ -0,0 +1,103 @@
+package hclparser
+
+import (
+	"github.com/hashicorp/hcl/v2"
+)
+
+type filterBody struct {
+	body    hcl.Body
+	schema  *hcl.BodySchema
+	exclude bool
+}
+
+func FilterIncludeBody(body hcl.Body, schema *hcl.BodySchema) hcl.Body {
+	return &filterBody{
+		body:   body,
+		schema: schema,
+	}
+}
+
+func FilterExcludeBody(body hcl.Body, schema *hcl.BodySchema) hcl.Body {
+	return &filterBody{
+		body:    body,
+		schema:  schema,
+		exclude: true,
+	}
+}
+
+func (b *filterBody) Content(schema *hcl.BodySchema) (*hcl.BodyContent, hcl.Diagnostics) {
+	if b.exclude {
+		schema = subtractSchemas(schema, b.schema)
+	} else {
+		schema = intersectSchemas(schema, b.schema)
+	}
+	content, _, diag := b.body.PartialContent(schema)
+	return content, diag
+}
+
+func (b *filterBody) PartialContent(schema *hcl.BodySchema) (*hcl.BodyContent, hcl.Body, hcl.Diagnostics) {
+	if b.exclude {
+		schema = subtractSchemas(schema, b.schema)
+	} else {
+		schema = intersectSchemas(schema, b.schema)
+	}
+	return b.body.PartialContent(schema)
+}
+
+func (b *filterBody) JustAttributes() (hcl.Attributes, hcl.Diagnostics) {
+	return b.body.JustAttributes()
+}
+
+func (b *filterBody) MissingItemRange() hcl.Range {
+	return b.body.MissingItemRange()
+}
+
+func intersectSchemas(a, b *hcl.BodySchema) *hcl.BodySchema {
+	result := &hcl.BodySchema{}
+	for _, blockA := range a.Blocks {
+		for _, blockB := range b.Blocks {
+			if blockA.Type == blockB.Type {
+				result.Blocks = append(result.Blocks, blockA)
+				break
+			}
+		}
+	}
+	for _, attrA := range a.Attributes {
+		for _, attrB := range b.Attributes {
+			if attrA.Name == attrB.Name {
+				result.Attributes = append(result.Attributes, attrA)
+				break
+			}
+		}
+	}
+	return result
+}
+
+func subtractSchemas(a, b *hcl.BodySchema) *hcl.BodySchema {
+	result := &hcl.BodySchema{}
+	for _, blockA := range a.Blocks {
+		found := false
+		for _, blockB := range b.Blocks {
+			if blockA.Type == blockB.Type {
+				found = true
+				break
+			}
+		}
+		if !found {
+			result.Blocks = append(result.Blocks, blockA)
+		}
+	}
+	for _, attrA := range a.Attributes {
+		found := false
+		for _, attrB := range b.Attributes {
+			if attrA.Name == attrB.Name {
+				found = true
+				break
+			}
+		}
+		if !found {
+			result.Attributes = append(result.Attributes, attrA)
+		}
+	}
+	return result
+}
diff --git a/bake/hclparser/hclparser.go b/bake/hclparser/hclparser.go
index bfd3652f..ac1f248e 100644
--- a/bake/hclparser/hclparser.go
+++ b/bake/hclparser/hclparser.go
@@ -13,6 +13,7 @@ import (
 	"github.com/hashicorp/hcl/v2/gohcl"
 	"github.com/pkg/errors"
 	"github.com/zclconf/go-cty/cty"
+	"github.com/zclconf/go-cty/cty/gocty"
 )
 
 type Opt struct {
@@ -48,11 +49,17 @@ type parser struct {
 	attrs map[string]*hcl.Attribute
 	funcs map[string]*functionDef
 
+	blocks      map[string]map[string][]*hcl.Block
+	blockValues map[*hcl.Block]reflect.Value
+	blockTypes  map[string]reflect.Type
+
 	ectx *hcl.EvalContext
 
 	progress  map[string]struct{}
 	progressF map[string]struct{}
+	progressB map[*hcl.Block]map[string]struct{}
 	doneF     map[string]struct{}
+	doneB     map[*hcl.Block]map[string]struct{}
 }
 
 func (p *parser) loadDeps(exp hcl.Expression, exclude map[string]struct{}) hcl.Diagnostics {
@@ -79,15 +86,69 @@ func (p *parser) loadDeps(exp hcl.Expression, exclude map[string]struct{}) hcl.D
 		if _, ok := exclude[v.RootName()]; ok {
 			continue
 		}
-		if err := p.resolveValue(v.RootName()); err != nil {
-			return hcl.Diagnostics{
-				&hcl.Diagnostic{
-					Severity: hcl.DiagError,
-					Summary:  "Invalid expression",
-					Detail:   err.Error(),
-					Subject:  v.SourceRange().Ptr(),
-					Context:  v.SourceRange().Ptr(),
-				},
+		if _, ok := p.blockTypes[v.RootName()]; ok {
+			blockType := v.RootName()
+
+			split := v.SimpleSplit().Rel
+			if len(split) == 0 {
+				return hcl.Diagnostics{
+					&hcl.Diagnostic{
+						Severity: hcl.DiagError,
+						Summary:  "Invalid expression",
+						Detail:   fmt.Sprintf("cannot access %s as a variable", blockType),
+						Subject:  exp.Range().Ptr(),
+						Context:  exp.Range().Ptr(),
+					},
+				}
+			}
+			blockName, ok := split[0].(hcl.TraverseAttr)
+			if !ok {
+				return hcl.Diagnostics{
+					&hcl.Diagnostic{
+						Severity: hcl.DiagError,
+						Summary:  "Invalid expression",
+						Detail:   fmt.Sprintf("cannot traverse %s without attribute", blockType),
+						Subject:  exp.Range().Ptr(),
+						Context:  exp.Range().Ptr(),
+					},
+				}
+			}
+			blocks := p.blocks[blockType][blockName.Name]
+			if len(blocks) == 0 {
+				continue
+			}
+
+			var target *hcl.BodySchema
+			if len(split) > 1 {
+				if attr, ok := split[1].(hcl.TraverseAttr); ok {
+					target = &hcl.BodySchema{
+						Attributes: []hcl.AttributeSchema{{Name: attr.Name}},
+						Blocks:     []hcl.BlockHeaderSchema{{Type: attr.Name}},
+					}
+				}
+			}
+			if err := p.resolveBlock(blocks[0], target); err != nil {
+				return hcl.Diagnostics{
+					&hcl.Diagnostic{
+						Severity: hcl.DiagError,
+						Summary:  "Invalid expression",
+						Detail:   err.Error(),
+						Subject:  v.SourceRange().Ptr(),
+						Context:  v.SourceRange().Ptr(),
+					},
+				}
+			}
+		} else {
+			if err := p.resolveValue(v.RootName()); err != nil {
+				return hcl.Diagnostics{
+					&hcl.Diagnostic{
+						Severity: hcl.DiagError,
+						Summary:  "Invalid expression",
+						Detail:   err.Error(),
+						Subject:  v.SourceRange().Ptr(),
+						Context:  v.SourceRange().Ptr(),
+					},
+				}
 			}
 		}
 	}
@@ -95,6 +156,8 @@ func (p *parser) loadDeps(exp hcl.Expression, exclude map[string]struct{}) hcl.D
 	return nil
 }
 
+// resolveFunction forces evaluation of a function, storing the result into the
+// parser.
 func (p *parser) resolveFunction(name string) error {
 	if _, ok := p.doneF[name]; ok {
 		return nil
@@ -170,6 +233,8 @@ func (p *parser) resolveFunction(name string) error {
 	return nil
 }
 
+// resolveValue forces evaluation of a named value, storing the result into the
+// parser.
 func (p *parser) resolveValue(name string) (err error) {
 	if _, ok := p.ectx.Variables[name]; ok {
 		return nil
@@ -248,6 +313,157 @@ func (p *parser) resolveValue(name string) (err error) {
 	return nil
 }
 
+// resolveBlock force evaluates a block, storing the result in the parser. If a
+// target schema is provided, only the attributes and blocks present in the
+// schema will be evaluated.
+func (p *parser) resolveBlock(block *hcl.Block, target *hcl.BodySchema) (err error) {
+	name := block.Labels[0]
+	if err := p.opt.ValidateLabel(name); err != nil {
+		return hcl.Diagnostics{
+			&hcl.Diagnostic{
+				Severity: hcl.DiagError,
+				Summary:  "Invalid name",
+				Detail:   err.Error(),
+				Subject:  &block.LabelRanges[0],
+			},
+		}
+	}
+
+	if _, ok := p.doneB[block]; !ok {
+		p.doneB[block] = map[string]struct{}{}
+	}
+	if _, ok := p.progressB[block]; !ok {
+		p.progressB[block] = map[string]struct{}{}
+	}
+
+	if target != nil {
+		// filter out attributes and blocks that are already evaluated
+		original := target
+		target = &hcl.BodySchema{}
+		for _, a := range original.Attributes {
+			if _, ok := p.doneB[block][a.Name]; !ok {
+				target.Attributes = append(target.Attributes, a)
+			}
+		}
+		for _, b := range original.Blocks {
+			if _, ok := p.doneB[block][b.Type]; !ok {
+				target.Blocks = append(target.Blocks, b)
+			}
+		}
+		if len(target.Attributes) == 0 && len(target.Blocks) == 0 {
+			return nil
+		}
+	}
+
+	if target != nil {
+		// detect reference cycles
+		for _, a := range target.Attributes {
+			if _, ok := p.progressB[block][a.Name]; ok {
+				return errors.Errorf("reference cycle not allowed for %s.%s.%s", block.Type, name, a.Name)
+			}
+		}
+		for _, b := range target.Blocks {
+			if _, ok := p.progressB[block][b.Type]; ok {
+				return errors.Errorf("reference cycle not allowed for %s.%s.%s", block.Type, name, b.Type)
+			}
+		}
+		for _, a := range target.Attributes {
+			p.progressB[block][a.Name] = struct{}{}
+		}
+		for _, b := range target.Blocks {
+			p.progressB[block][b.Type] = struct{}{}
+		}
+	}
+
+	// create a filtered body that contains only the target properties
+	body := func() hcl.Body {
+		if target != nil {
+			return FilterIncludeBody(block.Body, target)
+		}
+
+		filter := &hcl.BodySchema{}
+		for k := range p.doneB[block] {
+			filter.Attributes = append(filter.Attributes, hcl.AttributeSchema{Name: k})
+			filter.Blocks = append(filter.Blocks, hcl.BlockHeaderSchema{Type: k})
+		}
+		return FilterExcludeBody(block.Body, filter)
+	}
+
+	// load dependencies from all targeted properties
+	t, ok := p.blockTypes[block.Type]
+	if !ok {
+		return nil
+	}
+	schema, _ := gohcl.ImpliedBodySchema(reflect.New(t).Interface())
+	content, _, diag := body().PartialContent(schema)
+	if diag.HasErrors() {
+		return diag
+	}
+	for _, a := range content.Attributes {
+		diag := p.loadDeps(a.Expr, nil)
+		if diag.HasErrors() {
+			return diag
+		}
+	}
+	for _, b := range content.Blocks {
+		err := p.resolveBlock(b, nil)
+		if err != nil {
+			return err
+		}
+	}
+
+	// decode!
+	var output reflect.Value
+	if prev, ok := p.blockValues[block]; ok {
+		output = prev
+	} else {
+		output = reflect.New(t)
+		setLabel(output, block.Labels[0]) // early attach labels, so we can reference them
+	}
+	diag = gohcl.DecodeBody(body(), p.ectx, output.Interface())
+	if diag.HasErrors() {
+		return diag
+	}
+	p.blockValues[block] = output
+
+	// mark all targeted properties as done
+	for _, a := range content.Attributes {
+		p.doneB[block][a.Name] = struct{}{}
+	}
+	for _, b := range content.Blocks {
+		p.doneB[block][b.Type] = struct{}{}
+	}
+	if target != nil {
+		for _, a := range target.Attributes {
+			p.doneB[block][a.Name] = struct{}{}
+		}
+		for _, b := range target.Blocks {
+			p.doneB[block][b.Type] = struct{}{}
+		}
+	}
+
+	// store the result into the evaluation context (so if can be referenced)
+	outputType, err := gocty.ImpliedType(output.Interface())
+	if err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+	outputValue, err := gocty.ToCtyValue(output.Interface(), outputType)
+	if err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+	var m map[string]cty.Value
+	if m2, ok := p.ectx.Variables[block.Type]; ok {
+		m = m2.AsValueMap()
+	}
+	if m == nil {
+		m = map[string]cty.Value{}
+	}
+	m[name] = outputValue
+	p.ectx.Variables[block.Type] = cty.MapVal(m)
+
+	return nil
+}
+
 func Parse(b hcl.Body, opt Opt, val interface{}) hcl.Diagnostics {
 	reserved := map[string]struct{}{}
 	schema, _ := gohcl.ImpliedBodySchema(val)
@@ -284,9 +500,16 @@ func Parse(b hcl.Body, opt Opt, val interface{}) hcl.Diagnostics {
 		attrs: map[string]*hcl.Attribute{},
 		funcs: map[string]*functionDef{},
 
+		blocks:      map[string]map[string][]*hcl.Block{},
+		blockValues: map[*hcl.Block]reflect.Value{},
+		blockTypes:  map[string]reflect.Type{},
+
 		progress:  map[string]struct{}{},
 		progressF: map[string]struct{}{},
-		doneF:     map[string]struct{}{},
+		progressB: map[*hcl.Block]map[string]struct{}{},
+
+		doneF: map[string]struct{}{},
+		doneB: map[*hcl.Block]map[string]struct{}{},
 		ectx: &hcl.EvalContext{
 			Variables: map[string]cty.Value{},
 			Functions: stdlibFunctions,
@@ -337,20 +560,15 @@ func Parse(b hcl.Body, opt Opt, val interface{}) hcl.Diagnostics {
 		_ = p.resolveValue(k)
 	}
 
-	for k := range p.attrs {
-		if err := p.resolveValue(k); err != nil {
-			if diags, ok := err.(hcl.Diagnostics); ok {
-				return diags
-			}
-			return hcl.Diagnostics{
-				&hcl.Diagnostic{
-					Severity: hcl.DiagError,
-					Summary:  "Invalid attribute",
-					Detail:   err.Error(),
-					Subject:  &p.attrs[k].Range,
-					Context:  &p.attrs[k].Range,
-				},
-			}
+	for _, a := range content.Attributes {
+		return hcl.Diagnostics{
+			&hcl.Diagnostic{
+				Severity: hcl.DiagError,
+				Summary:  "Invalid attribute",
+				Detail:   "global attributes currently not supported",
+				Subject:  &a.Range,
+				Context:  &a.Range,
+			},
 		}
 	}
 
@@ -403,19 +621,6 @@ func Parse(b hcl.Body, opt Opt, val interface{}) hcl.Diagnostics {
 		}
 	}
 
-	for _, a := range content.Attributes {
-		return hcl.Diagnostics{
-			&hcl.Diagnostic{
-				Severity: hcl.DiagError,
-				Summary:  "Invalid attribute",
-				Detail:   "global attributes currently not supported",
-				Subject:  &a.Range,
-				Context:  &a.Range,
-			},
-		}
-	}
-
-	m := map[string]map[string][]*hcl.Block{}
 	for _, b := range content.Blocks {
 		if len(b.Labels) == 0 || len(b.Labels) > 1 {
 			return hcl.Diagnostics{
@@ -428,19 +633,16 @@ func Parse(b hcl.Body, opt Opt, val interface{}) hcl.Diagnostics {
 				},
 			}
 		}
-		bm, ok := m[b.Type]
+		bm, ok := p.blocks[b.Type]
 		if !ok {
 			bm = map[string][]*hcl.Block{}
-			m[b.Type] = bm
+			p.blocks[b.Type] = bm
 		}
 
 		lbl := b.Labels[0]
 		bm[lbl] = append(bm[lbl], b)
 	}
 
-	vt := reflect.ValueOf(val).Elem().Type()
-	numFields := vt.NumField()
-
 	type value struct {
 		reflect.Value
 		idx int
@@ -452,9 +654,11 @@ func Parse(b hcl.Body, opt Opt, val interface{}) hcl.Diagnostics {
 	}
 	types := map[string]field{}
 
-	for i := 0; i < numFields; i++ {
+	vt := reflect.ValueOf(val).Elem().Type()
+	for i := 0; i < vt.NumField(); i++ {
 		tags := strings.Split(vt.Field(i).Tag.Get("hcl"), ",")
 
+		p.blockTypes[tags[0]] = vt.Field(i).Type.Elem().Elem()
 		types[tags[0]] = field{
 			idx:    i,
 			typ:    vt.Field(i).Type,
@@ -466,29 +670,29 @@ func Parse(b hcl.Body, opt Opt, val interface{}) hcl.Diagnostics {
 	for _, b := range content.Blocks {
 		v := reflect.ValueOf(val)
 
-		t, ok := types[b.Type]
-		if !ok {
-			continue
-		}
-
-		vv := reflect.New(t.typ.Elem().Elem())
-		diag := gohcl.DecodeBody(b.Body, p.ectx, vv.Interface())
-		if diag.HasErrors() {
-			diags = append(diags, diag...)
-			continue
-		}
-
-		if err := opt.ValidateLabel(b.Labels[0]); err != nil {
-			return hcl.Diagnostics{
-				&hcl.Diagnostic{
-					Severity: hcl.DiagError,
-					Summary:  "Invalid name",
-					Detail:   err.Error(),
-					Subject:  &b.LabelRanges[0],
-				},
+		err := p.resolveBlock(b, nil)
+		if err != nil {
+			if diag, ok := err.(hcl.Diagnostics); ok {
+				if diag.HasErrors() {
+					diags = append(diags, diag...)
+					continue
+				}
+			} else {
+				return hcl.Diagnostics{
+					&hcl.Diagnostic{
+						Severity: hcl.DiagError,
+						Summary:  "Invalid attribute",
+						Detail:   err.Error(),
+						Subject:  &b.LabelRanges[0],
+						Context:  &b.DefRange,
+					},
+				}
 			}
 		}
 
+		vv := p.blockValues[b]
+
+		t := types[b.Type]
 		lblIndex := setLabel(vv, b.Labels[0])
 
 		oldValue, exists := t.values[b.Labels[0]]
@@ -502,7 +706,6 @@ func Parse(b hcl.Body, opt Opt, val interface{}) hcl.Diagnostics {
 					}
 				}
 			}
-
 		}
 		if exists {
 			if m := oldValue.Value.MethodByName("Merge"); m.IsValid() {
@@ -523,6 +726,23 @@ func Parse(b hcl.Body, opt Opt, val interface{}) hcl.Diagnostics {
 		return diags
 	}
 
+	for k := range p.attrs {
+		if err := p.resolveValue(k); err != nil {
+			if diags, ok := err.(hcl.Diagnostics); ok {
+				return diags
+			}
+			return hcl.Diagnostics{
+				&hcl.Diagnostic{
+					Severity: hcl.DiagError,
+					Summary:  "Invalid attribute",
+					Detail:   err.Error(),
+					Subject:  &p.attrs[k].Range,
+					Context:  &p.attrs[k].Range,
+				},
+			}
+		}
+	}
+
 	return nil
 }