Cheesecake bars are a delightful treat enjoyed by many. They are creamy, rich, and can be made with various flavors. One of the best ways to enjoy cheesecake is by adding fresh fruits, like raspberries. Healthy Raspberry Cheesecake Bars not only satisfy your sweet tooth but also offer a burst of flavor. This recipe is a wonderful way to enjoy a creamy dessert while keeping it light and nutritious. So, let’s dive into the wonderful world of making Healthy Raspberry Cheesecake Bars.
Why Make This Recipe
There are many reasons to make Healthy Raspberry Cheesecake Bars. Firstly, these bars are a healthier alternative to traditional cheesecake. They use light cream cheese, yogurt, and a zero-calorie sweetener, making them lower in calories and fat. This means you can indulge without the guilt!
Secondly, they are very easy to prepare. The steps are simple and only require basic kitchen skills. You do not need to bake a full cheesecake or worry about complicated techniques. Just mix, bake, and chill, and you are ready to enjoy them!
Additionally, these cheesecake bars are perfect for meal prep. You can make a batch at the beginning of the week and have a delicious dessert ready whenever you crave something sweet. They are also great on picnics, parties, or as a snack for kids.
Lastly, the combination of creamy cheesecake and fresh raspberries creates a delightful taste. The tartness of the raspberries balances wonderfully with the sweetness of the cheesecake. These bars are sure to impress family and friends!
How to Make Healthy Raspberry Cheesecake Bars
Making Healthy Raspberry Cheesecake Bars is a simple and rewarding process. Follow the steps below to create your own delicious batch.
Ingredients
To make Healthy Raspberry Cheesecake Bars, you will need the following ingredients:
- 8 digestive biscuits (118g) or substitute with equal weight oats or a different type of biscuit
- 20 g soy protein crisps (optional; you can substitute with 1 extra biscuit or equal parts oats)
- 30 g light butter (you can also use normal butter or oil)
- 1 tbsp milk
- 250 g light cream cheese
- 350 g yogurt (vanilla or plain)
- 2 eggs
- 100 g granulated zero-calorie sweetener (or any granulated sweetener of your choice)
- 60 g vanilla protein powder (you can substitute with cornstarch or flour)
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 lemon (juiced)
- 1 lemon (zest)
- 150 g raspberries (fresh or frozen)
Directions
To prepare your Healthy Raspberry Cheesecake Bars, follow these step-by-step directions:
Preheat the oven: Start by preheating your oven to 160°C (320°F). This ensures that your cheesecake bars cook evenly.
Make the crust: Take a food processor and add the 8 digestive biscuits and the optional 20 g soy protein crisps if you are using them. Blend everything for about 10 to 30 seconds until they turn into fine crumbs.
Combine crumbs and butter: Melt the 30 g of light butter. Pour this melted butter into the crumb mixture and mix well. It should become slightly sticky.
Prepare the baking pan: Take a brownie pan and line it with parchment paper. Pour the crust mixture into the pan. Press it down firmly to form an even layer.
Bake the crust: Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake the crust for about 10 minutes. After baking, let it cool.
Make the cheesecake filling: In a medium bowl, combine the 250 g of light cream cheese, 350 g of yogurt, 2 eggs, 100 g of sweetener, 60 g of vanilla protein powder, 2 tsp of vanilla extract, along with the juice and zest of 1 lemon. Mix everything until it’s smooth. Be careful not to over-mix.
Add raspberries: Take a handful of raspberries and place them on top of the cooled crust. Pour half of the cheesecake batter over the raspberries, then add more raspberries on top. Finally, pour the remaining cheesecake batter over everything.
Optional step for creaminess: If you’d like a creamier texture, you can place the pan in a larger baking dish filled with hot water before baking.
Bake the cheesecake bars: Put the pan in the oven and bake for about 30 to 40 minutes. You can adjust the time depending on how firm you want the bars to be.
Cool and set: After baking, allow the bars to cool slightly. Then, refrigerate them for at least 5 hours to set properly.
Cut and serve: Once set, cut the bars into 12 equal pieces and serve.
How to Serve Healthy Raspberry Cheesecake Bars
Serving Healthy Raspberry Cheesecake Bars is part of the fun! You can enjoy them chilled straight from the refrigerator. They make for a delightful dessert after dinner or a sweet snack during the day.
You might want to garnish them with extra fresh raspberries or a drizzle of honey for a touch of sweetness. You can also serve them with a dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of yogurt on the side. A sprinkle of coconut flakes or crushed nuts can add extra flavor and texture.
These bars can be served as is or on a nice plate, making them perfect for gatherings or special occasions.
How to Store Healthy Raspberry Cheesecake Bars
To keep your Healthy Raspberry Cheesecake Bars fresh and tasty, storing them correctly is essential. Once you’ve cut the bars, place any leftovers in an airtight container. They can be stored in the refrigerator for up to one week.
If you want to keep them for a longer time, you can freeze the bars. To freeze, wrap each bar individually in plastic wrap and then put them in a freezer-safe bag. They can be stored in the freezer for up to two months. When you want to enjoy a bar, just take it out and allow it to thaw in the refrigerator before serving.
Tips to Make Healthy Raspberry Cheesecake Bars
Use room temperature ingredients: This helps in mixing everything seamlessly and achieving a smooth batter.
Don’t over-mix the batter: Over-mixing can lead to cracks when baked, so mix gently to keep the batter creamy.
Try different fruits: While raspberries are delicious, you can experiment with other fruits like blueberries or strawberries to change the flavor.
Adjust sweetness: Taste the batter before baking and adjust the sweetness as per your preference. Different sweeteners can vary in sweetness levels.
Experiment with crust: If you want a different flavor, try using different types of biscuits or even nuts in your crust.
Variation
This Healthy Raspberry Cheesecake Bars recipe is very versatile. You can make some variations to suit different tastes or dietary needs.
- Chocolate version: Add cocoa powder to the cheesecake batter to create a delicious chocolate version.
- Nut-crust option: Instead of digestive biscuits, try using crushed nuts mixed with some dates for a gluten-free option.
- Lower carb option: If you are following a low-carb diet, you can substitute regular flour with almond flour and sugar with low-carb sweeteners.
FAQs
Q1: Can I use frozen raspberries for this recipe?
Yes, you can use frozen raspberries instead of fresh ones. Just be mindful that frozen raspberries might release more juice, so it’s best to use them lightly thawed.
Q2: How do I know when the cheesecake bars are done baking?
The bars should be set around the edges but still slightly jiggly in the center. They will firm up as they cool.
Q3: Can I make these cheesecake bars without eggs?
Yes! You can substitute the eggs with 1/4 cup of unsweetened applesauce or a flax egg (1 tablespoon ground flaxseed mixed with 2.5 tablespoons of water) to make them egg-free.
Following this recipe, you’ll create Healthy Raspberry Cheesecake Bars that are delicious, easy to make, and perfect for any occasion. Enjoy this healthy treat knowing it’s a delightful way to indulge without feeling guilty!
Healthy Raspberry Cheesecake Bars
Ingredients
Method
- Preheat your oven to 160°C (320°F).
- In a food processor, blend 8 digestive biscuits and 20 g soy protein crisps (if using) until they turn into fine crumbs.
- Melt the 30 g of light butter and mix it with the crumb mixture until slightly sticky.
- Line a brownie pan with parchment paper, pour the crust mixture into the pan, and press it down firmly.
- Bake the crust for about 10 minutes, then let it cool.
- In a medium bowl, combine the light cream cheese, yogurt, eggs, sweetener, vanilla protein powder, vanilla extract, juice, and zest of 1 lemon. Mix until smooth.
- Place a handful of raspberries on top of the cooled crust, pour half of the cheesecake batter over the raspberries, add more raspberries, and top with the remaining cheesecake batter.
- For a creamier texture, place the pan in a larger baking dish filled with hot water before baking.
- Bake the cheesecake bars for about 30 to 40 minutes, adjusting the time for firmness preference.
- Allow the bars to cool slightly, then refrigerate for at least 5 hours to set.
- Once set, cut the bars into 12 equal pieces and serve.