Skinny Raspberry Swirl Cheesecake Bars Food

SKINNY RASPBERRY SWIRL CHEESECAKE BARS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 and line bottom and sides of an 8x8 pan with aluminum foil, leaving overhang on all sides for easy lift later; set aside.
• Make the crust: Mix the graham cracker crumbs and melted butter together in a medium bowl until combined. Evenly press crust into prepared baking pan. Bake for 8 minutes. Remove from oven and set aside.
• Make the Filling: In a large bowl using handheld or stand mixer with whisk attachment, beat the cream cheese on high speed until completely smooth, about 1 minute. On medium high speed, beat in yogurt until completely combined. Then beat in the egg whites until combined. Finally, beat in the sugar, flour, lemon juice, and vanilla until everything is combined and no lumps remain.
• Pour filling onto the crust. Place spoonfuls of jam on top of cheesecake. Then take a toothpick or skewer and swirl the jam across the top of the cheesecake (some will mix in the cheesecake).
• Bake for 30 minutes, covering the cheesecake bars at the 25 minute mark to prevent the top from browning. Allow the bars to cool at room temperature set on wire rack for 30 minutes, then transfer to refrigerator to chill for 3-4 hours or over night (I do overnight).
• Once chilled, lift the foil out of the pan using the overhang and cut into squares. For neat squares, I use a very sharp knife and wipe clean with papertowel after each cut Leftovers keep well in fridge for up to 5 days.
• Make ahead tip: Prepare the bars 1-3 days in advance and store covered tightly in fridge until ready to serve. Bars can also be frozen for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in fridge before serving.
• NOTE: If you cut into 12 bars, each bar has 117 calories, 13.4 g carbs (9 g sugar; 1.3 g fiber). If you cut into 16 bars, each bar has 88 calories, 10.1 g carbs (6.7 g sugar, 0.9 g fiber).

RASPBERRY-CHEESECAKE BARS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°F.
• In a mixing bowl, combine the flour, brown sugar and 1/2 cup finely chopped almonds.
• Cut in shortening until mixture resembles fine crumbs.
• Set aside 1/2 cup crumb mixture for topping.
• For crust, press the remaining crumb mixture into the bottom of a 13x9x2-inch baking pan.
• Bake for 12 to 15 minutes or till the edges are golden.
• In another mixing bowl, beat the cream cheese, sugar, eggs and almond extract till smooth.
• Spread over the hot crust.
• Return to oven and bake for 15 minutes.
• Spread preserves over cream cheese mixture.
• In a small bowl, combine the reserved crumb mixture, coconut and sliced almonds-sprinkle over preserves.
• Return to oven and bake for 15 minutes more.
• Cool in pan on a wire rack.
• Chill for 3 hours before cutting into bars.
• Store in the fridge.