#35 Skinny Oreo Cheesecake Bars

So who doesn't want Oreo cheesecake? I cannot think of a time when I would turn anything like that down... Except if I was wanting to watch my sugar intake (which I should really do more often). But, luckily, with these, you can have Oreo cheesecake without all the guilt of a sugar overload!

The only part not "skinny" about these cheesecake bars is the Oreo. If you wanted to really be strict to the "skinny," you could definitely used reduced fat Oreo's or a similar, reduced-fat cookie. 

Making these was actually quite intimidating for me! I am all for effortless, quick and easy recipes, so I'd only made no-bake cheesecakes before. This was my first baked cheesecake! I'd never had to deal with cracks in the cheesecakes, water baths in the oven, or over-mixing the eggs (if you don't know, these are all problems that can come up when baking cheesecakes, which is why I was nervous to try these.)

BUT! Fortunately for me and you, this baked cheesecake IS effortless, quick and easy. And, you don't have to worry about water baths or anything like that! 

This is a great summer recipe, rich and chocolate-y at only 158 calories a piece! Go ahead and set out your cream cheese now... 

Skinny Oreo Cheesecake Bars

Prep Time: 10 minutes. Cook time: 25 minutes. Chill time: 3 hours. Total time: 3 hours, 35 minutes.

Yields: 8x8 pan; 16 bars

Ingredients:

20 Oreo's, divided (2 rows of a 15.25 oz. package. I used Double Stuf)
2 tablespoons butter, melted
8 oz. reduced fat cream cheese, softened
3/4 cup Greek yogurt 
2 egg whites (Mine were room temperature, but original recipe does not specify.)
1/4 cup sugar
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon lemon juice (fresh or bottled)
2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Line an 8x8 pan with aluminum foil (with extra hanging over the edges) and spray with cooking spray. Set aside. 

2. Roughly chop 6 of the 20 Oreo's with a blender, food processor or rolling pin. Set aside.

3. In a food processor or blender or with a rolling pin, crush remaining 14 Oreo's until they are fine crumbs. In a bowl, mix together Oreo's and melted butter until all crumbs are moistened. Press mixture firmly into the bottom of the prepared pan. Bake for 10-12 minutes. Remove from oven and cool completely.


4. Increase oven temperature to 350 degrees. Using an electric mixer on a low-medium speed, beat cream cheese for 1 minute. Beat in yogurt, egg whites, sugar and flour until mixture is smooth and creamy, about 3 full minutes. Add lemon juice and vanilla and beat for an additional 1 minute. Fold in chopped Oreo's.

5. Spread filling on top of cooled crust. Bake for 25-28 minutes, covering with aluminum foil at the 20-minute mark to prevent browning. 

6. Remove from oven and allow to cool for 20 minutes at room temperature, then chill completely in the refrigerator for at least three hours. When ready to serve, lift foil out of the pan and cut into bars.

Enjoy!


Click here to print recipe!

*Note: Nutrition facts may vary due to brand of products.

Recipe adapted from

http://sallysbakingaddiction.com/2014/01/05/skinny-chocolate-chip-cheesecake-bars/