Description
Silky skinny coconut cheesecake bars offer a guilt-free dessert experience with low-calorie ingredients. Creamy coconut and tangy cream cheese combine in a light, refreshing treat for health-conscious individuals seeking sweet satisfaction.
Ingredients
Scale
- 8 oz (226 g) reduced-fat cream cheese (or Neufchâtel cheese), softened
- 2 large egg whites
- ¾ cup (170 g) 0% plain Greek yogurt
- ⅓ cup (67 g) granulated sugar
- ¾ cup (90 g) graham cracker crumbs
- 3 tbsps (45 mL) unsalted butter, melted
- 2 tbsps (15 g) all-purpose flour
- 1–2 tsps coconut extract
- ½ tsp vanilla extract
- ⅓ cup (30 g) sliced almonds
- ⅓ cup (30 g) shredded or flaked unsweetened coconut
Instructions
- Crust Preparation: Blend graham cracker crumbs with melted butter until texture resembles coarse sand, then press firmly into a foil-lined 8×8-inch baking dish, creating a compact foundation.
- Initial Baking: Roast the crust in a preheated 350°F oven for 8-9 minutes until achieving a light golden hue, then set aside to cool momentarily.
- Filling Creation: Whip cream cheese until completely smooth, then integrate Greek yogurt, sugar, egg whites, and flour, blending until achieving a uniform, creamy consistency while incorporating vanilla and coconut extracts.
- Cheesecake Assembly: Pour the prepared filling over the pre-baked crust, smoothing the surface with a spatula to ensure an even layer.
- Precise Baking: Bake the cheesecake for 20 minutes, then cover with foil and continue cooking for an additional 5 minutes until the center sets with a slight wobble.
- Garnish Preparation: Simultaneously, gently toast sliced almonds and shredded coconut in a dry skillet over medium-low heat, stirring continuously to prevent scorching until a delicate golden color emerges.
- Cooling and Finishing: Remove from oven, let rest for 5 minutes, sprinkle toasted almonds and coconut across the surface, then cool completely at room temperature for 30 minutes.
- Final Setting: Refrigerate for a minimum of 4 hours to enhance flavor and achieve optimal texture, then lift from pan using foil overhang and slice into precise squares for serving.
Notes
- Smooth Out Cream Cheese: Ensure cream cheese is at room temperature and whip thoroughly to eliminate lumps, creating a silky-smooth filling texture.
- Press Crust Firmly: Compact the graham cracker base tightly and evenly to prevent crumbling and create a stable foundation for the cheesecake bars.
- Watch Baking Carefully: Monitor baking time closely; slight jiggle in the center indicates perfect doneness, preventing dry or overcooked texture.
- Toasting Technique: Keep nuts and coconut moving constantly during toasting to achieve even golden color without burning, enhancing nutty flavor and crunch.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 33 minutes
- Category: Desserts, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 13
- Calories: 145
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 80 mg
- Fat: 7 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 18 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 4 g
- Cholesterol: 10 mg