Culinary Do-over: Light Cookies n’ Cream Cheesecake Squares Recipe
PIN IT!What’s that you say? ANOTHER post for today? I just had so much to share, there could be no other way! (It’s Friday night, forgive me please). So hi again! I hope you’ve already entered to win some great loot from Subway, including some fresh avocados here on this giveaway! Oh and check out the interview with the MAN himself, Chef Robert Irvine! and send him a little tweet saying ya did, alright?
This post has little to do with avocados. Actually, nothing really. And, it’s not the world’s BEST thing for you ever. But guess what, we all need a little oreo fudge cheesecake squares every once in a while. I mean, I’m REALISTIC after all, right?
I mean, look at them? Don’t you agree? Now, the reason for making these is simple. Last year, I tried and I failed. MISERABLY. Oh and Foodbuzz chose me, along with other tastemakers, to participate in their Frigidaire culinary do-over challenge! I knew now was the time to remake these bars.
I mean look at this miserable, pathetic, goopey mess. I mean, it’s heartbreaking right? Compare it to THIS.
It’s like night and day, right friends? Well, there are a few reasons as to why this try worked and that try didn’t. For one, I let them chill longer. The first recipe I chilled for maybe an hour and a half before I dug into them. Hence, the runny mess. Secondly, I sort of adapted the recipe and referenced another one from my lovely friend Table for Two. This reduced the eggs and added another thickening agent, some 2% Chobani!
I’m SO pleased with the turnout. You know, I’m sort of a raving stark mad lunatic perfectionist when it comes to my recipes. I don’t take recipe fails lightly. As you’ll read here, I take it as a blow to me. So, now that I’m being challenged to make these into something edible and beautiful, you best believe I’m going to grab that symbolic bull by it’s horns and TACKLE IT.
And I did it! Another edit I made to both recipes was I subbed in lighter ingredients to make this a little less guilty of an indulgence. I used light cream cheese, 2% yogurt instead of sour cream and used 1/4 of the number of Oreos. It’s still not something you can eat 20 of (unlike these healthy PB jelly bars) but it’s a treat you can enjoy without feeling bad about it.
And really, isn’t that what life is all about, anyway? Plus, you can’t go wrong with a dessert made from Oreos that only has 5 Weight Watchers points per square.
Lighter Cookies N’ Cream Cheesecake Squares
Yields about 14 bars.
Prep time: 15 minutes
Cook time: About 50 minutes
Recipe adapted from Two Peas & Their Pod & Table for Two.
Ingredients:
For the crust:
- 18 Oreo cookies
- 2 tablespoons unsweetened applesauce
- 1 tablespoon unsalted melted butter
For the filling:
- 1 1/2 8 ounce packages of light cream cheese
- 1/3 cup 2% Chobani
- 3 1/2 tablespoons white sugar
- 1 egg
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
- Dash of salt
- 6 – 8 Oreos, chopped finely
Directions:
- Preheat oven to 325 degrees F. Line an 8 x 8 baking dish with parchment paper with a bit of overhang so you can easily remove the bars.
- To make the crust, place Oreos in a food processor and pulse until crumbly. (Will resemble sand). Add in applesauce and butter. Pulse again until mixture is moistened. Using a spatula, press the crust mixture into the parchment paper, being sure to reach the corners. Bake for about 10 – 12 minutes, or until crust hardens a bit. Set aside.
- To prepare filling, add cream cheese and yogurt to a large mixing bowl. Beat on high or until mixture is creamy. Slowly beat in sugar, egg and vanilla. Add salt and beat until mixture is combined. Using a wooden spoon, stir in 3/4 of the oreo cookie mixture. Pour filling over the crust, using another spatula to spread and cover the crust completely.
- Sprinkle with remaining Oreos and bake for about 35 0 42 minutes, or until firm. Immediately chill for at least 3 – 4 hours. Cut bars, serve and enjoy!
Nutritional information per bar:
Calories: 180
Fat: 10.1 grams
Carbohydrates: 18.7 grams
Fiber: 1 gram
Protein: 5.14 grams
Weight Watchers points: 5
This post was sponsored by Frigidaire. When you share your own do-over moment on Facebook.com/Frigidaire, Frigidaire will donate $1 to Save the Children’s U.S. Programs. Plus, Frigidaire will help cover the costs for one lucky visitor to win the ultimate do-over.
xo
http://allykayler.blogspot.ca/
thanks in advance!
Now, rather than sprinkling crushed Oreos on top, I add a chocolate ganache. Fancy, eh?
Thanks a lot! =)