Lemon cheesecake bars are that one dessert everybody claims they’ll “simply have a chew” of—then promptly inhale three. The combo of tangy citrus and wealthy, creamy goodness is a complete energy transfer within the snack division. They’re the form of deal with that turns a traditional Tuesday into one thing price texting your group chat about. No fancy substances, no sophisticated steps—simply unapologetically daring taste and a crumbly base meaning enterprise. In case your fridge isn’t hiding a batch of lemon cheesecake bars proper now, it most likely needs to be.
Components
For the graham crust, mix 1 cup of low-fat graham cracker crumbs, 2 tablespoons of granulated sugar alternative, and 4 to five tablespoons of unsweetened applesauce. The cheesecake filling contains 8 ounces of 1/3-less fats cream cheese, 2 cups of nonfat plain Greek yogurt, 3 eggs, and a 1-ounce field of sugar-free cheesecake pudding combine. Sweeten with 6 tablespoons of granulated sugar alternative and a pinch of salt. Add ¼ cup of lemon juice, 1½ tablespoons of lemon zest, and optionally, ½ teaspoon of lemon extract for additional brightness.
Make and Bake the Crust
Preheat oven to 325°F. Combine graham cracker crumbs with sugar alternative, then progressively add applesauce till the combination resembles moist sand. Press right into a parchment-lined 8×11 baking dish and bake for 10–14 minutes till set. Let cool barely.
Get The Recipe: Weight Watchers Lemon Cheesecake Bars
Put together the Cheesecake Filling
Combine softened cream cheese with salt and sweetener. Add Greek yogurt, eggs (one by one), lemon juice, lemon zest, and Jello combine. Stir till thick and easy.
Assemble and Bake
Pour the filling over the crust and unfold evenly. Bake for 35–40 minutes till set. Cool to room temperature, then refrigerate absolutely earlier than slicing into bars.
Variations and Substitutions for Making Weight Watchers Lemon Cheesecake Bars
For those who’re seeking to splurge, use full-fat cream cheese or common graham cracker crumbs, and add a swirl of whipped cream on high. To decrease the Factors, think about chopping the bars into smaller parts, although modifications are restricted because of the recipe’s precision. Swap out graham crackers with sugar-free cookie crumbs for the crust—simply be ready to regulate the applesauce for consistency. For extra citrus punch, unfold a skinny layer of lemon curd on high after baking, or swirl raspberry coulis into the batter pre-bake for coloration and fruity taste. Lastly, should you favor to skip sugar alternate options, substitute an equal quantity of granulated sugar and recalculate Factors within the WW app.
Suggestions and Methods for Making Weight Watchers Lemon Cheesecake Bars
Retailer any leftover lemon cheesecake bars in an hermetic container within the fridge for 3–4 days; freezing isn’t really helpful because of the excessive Greek yogurt content material. When making ready the crust, keep away from overmixing—use your fingers to softly mix the substances till crumbly, then press it into the pan for the correct texture. Parchment paper is your finest good friend right here, making the bars a lot simpler to elevate out cleanly; should you don’t have any, make sure to grease the pan totally. For an additional easy, custardy texture and fewer cracks, place a water-filled pan on the oven’s backside rack throughout baking, though this step is optionally available.
Get The Recipe: Weight Watchers Lemon Cheesecake Bars