Monday, December 19, 2011

Skinny{er} Mini Chocolate Swirl Cheesecakes with Oreo Crust

I say skinny{er} because this recipe uses neufchatel cheese and a hefty amount of greek yogurt versus your typical full fat bricks of cream cheese. But, I couldn't lie to you all and call them a full out skinny version...considering the crust for these yummy treats is an Oreo.

Yeah...I went there.

And I really haven't joined the "alternative sweetener" baking trend. I will cut calories and fat all day when I'm cooking, but I just can't wrap my oven mitts around not using sugar when it comes to baking. Call me crazy, but I'm just now warming up to stevia in my coffee. Besides, all that other chemical crap (Sweet n' Low, Equal, Splenda) makes you grow a third arm and go color blind. I'd rather practice portion control, how 'bout you?



Honestly, I wanted to do a berry version of a skinny mini cheesecake, but seeing as berries are like $57.00 for .25 pounds right now. Thanks, but no thanks. It is the holiday season and I would rather buy family and friends gifts rather than berries. I may break down and buy some frozen ones or even worse...canned berry filling! If I did that, I'm sure you would all unsubscribe.

If you haven't jumped on the Greek yogurt bandwagon, you should. I'm weird about my dairy and for the longest time, I wouldn't eat it. Who knows what got me to try it, but when I did, I cried (ok, not really) because of how good it is! Seriously, it tastes NO different that regular yogurt. I promise. They just strain it once more than regular yogurt, so it is a bit thicker but same great taste and twice (if not more) the amount of protein of regular yogurt.





Skinny{er} Mini Chocolate Swirl Cheesecakes with Oreo Crust


Prep Time: 20 minutes

Bake: 350 degrees for 45-50 minutes or until firm 

Cool: 20 minutes, then refrigerate at least 3 hours

Yield: 32 cheesecakes

Serving: 1 cheesecake
134 Calories
3.5g Protein


Ingredients

32 Oreos

8-oz  neufchatel cheese , room temperature
16-oz 0% Greek-style yogurt, room temperature
3/4 cup sugar
2 large eggs, room temperature

3 large egg whites, room temperature
1 tbsp vanilla extract
pinch salt

1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips


Directions


Preheat oven to 350F.


Line cupcake/muffin pan with cupcake liners. Drop one Oreo into the bottom of each liner.






In a large bowl, blend cream cheese, yogurt, sugar, eggs, vanilla extract and salt on medium speed. Mix until until mixture is very, very smooth.



In a medium bowl, add chocolate chips and microwave for 15 second intervals, stirring between each until melted. You may have to add a teaspoon or so of butter to smooth things out. 


Add 1/3 of the cheesecake batter to melted chocolate. Blend until well incorporated. 

Pour cheesecake batter into prepared pan, adding just enough to cover Oreo (about 1/2 full). Spoon one tablespoon of chocolate cheesecake batter into each liner. Using a butter knife, swirl mixture together.  





Bake for 45-50 minutes, until the cake is set and jiggles only slightly when gently tapped. Cool to room temperature before refrigerating for 3 hours. 






Please visit my link parties page to see who I linked up with this week!



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9 comments:

Dorothy @ Crazy for Crust said...

These look amazing. Um, they have a crust and it's an Oreo...how could they not be? I love using Neufchatel cheese - such a great way to cut the fat. Thanks for sharing on Crazy Sweet Tuesday!

ashlyn | nicole said...

can I just say yumminess! I will have I try that cheese. Never heard of it !

Amila said...

wow!!Delicious recipe idea...Would like if you join with Midweek Fiesta

No and Jen said...

wow these look delish! thanks for sharing!

itsjustcalledspicy.blogspot.com

Amila said...

Thanks a lot for visiting my blog & linking this yummy recipe...
Wish you a Merry Christmas & Happy Holidays!!

Simply AJ said...

These look yummy! Thanks for sharing.
AJ@queenofmynest

Anonymous said...

Oh, yum this looks delicious! Thank you for sharing. Pat

Anonymous said...

I was wondering if fat free cream cheese could be used instead? Or if that would completely mess up the structure/taste, etc.? I want to make it skinny for me, but still tasty for my boyfriend.

Allison said...

I think you could! Neufchatel cheese is already reduced fat cream cheese. Try it and let me know how it works!

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