Butternut Squash Greek Yogurt Cheesecake Bars
Soft and delicate greek yogurt cheesecake bars made with butternut squash puree, cinnamon and nutmeg. These cheesecake bars are great for dessert.
Indulge in the divine combination of creamy Greek yogurt, velvety butternut squash puree, and warm spices with these irresistible soft and delicate cheesecake bars. The luscious texture of Greek yogurt perfectly complements the subtly sweet notes of butternut squash, while a tantalizing blend of cinnamon and nutmeg adds a comforting warmth to every bite. Whether you’re a fan of classic cheesecake or simply looking for a unique twist on a beloved dessert, these heavenly bars are sure to delight your taste buds and satisfy any craving. Get ready to experience a harmonious marriage of flavors that will leave you yearning for more!
If you are looking for a lighter dessert, you found these yummy squares. These squares are made with Greek yogurt, a reduced amount of cream cheese compared to typical cheesecake desserts, and pureed butternut squash. If you don’t have butternut squash, you can add pumpkin or sweet potato puree.
Greek Yogurt Cheesecake Bars Recipe
Texture: soft, creamy.
Taste: sweet with greek yogurt flavor.
Simplicity: very simple, make crust, mix the batter, then bake.
Meal Type: dessert, sweet party food, brunch.
Ingredients Needed
- Graham Cracker Crumbs – store bought crashed crackers or graham crackers pieces that needs to be crushed.
- Butter – unsalted butter to make the bottom layer.
- Cream Cheese – 8oz., 1 brick softened to make the cheesecake.
- Greek Yogurt – plain greek yogurt.
- Sugar – white granulated sugar or cane sugar.
- Egg – to bind all ingredients together.
- Butternut Squash – cooked and pureed butternut squash.
- Cornstarch – to make the cheesecake more sturdy and firm.
- Vanilla Extract – for flavor.
- Cinnamon & Nutmeg – ground nutmeg and cinnamon for extra flavor.
How to make Greek Yogurt Bars
- (Full recipe and video below). Prepare all ingredients: graham crackers crumbs, butter melted, cream cheese, sugar, egg, greek yogurt, butternut squash, cornstarch, cinnamon, nutmeg and vanilla extract.
- Combine graham crackers with butter, lay on 9 x 9 baking pan, bake for 15 minutes at 300 F.
- In a large bowl mix cream cheese with sugar and greek yogurt, add egg, mix it.
- Add butternut squash, mix it. After that, add cornstarch, cinnamon, nutmeg and vanilla extract, mix with mixer.
- Pour over the crust, bake for 25 minutes at 300 F.
Butternut Squash Cheesecake Tips
- Butternut Squash Puree Substitutes: If you don’t have butternut squash puree, you can use an equal amount of pumpkin or sweet potato puree as alternatives. This provides flexibility in using ingredients you may already have on hand.
- To make butternut squash puree, cook or bake the butternut squash until it’s very soft. Once softened, mash it with a fork until you achieve a smooth consistency.
- Using softened cream cheese is essential for easy mixing with a mixer. Allow the cream cheese to come to room temperature.
- You can sprinkle powdered sugar on top of cheesecake bars for a simple and elegant touch. Alternatively, you can top them with melted white chocolate, adding a sweet and creamy layer to enhance the flavor. If using powdered sugar, you can sift it evenly over the bars. If opting for melted white chocolate, drizzle it artistically or spread it over the bars for a decorative finish.
Yogurt Cheesecake Bars FAQ’s
Determining if cheesecake bars are done involves observing both the appearance and texture. Make sure the cheesecake is not jiggly-liquid inside, it should be firm and fully cooked before removing from the oven. Remember that baking times can vary depending on your oven.
Make sure your cheesecake has been thoroughly chilled. Chilled cheesecake is firmer and easier to cut cleanly. You can cut cooled off cheesecake bars with sharp knife, additionally you can clean knife with paper towel after each cut if needed or run knife under hot water to warm it.
Usually, you will have 12 smaller bars or 9 bigger squares.
Yes, you can freeze cheesecake bars for future enjoyment. Freezing cheesecake bars is a convenient way to make them ahead of time or to preserve leftovers. Allow the cheesecake bars to cool completely at room temperature. Once cooled, you may want to refrigerate them for a few hours before freezing to ensure they are well-set. If your cheesecake is in a large pan, cut it into individual serving-sized bars. Wrap each cheesecake bar individually in plastic wrap and freeze.
Other Desserts
- Baked Mini Matcha Cheesecakes
- Raspberry Homemade Cheesecake Bars
- Chocolate Cheesecake Cupcakes with Pretzel Crust
- Mini Pumpkin Cheesecakes
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Butternut Squash Greek Yogurt Cheesecake Bars
Ingredients
Crust
- 1 cup graham cracker crumbs crushed
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter melted
Cheesecake
- 8 oz. cream cheese 1 brick, at room temperature
- 1 cup greek yogurt
- 1/2 cup sugar granulated or cane
- 1 egg
- 1/2 cup butternut squash pureed
- 1 tsp. vanilla extract
- 1 tsp. cornstarch
- 1 tsp. cinnamon
- 1/8 tsp. nutmeg
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 300 F. Prepare 9 x 9 baking pan. Put parchment paper on the bottom.
- In a medium bowl combine graham crackers and melted butter. Press gently on the bottom of the 9 x 9 baking pan. Bake for 15 minutes.1 cup graham cracker crumbs, 1/4 cup unsalted butter
- In a medium bowl mix with mixer cream cheese, greek yogurt and sugar. Mix until well combined with mixer. Add 1 egg and mix.8 oz. cream cheese, 1 cup greek yogurt, 1/2 cup sugar, 1 egg
- Add butternut squash puree and vanilla extract, mix well.1/2 cup butternut squash, 1 tsp. vanilla extract
- Add cornstarch, cinnamon and nutmeg. Mix until well combined with electric mixer.1 tsp. cornstarch, 1 tsp. cinnamon, 1/8 tsp. nutmeg
- Bake for about 25 minutes until center will not jiggle.
- Cool off completely before cutting into bars.
- Cut cooled off cheesecake bars with sharp knife, also you can clean knife with paper towel after each cut if needed or run knife under hot water to warm it.
Equipment needed
- 9×9 Baking Pan
Video
Notes
- You don’t have butternut squash puree? No problem! You can use the same amount of pumpkin or sweet potato puree.
- To make butternut squash puree, cook or bake the butternut squash until it’s very soft. Once softened, mash it with a fork until you achieve a smooth consistency.
- Using softened cream cheese is essential for easy mixing with a mixer. Allow the cream cheese to come to room temperature.
- You can sprinkle powdered sugar on top of cheesecake bars for a simple and elegant touch. Alternatively, you can top them with melted white chocolate, adding a sweet and creamy layer to enhance the flavor. If using powdered sugar, you can sift it evenly over the bars. If opting for melted white chocolate, drizzle it artistically or spread it over the bars for a decorative finish.
Nutrition
Update Notes: The recipe was originally posted in October, 2016, it was updated with new tips in November, 2023.
These are yummy! Oven time was closer to an hour for me, though! Maybe it’s my oven.
Yes, each oven varies, some ovens requires lees time to bake than others.