Delightful cheesecake bars infused with honey, Greek yogurt, and topped with crunchy pistachios, perfect for summer gatherings.
Author:info-pennykitchengmail-com
Prep Time:30 minutes
Cook Time:45 minutes
Total Time:240 minutes
Yield:12 servings 1x
Category:Dessert
Method:Baking
Cuisine:Greek
Diet:Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1/4 teaspoon salt
6 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
16 ounces cream cheese, softened
1/4 cup Greek yogurt
1/2 cup honey
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 teaspoon lemon zest
1/2 cup pistachios, chopped and toasted
2 tablespoons honey (for drizzling)
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 350°F and line an 8×8-inch pan with parchment paper, leaving some overhang for easy removal later.
In a medium bowl, combine graham cracker crumbs, granulated sugar, and salt. Stir in the melted butter until the mixture is evenly moistened.
Press the crust mixture firmly into the bottom of the prepared pan and bake for 8-10 minutes until golden brown. Remove from oven and let it cool completely.
Reduce the oven temperature to 325°F. In a large bowl, beat the softened cream cheese with an electric mixer until smooth and creamy.
Add Greek yogurt, honey, eggs, vanilla extract, and lemon zest to the cream cheese, and mix on low speed until well combined and smooth.
Pour the cheesecake filling over the cooled crust, using a spatula to smooth it out evenly.
Bake for 25-30 minutes until the edges are set but the center still jiggles slightly. Remove from the oven and allow to cool to room temperature.
Refrigerate the bars in the pan for at least 3 hours until firm.
Just before serving, drizzle the bars with additional honey and sprinkle the chopped pistachios on top. Cut into squares and enjoy!
Notes
For best results, ensure cream cheese is fully softened before mixing. Don’t skip the chilling time for perfect slices.