Keto Cheesecake Bars Recipe
Ingredients:

For the Crust:

  • 1 ½ cups almond flour
  • ¼ cup unsweetened cocoa powder (optional for a chocolate crust)
  • ¼ cup melted butter
  • 3 tablespoons erythritol (or your preferred keto sweetener)
  • Pinch of salt

For the Cheesecake Filling:

  • 16 oz cream cheese, softened
  • ½ cup erythritol (or preferred keto sweetener)
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 2 tablespoons heavy whipping cream
  • Optional: Zest of 1 lemon for a tangy flavor

Instructions:

  1. Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line an 8×8-inch baking pan with parchment paper for easy removal.
  2. Prepare the Crust:
    • In a bowl, mix the almond flour, melted butter, erythritol, unsweetened cocoa powder (if using), and a pinch of salt until well combined.
    • Press the mixture evenly into the bottom of the prepared pan to form a crust.
    • Bake the crust for about 10 minutes, then remove and let it cool while you prepare the filling.
  3. Make the Cheesecake Filling:
    • In a large bowl, beat the softened cream cheese with erythritol until smooth and fluffy.
    • Add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition.
    • Stir in the vanilla extract and heavy cream (and lemon zest if using) until fully incorporated.
  4. Assemble:
    • Pour the cheesecake mixture over the pre-baked crust, smoothing the top with a spatula.
  5. Bake:
    • Bake the cheesecake bars for 20-25 minutes or until the edges are set and the center is slightly jiggly. Do not overbake.
  6. Cool and Chill:
    • Let the cheesecake bars cool to room temperature, then refrigerate for at least 2 hours (preferably overnight) to fully set.
  7. Slice and Serve:
    • Once chilled, lift the bars out using the parchment paper, slice into squares, and serve! You can garnish with keto-friendly toppings like whipped cream or fresh berries if desired.

Nutritional Information (Per Bar, makes 9 bars):

  • Calories: ~200
  • Fat: ~18g
  • Protein: ~5g
  • Net Carbs: ~2g

Nutritional values may vary depending on ingredients used.

Keto Tips:

  1. Use a Quality Sweetener: Erythritol or monk fruit sweeteners are excellent choices for maintaining sweetness without adding carbs.
  2. Room Temperature Ingredients: Ensure your cream cheese and eggs are at room temperature for a smoother filling that’s free from lumps.
  3. Chocolate or Vanilla: You can omit the cocoa powder from the crust for a classic vanilla cheesecake base, or keep it for a chocolatey twist!
  4. Lemon Zest: Adding lemon zest brightens up the flavor of the cheesecake and gives it a refreshing, tangy taste.

Benefits:

  • Low-Carb: With just about 2g of net carbs per serving, these cheesecake bars are a guilt-free indulgence on a keto diet.
  • High in Healthy Fats: The cream cheese and almond flour provide good fats, keeping you fuller for longer and helping you stay in ketosis.
  • Satisfies Sweet Cravings: These bars are rich and creamy, perfect for dessert or as a snack when you’re craving something sweet on keto.
  • Gluten-Free: Made with almond flour, this recipe is naturally gluten-free.

Enjoy these Keto Cheesecake Bars as a tasty, low-carb treat that fits perfectly into your keto lifestyle!