Here’s a recipe you can try:
High Protein Cheesecake Jars Recipe
Ingredients:
For the Cheesecake Layer:
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1 cup (240g) Greek yogurt (non-fat or low-fat)
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1/2 cup (120g) cream cheese (low-fat or fat-free, softened)
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1/4 cup vanilla whey protein powder (or any protein powder of your choice)
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2-3 tbsp honey or maple syrup (or any sweetener of your choice, adjust to taste)
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1 tsp vanilla extract
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Pinch of salt
For the Crust (optional, but adds great texture):
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1/2 cup rolled oats
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1/4 cup almond flour (or crushed nuts, if preferred)
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2 tbsp coconut oil (melted)
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1 tbsp honey or sweetener of choice
For Toppings (optional):
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Fresh berries (strawberries, blueberries, etc.)
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A drizzle of chocolate syrup or caramel sauce
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Crushed nuts or granola for crunch
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Shredded coconut
Instructions:
1. Prepare the Crust:
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Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
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In a bowl, combine the rolled oats, almond flour, and melted coconut oil. Add the honey or sweetener and mix until everything is combined.
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Press the mixture into the bottom of the jars or small cups (about 6-8 oz size). You can also press it into a baking dish if you’re not using jars.
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Bake the crust in the preheated oven for 8-10 minutes, until golden brown. Once done, remove from the oven and allow it to cool completely before adding the cheesecake layer.
2. Make the Cheesecake Filling:
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In a medium bowl, beat the Greek yogurt, cream cheese, and protein powder together until smooth and creamy. You can use a hand mixer or whisk.
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Add in the honey, vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt. Mix well to combine. The texture should be thick and creamy. If it’s too thick, you can add a little splash of milk or water to loosen it up.
3. Assemble the Jars:
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Once your crust has cooled, spoon the cheesecake mixture on top of the crust in each jar or cup. You can fill the jars about 3/4 of the way to leave room for toppings.
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Smooth the top with a spoon to make it even.
4. Refrigerate:
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Refrigerate the jars for at least 2 hours, or overnight if possible, to let the cheesecake layer firm up and set properly.
5. Add Toppings and Serve:
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Before serving, top with your choice of fresh berries, a drizzle of chocolate syrup, caramel sauce, or even a sprinkle of crushed nuts or granola for some added crunch.
Nutritional Tip:
These cheesecake jars are high in protein because of the Greek yogurt and protein powder, while still being relatively low in sugar, especially if you use natural sweeteners like honey or maple syrup. For even more protein, you can use casein protein instead of whey protein, which gives the cheesecake an even denser texture.
Optional Add-Ins:
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Flavor Variations: You can mix in lemon zest or lime zest to give a citrus twist. Or even try adding a bit of cocoa powder to the cheesecake mixture for a chocolate-flavored version.
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Crust Alternatives: If you’re avoiding grains, you can make a crust using almond meal or coconut flour.
These jars are perfect for meal prep, and they keep well in the fridge for about 3-4 days. Does this sound like the kind of sweet treat you’d enjoy?