Skinny Strawberry Cheesecake Bars

   

     I know what you're thinking....not possible...but it really is!

     Mike and I had a VERY long weekend. Not sure if I've mentioned before but Mike races cars. He has been into racing long before we even met and has had a variety of cars that he loves to take to the track and race. During the spring, summer, and fall months we often take his weekends off to go to the local race track and watch the races since he hasn't had a car of his own. Last summer, however, he bought another race car so he could participate. He's not one to hold on to things long and eventually he came across an even faster race car. So, on Saturday we made the long trip to CT in order to trade his '86 Mustang (runs in the 9's) for an '88 Mustang that he can race Ultra Street this year. We left our house at 5am and were on the road. 6 hours later we arrived at the guy's house for the trade. Then, after about an hour of comparing cars, we were back on the road headed home.

(For those interested...here is the pic of "The Changing of the Guards". Mike's Our old car is the one with the black stripe and the "Proline" sticker. The darker one is the new one.)

     After all of our "excitement" on Saturday we wanted to lay low on Sunday. We called Mike's parents and convinced them to come out to breakfast with us. Then, we somehow convinced them to make us dinner as well!! I agreed to make some sort of dessert, which was hard for me considering the whole "healthy eating" thing we are trying to do. But then remembered the amazing Skinnytaste website!!

     We looked and looked and finally agreed upon the Chocolate Raspberry Cheesecake. I, of course, added my own twist to it, but mostly because raspberries were so expensive!!!

Here it is!!

Strawberry Cheesecake Bars
Nutritional Facts: Servings (9) Amount per Serving - Calories: 181, Total Fat: 7.1g, Cholesterol: 14.9 mg, Sodium: 145.9 mg, Potassium: 99.5 mg, Total Carbs: 24.6g - Dietary Fiber: 1.2 g, Sugars: 16.8g, Protein: 5.5g

INGREDIENTS:
     4 low fat graham crackers, crumbled
     1 tbsp light butter
     1/4 cup, sugar
     8 oz low fat cream cheese, softened
     1 tsp vanilla extract
     6 oz fat free vanilla yogurt
     1 tbsp flour
     2 egg whites
     1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate (for drizzling)
     9 strawberries

DIRECTIONS:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees and spray a square baking pan with nonstick spray.

Mix together the graham cracker crumbs and the butter and press into the bottom of the dish.

Slowly beat cream cheese, sugar, and vanilla until smooth. Then, gradually add in egg whites, flour, and yogurt. Do not overbeat!!

Pour over graham cracker crust (I needed to spread mine out a little with the spatula to make it even).

Bake for about 25-30 minutes or until center feels almost set. Cool to room temp and then put in fridge for a few hours.

Cut pie into 9 equal bars (I made mine a little bigger and couldn't finish the whole thing). Melt the chocolate and then drizzle on top of the bars. Add a few strawberries and confectioner's sugar for garnish.