Works for Me: Raspberry Greek Yogurt Cheesecake Bites

I did it!

I perfected the Greek-yogurt mini-cheesecake! (at least, for my taste.)

Other recipes I had tried tasted too much like yogurt, and not enough like cheesecake.  These are just right: the taste and texture of real cheesecake, with enough greek yogurt to make them guilt-free.  I served these at a Bunco party I hosted a couple weeks ago, and they were highly complimented!  I wanted them to be neat finger-food, so I hid the raspberry topping inside of the cheesecake.

They are simple, quick, and easy to make.  What more could you want in a dessert?

First, mix up a little cream cheese, some vanilla Greek yogurt, eggs, sugar, and salt:

Then, give the baby  some yogurt to keep her happy while you do the next steps!

Fill your Demarle mini-muffin tray* about 1/3 full of the yogurt mixture:

*If you don’t have a Demarle silicone muffin tray, I suggest using paper or foil liners and placing the cookie on the bottom, or simply baking in a round springform pan with your favorite crust like any other cheesecake.

And top with a dollop of Raspberry pie filling.

Then, fill ’em up the rest of the way with more yogurt mixture.

Bake, and top them each with a Nilla Wafer cookie as soon as they come out of the oven:

I wanted mine to be pretty, so I froze them right in the muffin tray so I could pop them out without squishing them.  Then, I sprinkled a little chopped white chocolate on top.  Keep them refrigerated until ready to serve.

Here is the recipe:

Raspberry Greek Yogurt Cheesecake Bites

• 8 oz regular cream cheese
• 2 cups Vanilla Greek Yogurt (not fat-free)
• 2 eggs
• 3 egg whites (about 1/3 cup)
• 1/3 cup granulated sugar
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• Raspberry pie filling
• 1 box Nilla Wafer cookies
• chopped white chocolate for garnish (optional)

Bring cream cheese to room temperature.  Beat cream cheese in electric mixer until softened.  Add yogurt and mix.  Add eggs, egg whites, sugar, and salt.  Beat until smooth.  Fill mini-muffin trays about 1/3 full with mixture.  Top with a small dollop of pie filling (about 1/2 tsp?), then fill muffin cups with yogurt mixture until full.  Bake at 325 degrees Fahrenheit for 30 minutes, or until set.  Remove from oven and immediately top with Nilla Wafer cookies.  Let cool completely, then refrigerate.  May be frozen for even easier removal from the muffin tray, or for longer storage.  Decorate or garnish with whatever you choose (I used chopped white chocolate.)  Store refrigerated.

It works for me!

My First Birthday

I had my first birthday three weeks ago, and my mom hasn’t posted any pictures yet.  She says she’s been busy, and I even think she blames me for some of her lack of “free time.”

(I have some new teeth coming in, and I do want to be close to my Mommy every minute of the day, and I’m waking up more at night, too.)

I had a great birthday, and celebrated with my family and all of my grandparents.  Mommy made me a pink butterfly cake.

I especially liked picking off the M&Ms.  mmmmm!

Grandma and Grandpa gave me a baby doll, which I love!  I carry her around, hug her and pat her back, brush her teeth with my toothbrush, and wipe her face with a washcloth.  I’m pretty sure I’m ready to be a Mommy.

It wasn’t a big party, but it wore our my big brother, Matthew.  I adore him, and think he is so funny!  He makes me laugh all the time. 

I’ve been walking for almost two months now, so I think I can do everything my brothers do.  I love to climb things, especially the things that make my mom come running to grab me.  Even if she doesn’t realize it yet, I know that I am ready to take on the world!

I also love being outside.  There is so much to do and explore!  I love splashing in water (especially the toilet … that also makes Mommy come running!).  I also love to eat dirt.  When I’m near dirt, and Mommy starts running toward me, I shove it in my mouth as fast as I can, so she won’t be able to stop me.  mmmmm!  She says I should wait and taste the things that are going to grow in our garden, but I’d much prefer to just eat the garden right now.  I really don’t understand what the problem is!

I spend most of my days being happy and adorable, busy finding trouble, trying to keep up with my brothers, playing with them and laughing at their antics.  We hope you and your family are also doing well.

With Love,

Mikayla