Squash Cheesecake Bars

From EatingWell: September/October 2007 — Subscribe Now!

Pureed winter squash gives most of the body to these leaner cheesecake bars.

READER'S COMMENT:

"A disappointment (this is coming from a long-time fan). The crust is flat and heavy - I think the suggestions about longer baking time and the addition of spices are good ones. Plus, I wonder if the flour is necessary. The filling needs...

18 bars

Active Time: 20 minutes

Total Time: 4 hours (including cooling & chilling time)

Nutrition Profile

Low carbohydrate | View Complete Nutrition Guidelines»

Ingredients

9 low-fat graham crackers, (4 1/2 ounces)
1/2 cup old-fashioned rolled oats, (not quick-cooking or steel-cut)
2 tablespoons plus 1/2 cup sugar, divided
1/4 cup plus 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour, divided
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
3 tablespoons nonfat milk
8 ounces nonfat cream cheese, at room temperature
8 ounces reduced-fat cream cheese, (Neufchâtel), at room temperature
1/2 cup squash puree
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon salt

Preparation

Preheat oven to 350°F. Coat a 9-by-13-inch baking pan with cooking spray
Process graham crackers, oats, 2 tablespoons sugar, 1/4 cup flour and butter in a food processor until finely ground. Add milk; pulse until completely moistened.
Transfer the graham cracker mixture to the prepared pan and evenly pat into the bottom. Bake for 10 minutes. Cool on a wire rack for 20 minutes.
Meanwhile, reduce oven temperature to 325°. Beat both cream cheeses and the remaining 1/2 cup sugar in a large bowl with an electric mixer at medium speed until creamy, scraping down the sides occasionally. Beat in squash puree until smooth. Beat in eggs one at a time. Finally, beat in vanilla, cinnamon, salt and the remaining 3 tablespoons flour. Scrape the filling into the pan, spreading evenly over the crust.
Bake until set and the edges are light brown, about 35 minutes. Let cool completely on a wire rack, then refrigerate for at least 1 hour before cutting into bars.

Tips & Notes

Make Ahead Tip: Cover and refrigerate for up to 2 days.

To make your own squash puree, halve and seed one medium acorn or butternut squash. Place, cut-side down, on a lightly greased baking sheet. Bake in a preheated 375°F oven until soft, about 50 minutes. Cool, then scrape out the flesh with a fork. Or simply use frozen (thawed) or canned squash puree. Find frozen squash puree near other vegetables in the freezer section and canned squash near the canned pumpkin.

Nutrition

Per bar: 146 calories; 6 g fat (3 g sat, 1 g mono); 37 mg cholesterol; 18 g carbohydrates; 5 g protein; 1 g fiber; 209 mg sodium; 79 mg potassium.

1 Carbohydrate Serving

Exchanges: 1 starch, 1 fat