One of my favorite bloggers, Jessica at The Novice Chef, has a category of recipes on her blog called "Ass Friendly" {meaning healthy or low calorie, in case you didn't pick up on that}. It's one of the many reasons why I love reading her stuff. {Plus, I'm pretty sure she likes wine as much as I do. Which is a lot. Instant bond.}
Anyway, if Jessica's healthy recipes are considered "Ass Friendly", then the recipe I'm about to share with you would be part of the polar opposite category we'll call "Ass Hostile". Except that sounds absolutely terrible and a bit like an adjective that would be used to describe a horrible virus you might get if you don't wash your hands. So, let's go with "Elastic Waistband Friendly" instead. In short, this is to be enjoyed in moderation.
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| No, friends. This is not one serving. |
Remember that Nutella Caramel Sauce I posted a few days ago? Well, I had a lot left over. And since I know I am not to be trusted with large quantities of anything even remotely related to Nutella, I had to find a way to use it up fast.
And so, Nutella Caramel Swirl Cheesecake Bars were born.
These little babies are rich. Buttery. Sweet. They are unassumingly dangerous. And one too many will bring the elastic waistband pants out of their drawer. So share. {Even though you won't want to.}
They've got a brown sugar shortbread crust, a not-too-thin, not-too-thick layer of cheesecake, and of course... a seductive swirl of Nutella Caramel running throughout.
Good stuff. And by good, I mean bad. Very, very bad.
So, get some Ass Friendly recipes from Jessica's blog, and then come back here when you want to treat yourself for all the healthy eating you've done. These bars will be waiting. 😉
Nutella Caramel Swirl Cheesecake Bars
a Kitchen Prep original recipe
For Nutella Caramel Sauce
- Click here for recipe
For crust:
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2 cups all-purpose flour
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½ cup firmly packed brown sugar
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1 ½ sticks butter, cut into small pieces
- 1 - 8oz. block cream cheese {you can use reduced fat if you're already feeling guilty}
- ⅓ cup sugar
- 1 egg
- ½ to 1 teaspoon vanilla
- ¼ cup Greek Yogurt {once again, trying to healthy up the unhealthy}
In a medium bowl, combine cream cheese and sugar until fluffy and incorporated. Add egg, and beat until combined. Add vanilla and Greek yogurt and mix until smooth.
Pour into crust.
Spoon globs of Nutella Caramel sauce onto cheesecake batter, dotting throughout the mixture. With a skewer, toothpick, or tip of a knife, carefully swirl caramel throughout cheesecake to create marbleized effect.
Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes, until filling is mostly set {not super jiggly}. If caramel is cooking too rapidly or becoming too bubbly, cover lightly with a sheet of aluminum foil for the last 10 minutes.
Cool to room temperature, then refrigerate and let cool completely before cutting into bars.
MyFudo™ says
Looks so intriguing! I cannot resist those swirls, girl! Will have to try this...i don't mind the little bulges as long as I get to bite this heavenly treats! Thanks for sharing!
The Kitchen Prep says
I agree. Some treats are worth an extra pound or two! 😉 Plus, I always think about the fact that I'm burning calories with all the hours I log on my feet in the kitchen, so it's got to counteract some of those little bulges & dimples... right? 😉 Thanks for reading & enjoy!
Lannie says
looks so tasty!! such pretty work with the swirls.
The Kitchen Prep says
Thank you! They taste even better than they look! 😉
TastefullyJulie says
Wow. These look absolutely amazing. I'll pin them to make later when I'm self-loathing 🙂
The Kitchen Prep says
Hi Julie! Thanks so much... they are indeed delicious & a wonderful treat for a "calorie splurge". 😉 Would love to know how you like them when you get around to making them! P.S. I took a peek at your blog & can't wait to have time to sit down and browse.. looks fantastic!
Dori says
Oh wow these look amazinging. I love nutella!
Daniela says
pinning this to my must makes, even thought it's ass hostile 😀 😀 😀
The Kitchen Prep says
Haha! "Ass Hostile" = Tastebud Friendly!! 😉 Enjoy & let me know if you think they're worth the calories when you make them!
The Kitchen Prep says
Thank you, Dori! I am a huge Nutella fan as well... as I'm sure you might have been able to tell. 😉 Thanks for stopping by!
Katrina says
I was just browsing some food porn on pinterest and found these! This is happening this weekend. I think that ass hostile maybe the funniest thing I have read on a food blog, ever. Thanks for sharing this glorious recipe!
The Kitchen Prep says
I NEVER thought those two words would appear side by side in a food blog... but they did. Haha! Please let me know how yours turn out {and start deciding right now who you will be sharing them with or you will definitely run the risk of eating them all yourself}! Thanks for reading, Katrina! 🙂
Alyssa says
You are a LIFE SAVER.
I had a horrible recollection this morning that I have to have a cheesecake or some other dairy dessert made by tonight for a Jewish shindig.
I had no idea what I was going to make until I saw this on Foodgawker. I have half a jar of Nutella that I need to get out of my apartment, because I still have an unopened bag of pretzels in my possession as well. Now, I can make my dairy dessert, AND save myself from blacking out and finishing the jar. Thanks, girl!
P.S. Love your blog. Literally laughed out loud while reading it. Being filed on my favorites bar? I think yes.
The Kitchen Prep says
Yay! I'm so glad I could help with both coming up with a dessert idea AND avoiding certain Nutella destruction! Nutella and pretzels is one of my absolute favorite snacking combos, too. I know how hard it can be to put down the jar & "just say no". Haha!
Thanks so much for the sweet comment, so glad you stopped by! Please let me know how everyone at the shindig likes the bars! 🙂
shelley c. says
WOW. Those look sinfully delicious in the most delightful way possible! Awesome job with the Willow Bird challenges, and amazingly innovative cheesecake.
The Kitchen Prep says
Thanks, Shelley! They are definitely a sinful treat for special occasions! And thanks for checking out my creations for the Challenge! 🙂
Loretta E. says
This is absolutely GORGEOUS! I want to print it and put it on the wall of a coffee shop or something.
The Kitchen Prep says
@Loretta - Haha! That's so sweet! 🙂 Thank you for stopping by!
Danny says
Dianna, I love that you use greek yogurt in this to make it healthier. I'm such a Nutella fanatic that you have to keep it away from me or I'll eat it all up with a spoon and never bake with it. This sounds great with the caramel combo - yummmm!
thekitchenprep says
@Danny - Thank you! The use of Greek yogurt is sort of "in vain" as there are copious amounts of sugar & butter in this, but it does make it a little better in my brain to know that I saved a handful of calories. 😉 I do the exact same thing with Nutella... it doesn't last long in my house!
Humphrey Addison says
This is so beautiful and I’m sure it’s all super delicious! Looks so pretty, so good and sounds so awesome!
Home Chef
Allie BakingAMoment says
Omg, I'm lol-ing over here, Dianna! Too funny- especially the ass-hostile part. <-- No, that sounds dangerous. But the bars look phenomenal! Love the cheesecake/Nutella combo 😉