Why You’ll Love This Strawberry Cheesecake in a Jar:
- Low in SmartPoints: At 5 SmartPoints per serving, this dessert is a great option when you’re craving something sweet but want to stay within your points budget. The combination of light ingredients and portion control helps keep the points in check while still delivering all the flavors you love.
- Portion-Controlled: The jar format makes this dessert perfect for portion control. It’s easy to enjoy a satisfying serving without overindulging. You can also make several jars ahead of time for meal prep.
- Creamy and Delicious: With the fat-free cream cheese and Greek yogurt, the cheesecake filling is still rich and creamy without all the fat and calories of traditional cheesecake. The fresh strawberries add a burst of sweetness, making every bite refreshing and delicious.
- Customizable: You can swap out the graham cracker crumbs for a gluten-free option or even use a nut-based crust if you prefer. You can also add different fruit toppings like blueberries, raspberries, or a berry compote to change up the flavor.
Meal Prep Tips:
This Strawberry Cheesecake in a Jar is a fantastic option for meal prep. You can make these jars ahead of time and store them in the fridge for 3-4 days. They also make a great make-ahead dessert for parties or gatherings because they’re individual servings and easy to grab and go. If you want to make them in bulk, you can double or triple the recipe and store extra jars in the fridge.
Customization Ideas:
- Add Nuts: If you like a little crunch, consider adding chopped nuts like almonds, walnuts, or pecans to the graham cracker crust for extra texture and flavor. Just be sure to count any additional points for the nuts.
- Different Fruit: While strawberries are classic and fresh, you could also make this dessert with blueberries, raspberries, or blackberries. The natural sweetness of these fruits will complement the cheesecake filling wonderfully.
- Sugar-Free Options: To reduce the sugar even further, you can use sugar-free versions of the graham cracker crumbs and sugar substitutes like stevia or monk fruit to sweeten the cheesecake filling and strawberries. This will lower the points even more.
- Whipped Topping: For an extra indulgent touch, you can add a little light whipped topping or fat-free whipped cream on top of the cheesecake before serving. This will add a bit more creaminess and fluff to the dish without adding many points.
Weight Watchers Strawberry Cheesecake in a Jar Recipe
This recipe is simple to prepare, with minimal ingredients and quick steps. It makes a great portion-controlled dessert that’s ideal for meal prep or a small treat after dinner.
Ingredients (Makes 4 servings):
- 1/2 cup graham cracker crumbs (about 4 full graham crackers crushed)
- 1 1/2 tablespoons light butter (melted)
- 1 cup fat-free cream cheese (softened)
- 1/2 cup non-fat Greek yogurt
- 1/4 cup powdered sugar (or sugar substitute equivalent like stevia or monk fruit)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup fresh strawberries (sliced)
- 1-2 teaspoons honey or maple syrup (optional, for sweetening the strawberries)
Instructions:
- Prepare the Graham Cracker Crust:
- In a small bowl, mix the graham cracker crumbs with the melted light butter. Stir until the mixture is evenly combined.
- Spoon a tablespoon of the graham cracker mixture into the bottom of each jar or dessert cup. Press down lightly to form the crust.
- Make the Cheesecake Filling:
- In a medium bowl, beat the fat-free cream cheese with the non-fat Greek yogurt, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract until smooth and creamy. You can use a hand mixer or whisk for this step.
- Once the filling is well-mixed and smooth, spoon it over the graham cracker crust in each jar, dividing it equally among the jars. Smooth the top with a spoon.
- Prepare the Strawberry Topping:
- In a small bowl, mix the sliced strawberries with honey or maple syrup if you want a little extra sweetness. Let them sit for 5-10 minutes to release some of their juice and make a slightly syrupy topping.
- Spoon the strawberries over the cheesecake filling in each jar.
- Chill and Serve:
- Cover the jars and refrigerate for at least 2-3 hours or overnight to let the flavors meld and the cheesecake set.
- When ready to serve, garnish with additional strawberries or a dollop of light whipped cream (optional).
Nutritional Information (per serving):
This recipe makes 4 servings. The approximate nutritional breakdown for 1 serving (1 jar) is as follows:
- Calories: 180 kcal
- WW SmartPoints: 5 points per serving (depending on the specific ingredients used)
- Carbs: 22g
- Fiber: 1g
- Net Carbs: 21g
- Protein: 6g (thanks to the Greek yogurt)
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Sugar: 12g (from the strawberries and powdered sugar)
- Cholesterol: 20mg
- Sodium: 120mg
- Potassium: 220mg