Make delicious low-calorie strawberry cheesecake bars using a hand mixer and your oven. They come together in less than an hour and then chill overnight until you’re ready to serve them.
Preheat oven to 350 F. Prepare an 8-inch by 8-inch baking dish with parchment paper placing it horizontal and vertical hanging over the sides of the dish for easy removal.
Using a hand mixer, beat the eggs whites together in a large mixing bowl until stiff peaks form.
Add the the sugar, vanilla, applesauce, maple syrup and oil to the eggs and fold until just combined.
To the batter, fold in the salt and flour. Do not over mix. Transfer the batter to the prepared baking dish and smooth with a spatula in an even layer.
Place in the oven and bake at 350 F for 30 minutes until the edges are brown.
While the crust is baking, add the cream cheese and 3 teaspoons of zero calorie sweetener to a bowl and whisk together well.
After you remove the crust from the oven, spread the cream cheese evenly over it. It should spread easily as the crust is warm.
Next add the strawberry preserves to the top, placing random dollops of it all over. Then using a toothpick swirl the preserves into the cream cheese.
Chill 8 hours in the refrigerator covered, overnight is best. When you're ready to eat, lift the parchment paper up to remove the bars from the dish and slice into bars.
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Notes
Use a warm knife, dipped in warm water and dried, to cut the cheesecake cleanly into bars.
Soften the cream cheese to room temperature to blend it smoothly for the cheesecake.
Freeze these dessert bars for up to 3 months. Thaw them in the refrigerator for 24 hours before enjoying them.