Chocolate Chai Greek Yogurt Cheesecake Bars

Ingredients

• 9 graham crackers (full sheets)
• 5 tablespoons unsalted butter* (cold)
• 2 tablespoons cocoa powder
• 8 oz. cream cheese
• 1/2 cup nonfat plain Greek yogurt
• 1/4 cup maple syrup
• 1 egg white
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/4 cup semisweet chocolate chips
• 1 teaspoon coconut oil
• 1 teaspoon chai spices

Steps

1. 1

   Preheat the oven to 350ºF. Spray an 8x8-inch pan with nonstick cooking spray or line it with parchment paper. Set aside.

2. 2

   Place the graham crackers, butter, and cocoa powder into a food processor. Process everything together until the mixture turns into a crumble, about 3-4 minutes.

3. 3

   Transfer the graham cracker crumb mixture into the prepared pan. Use your fingers or a spatula to tightly press it into an even layer in the bottom of the pan.

4. 4

   Bake the crust for 7 minutes. Remove from the oven and set aside.

5. 5

   While the crust bakes, wash and dry the food processor. Add the cream cheese, Greek yogurt, and maple syrup to the food processor. Blend until smooth. Scrape the sides of the bowl with a spatula and add the egg white and vanilla. Blend until smooth.

6. 6

   Remove 1/2 cup of the cream cheese mixture from the food processor and set aside.

7. 7

   Pour the remaining cream cheese mixture (in the food processor) onto the crust. Use a spatula to spread it in an even layer. Set aside.

8. 8

   Place the chocolate chips and coconut oil into a microwave safe bowl. Microwave in intervals of 10 seconds, stirring in between each, until the chocolate chips are melted.

9. 9

   Add the 1/2 cup of reserved cheesecake batter, melted chocolate chips, and all of the chai spices to the food processor. Blend until smooth.

10. 10

    On top of the layer of plain cheesecake, create a checkerboard design (horizontal and vertical lines) with the chocolate chai cheesecake mixture. Don't worry if the lines are not perfect!

11. 11

    Use a toothpick to swirl the chocolate cheesecake mixture and plain cheesecake mixture together to create a marble top.

12. 12

    Bake for 25-30 minutes.

13. 13

    Remove bars from the oven and let cool completely at room temperature. Once cool, transfer to the refrigerator and chill for at least 2 hours before cutting into bars.