Clean-ish Raspberry Cheesecake Cups

It’s no secret that I have been fully taking advantage of this holiday season of the yummy with all of the yummy treats! Typically I try to “healthify” our favorite treats but during the holiday season I tend to let loose 😜. As we prepare for the New Year I’m leaning back into whole food meals. And by leaning I mean really EASING my way into cleaning up our meals. I thought I’d start with today’s kid-friendly dessert recipe for New Year’s Eve. Enter: Raspberry and Yogurt Cheesecake Cups 👌.

Big Plans

Even before the days of quarantine, Antone and I rarely made it out for a fun New Year’s Eve Party. With the kids little and family far away, we have become quite seasoned in “wild” New Years Eve celebrations at home with kiddos 😂. What makes the night a good time for us is simple: silly dance parties and easy yummy food! This year I’m making sheet pan nachos for dinner with half cauliflower and half tortilla chips to (again) EASE our way into healthy eating in the New Year.

Back to the my Clean-ish Raspberry Cheesecake Cups…

So Cool Obvi…

I adore dessert recipes in cups! What makes these really special for kids is the fact that you can totally get real or plastic wine glasses or champagne flutes to “amp up the fun factor”. I don’t know about all of you, but using grown up wine glasses for sparkling cider as a kid was the most magical experience ever. I remember feeling totally cool, just like one of the adults 😎. Layer this simple and healthy dessert into a glass and get ready for the kids to feel like the life of the party!! (Even if the party is in pj’s before 7pm HAHA)

Make Ahead

Another reason why this recipe is a favorite is because it can be made ahead. Prepare the cups in the morning or even the night before, cover the tops and bring them out when you’re ready to ring in the new year!

Flavor Profiling

These clean-ish Raspberry Cheesecake Cups are my favorite meld of flavors. Sweet, salty, a bit tangy from the cream cheese and the perfect little crunch from the pretzels. Raspberries really add the perfect sweet zing the cups need to make all of the flavors truly sing. Yes, this recipe is proof that a dessert can be fun, healthy, and completely delicious.

Did I mention these delicious cheesecake cups are 1/3 less of the calories of my favorite slice of cheesecake from The Cheesecake Factory? I promise this recipe to have all the decadence of your favorite slice, guilt free 🤗 Let’s get started!

You Will Need:

Pretzel crust:

2 1/2 cup pretzels salted

1/4 cup melted butter or refined coconut oil

1/4 cup brown sugar or coconut sugar

Yogurt Cheesecake filling:

6 oz cream cheese softened

1 1/2 cup greek yogurt (I like nonfat plain)

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1/4 cup honey or maple syrup

Toppings:

Fresh Raspberries (approx 2 cups)

Grated Dark Chocolate, fresh mint, and sprinkles for rim of glass (optional)

Make the Crust

In a food processor add pretzels, melted butter, and brown or coconut sugar and mix until smooth. *Alternatively, if you do not have a food processor, crush the pretzels in bag the mix with butter and sugar in bowl.

Press the pretzel mixture into the bottom of wine glasses or champagne flutes. Now we’re ready for the yogurt cheesecake layer!

Yogurt Cheesecake Layer

Simply beat the softened cream cheese, yogurt, vanilla, and honey or maple syrup in a mixing bowl with an electric mixer or stand mixer. Beat until completely smooth and then use a spoon to layer in cup over pretzel layer.

Raspberries and Garnish

Layer fresh raspberries over the yogurt mixture. From here, you may layer the filling again and the the raspberries again for two layers (this is totally up to how many layers you prefer!)

When the yogurt and berry layers are done, garnish with dark chocolate shavings, a sprig of fresh mint and some sprinkles. I ended up using pink sugar sprinkles to line the rim of the cup but you can decorate as you please!

Calorie Count

Typical I am not one for calorie counting but as we enter the new year and new goals, having yummy desserts that are low in calories really does make any “diet” not really seem like a diet. I’m happy to report that these cups are 1/3 of the calories of a slice of cheesecake!! Cheesecake factory classic cheesecake slice will run you about 1,000 calories and these cups are 180 calories for a snack size cup and 380 calories for a full size cup! Plus they are loaded with healthy goodness like probiotics and antioxidants from the fresh raspberries… The best part is that the texture and flavor is unreal!! We can’t wait to dig into these cups tonight for a guilt free treat 🤩.

My New Chopper

For Christmas hubby got me this little Kitchen Aid chopper to match my stand mixer!! For this recipe, I got to test it out as a mini food processor which is akitchen appliance I have never owned before. The size is great as it’s easy to store and I’m excited for all of the tiny onions I no loner have to mince by hand whilst crying 🤣. The chopper is also super affordable at $40! Linking this handy chopper below!

*This is an affiliate link which means when you purchase directly from this link I may receive a small commission at no additional cost to you which helps to support the blog.

Video Tutorial

To see this recipe in action, head to my Instagram for my video tutorial in reels. If we aren’t friends there yet, I’d love to have you!

Recipe card is below. Can’t wait to hear how you enjoy this one and Happy New Year friends!!

X o X o ,