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+ servings

Strawberry Cheesecake Cookie Bars | PALEO

Servings: 12
Calories: 311kcal

Ingredients

For the Cookie Bar Base

  • 1/3 cup honey or maple syrup
  • 1/4 cup butter, coconut oil, or ghee, softened
  • 1 egg
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1/3 cup shredded coconut
  • 1/3 cup walnuts or pecans, or sliced almonds
  • 1 cup almond flour
  • 2 tbsp coconut flour
  • 1/2 tsp baking soda
  • pinch sea salt

For the Strawberry Cheesecake Layer

  • 1 1/4 cups raw cashews (soaked in cold water for 2+ hours for the best texture)
  • 1/3 cup coconut milk
  • 1/4 cup coconut oil
  • 1/3 cup honey or maple syrup
  • 1 tbsp lemon juice
  • 2 tsp vanilla extract
  • pinch salt
  • 6 large strawberries

Additional sliced strawberries for garnish, optional

    Instructions

    • Preheat the oven to 350ºF.  Line an 8" square baking dish with parchment paper.
    • Combine the softened butter, egg, honey, and vanilla in a large mixing bowl, until smooth.  Stir in the coconut and chopped or sliced nuts.  Add the dry ingredients:  almond flour, coconut flour, baking soda, and sea salt.  Stir until combined with the wet ingredients.
    • Scoop the cookie bar dough into the lined baking dish, pressing it just slightly up the sides and smoothing over the center.
    • Bake for 18 to 20 minutes, or until light golden brown.
    • Meanwhile, work on the Strawberry Cheesecake Layer!  Add all of the "cheesecake" ingredients to a high-speed blender or food processor, and blend until super smooth.
    • Remove the cookie bars from the oven, and allow them to fully cool.
    • Spread the cheesecake layer over top of the cookie bar, and top with additional sliced strawberries.
    • Transfer to the freezer to firm up and cool completely.  Use a hot knife to slice into squares, and serve chilled.

    Notes

    • You can use honey or maple syrup interchangeably in this recipe, depending on your preference.  I personally like the lighter, sweet flavor of raw honey, especially in the cheesecake layer.
    • If you don't have time to soak your cashews for 2+ hours, go ahead and soak them for even 15 minutes using hot water.  It can make a big difference in the texture, especially if you don't have a super high-speed blender such as a Vitamix.
     

    Nutrition

    Calories: 311kcal | Carbohydrates: 25g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 23g | Saturated Fat: 8g | Cholesterol: 14mg | Sodium: 118mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 18g | Iron: 2mg