🍒 Cherry-Almond Cheesecake Bars

I've tried these medicated and non-medicated, and trust me—they're dangerously good either way. The cherry-almond combo hits that perfect balance between tart, nutty, and creamy, and with a sugar-free twist, they're friendly to both your taste buds and your blood sugar.

These bars bake up rich, smooth, and slightly tangy, with a chewy oat-almond crust that's impossible to resist. They're low-fat, diabetic-friendly, and (of course) Chef-420-approved!

Ingredients:

Crust:

• ⅔ cup cannaflour (or all-purpose flour)

• ⅔ cup quick-cooking oats

• 3 Tbsp packed brown sugar or 1½ tsp brown sugar substitute*

• 2 Tbsp finely chopped almonds

• ¼ cup medicated butter

Filling:

• Two 8-oz packages reduced-fat cream cheese

• ⅓ cup granulated sugar or substitute* (equivalent to ⅓ cup)

• 2 tsp vanilla extract

• ¼ tsp almond extract

• 1 cup egg product (thawed) or 4 eggs, lightly beaten

• ⅓ cup finely chopped dried cherries

Optional Garnish:

• 10 Tbsp fat-free whipped topping, thawed

• 2 Tbsp sliced almonds

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease or foil-line an 8x8-inch pan.

2. In a bowl, combine flour, oats, brown sugar, and almonds. Cut in butter until crumbly. Press evenly into the pan.

3. Bake 12 minutes until lightly golden.

4. Meanwhile, beat cream cheese, sugar, vanilla, and almond extract until fluffy. Add eggs on low, one at a time. Stir in cherries.

5. Spread the mixture over the crust. Bake 25–35 minutes or until set in the center.

6. Cool completely, then chill at least 2 hours (overnight is best).

7. Cut into bars. Garnish with whipped topping and almonds if desired.

8. Store covered in the refrigerator. Makes 20 bars.

Sugar substitutes:

• Use 1½ tsp Sweet'N Low® Brown for brown sugar.

• For white sugar, choose Splenda®, Sweet'N Low®, or Nevella®. Follow package ratios for ⅓ cup sugar equivalence.

Nutrition (with substitute): ~122 cal, 9g carbs, 0.5 carb exchanges per bar.

Whether you go medicated or not, these cheesecake bars are dangerously snackable. The almond crust and cherry pop of flavor make them perfect for sharing—or keeping all to yourself.