Greek Honey Pistachio Cheesecake (Printable)
Creamy cheesecake meets sweet Greek honey and crunchy pistachios in these luscious bars with a buttery crust.
# What You'll Need:
→ Crust
01 - 1 cup graham cracker crumbs (or digestive biscuits)
02 - 1/2 cup shelled pistachios, finely chopped
03 - 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
04 - 2 tbsp honey
→ Cheesecake Filling
05 - 16 oz cream cheese, softened
06 - 1/3 cup Greek yogurt
07 - 1/3 cup honey
08 - 1/4 cup granulated sugar
09 - 2 large eggs
10 - 1 tsp vanilla extract
11 - 1/2 tsp lemon zest
12 - Pinch of salt
→ Topping
13 - 1/3 cup shelled pistachios, roughly chopped
14 - 2 tbsp honey, warmed
# Directions:
01 - Preheat oven to 325°F. Line an 8x8-inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving overhang for easy removal.
02 - Combine graham cracker crumbs, finely chopped pistachios, melted butter, and honey in a medium bowl. Mix until texture resembles wet sand. Press firmly into pan bottom.
03 - Bake crust for 8 minutes. Remove from oven and let cool slightly.
04 - Beat cream cheese until smooth. Add Greek yogurt, honey, sugar, eggs, vanilla extract, lemon zest, and salt. Mix until fully combined and silky, avoiding overmixing.
05 - Pour filling over cooled crust and smooth top. Bake for 30-32 minutes until center is just set but slightly jiggly.
06 - Cool to room temperature, then refrigerate at least 3 hours or preferably overnight until fully chilled.
07 - Drizzle with warmed honey and sprinkle with roughly chopped pistachios. Slice into 12 bars.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- The honey creates a floral sweetness that balances the rich cream cheese perfectly
- That pistachio crust adds the most incredible buttery crunch in every bite
02 -
- Overmixing the filling introduces too much air and leads to unsightly cracks during baking
- The center should still have a slight jiggle when you remove it from the oven because it continues cooking as it cools
03 -
- Room temperature ingredients are non-negotiable for achieving that silky smooth texture
- A water bath is not necessary but will give you the creamiest, most luxurious results