A new trend is coming for the Cheesecake Factory’s throne. Called the “two-ingredient cheesecake,” this new viral snack involves putting cookies (typically Biscoff cookies) into a container of Greek yogurt, then popping it in the fridge for 5 to 12 hours.
Originating in Japan, the intended result of this recipe is a light, fluffy dessert with a cheesecake-like texture — that also happens to pack a lot of protein, thanks to the Greek yogurt. And while the snack is more akin to an icebox cake — a no-bake dessert made by layering cookies or wafers with whipped cream or pudding and chilling it until the cookies soften — many people online are giving the trend a thumbs up.
“At first I hated it, but now I love it,” Los Angeles-based personal trainer Kyra Pellant told Yahoo. “I used unsweetened Greek yogurt, which is more tart, so if people want it to taste more sweet, I recommend sweetened yogurt. So good though.”
Food and Wine writer Merlyn Miller also applauded the trend, calling it “one of social media’s best creations yet.”
Influencer Logan Rae Hill, who made several versions of the cheesecake, took to her TikTok to review the recipe. “Whoever came up with this is a genius,” she said, calling the dessert a “really good, easy, high-protein dessert.” In her comments section, one person suggested using Oreo cookies instead of Biscoff — a tweak many others on social media are also trying, along with flavors like tiramisu and even Snickers.
How healthy is the two-ingredient cheesecake trend?
Dietitians who spoke with Yahoo gave the trend their seal of approval — but with a couple of caveats.
“This is definitely one of those snacks that can help satisfy a sweet craving, but I love that it has Greek yogurt in it because of the protein, making it a more balanced treat for people,” dietitian Shelley Balls of Flawless Bloom told Yahoo. Though Balls said she wouldn’t recommend the treat every day for breakfast due to the sugar content in the cookies, she said it’s a good choice for a pre- or post-dinner treat.
“It’s not going to skyrocket blood sugar levels because it has that protein,” she explained. “And the other bonus of that is it also has those probiotics in that Greek yogurt, so it can actually help with gut health.”
Dietitian Lauren Manaker told Yahoo over email that this snack can be a smart choice. If you’re craving cheesecake, it can “definitely hit some of those creamy, sweet notes without the full cheesecake commitment.” That being said, however, “if you’re dreaming of the real deal, sometimes it’s better to just go for it.”
Balls agreed, noting that people who are trying to satisfy a craving may try dupes like this cheesecake, and then end up eating more calories overall. In that case, she said, it’s ideal to just eat a moderate portion of cheesecake from the beginning.
As for which yogurt is best for this dessert, Balls recommended people pick plain Greek yogurt if they don’t mind the tartness, since the dessert will already be sweetened by the cookies. This can reduce the snack’s sugar content.
Balls said that while you don’t need to eat large amounts of yogurt, full-fat Greek yogurt — as opposed to low-fat or nonfat — can actually help steady blood sugar because the protein and fat slow how quickly sugar enters the bloodstream.
If you are on a weight loss journey, however, Balls suggested sticking with lower-fat Greek yogurt options, as you will need to cut calories from your diet in some way.
