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Two-Ingredient 'Japanese Cheesecake' Surges on TikTok as Yogurt-and-Biscuit Hack Goes Global

Originating in Japan, the hack swaps cream cheese for Greek yogurt, prompting challenges to the 'cheesecake' claim.

Overview

  • The minimalist recipe pairs a tub of Greek yogurt with biscuit cookies (often Lotus Biscoff) for a cheesecake-like texture after several hours in the fridge.
  • Travel creator @explorewithtaka highlighted the Japan trend on Jan. 7, and posts since have drawn major engagement including a @jericafeasts video topping 10.7 million views and tens of thousands of hashtagged clips.
  • Critics argue the dessert should not be called cheesecake because it lacks cream cheese, framing it instead as a yogurt-based shortcut.
  • Creators are publishing richer riffs using Philadelphia no-bake cheesecake spread, strawberry compote, caramel or cookie sauces, and cookie crumbles.
  • Variations now span Oreos, graham crackers and Parle-G with cardamom, plus protein powder or cottage cheese versions, with plain unsweetened yogurt iterations positioned as lower sugar and fat than standard cheesecake.