Holiday Cheesecake

Prep Time: 20 min
Cook Time: 25 min
Level of Difficulty: Advanced

Ingredients

Bottom Crust:

• 1/2 cup almond flour mixed with 1 to 2 tsps of Splenda and 1 or more tsps of cinnamon
• Optional: chopped or slivered nuts

Filling:

• 2 cups part-skim ricotta cheese
• 1 cup low-fat cream cheese
• 1 cup low-fat cottage cheese
• 4 eggs
• 1/3 cup Splenda
• 1/3 cup all-purpose flour
• 1½ teaspoons vanilla extract
• ¼ teaspoon almond extract
• 1 tablespoon lemon or orange juice
• ½ to 1 teaspoon lemon or orange zest

Cheesecake with sugar

Bottom Crust:

• 1/2 cup almond flour mixed with 1 to 2 tsps of Splenda and 1 or more tsps of cinnamon

Optional: chopped or slivered nuts
Filling:

• 2 cups part-skim ricotta cheese
• 1 cup low-fat cream cheese
• 1 cup low-fat cottage cheese
• 4 eggs
• 1/3 cup sugar
• 1/3 cup all-purpose flour
• 1½ teaspoons vanilla extract
• ¼ teaspoon almond extract
• 1 tablespoon lemon or orange juice
• ½ to 1 teaspoon lemon or orange zest

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 375°.
2. Prepare springform pan by spraying it with vegetable oil. Distribute and press almond mixture and optional nuts into the bottom of the springform pan. Place all filling ingredients in a mixing bowl, food processor or blender and process until smooth. Pour over crust and bake for 25 minutes or until set. Remove from oven and cool to room temperature before adding toppings.
3. Topping Ideas:
   Cocoa: Put 1 tablespoon unsweetened cocoa powder in a sifter or sieve and dust top of cooled cheesecake. Unsweetened cocoa has a slightly bitter taste; you can sweeten it with sugar or diet sweetener, if desired.
4. Fruit:
   For a festive red and green topping perfect for Christmas celebrations, decorate cake with sliced kiwis and raspberries. The fruit can be combined with a teaspoon of sugar or sweetener for a glazed look.
5. Raspberry sauce:
   1 cup fresh (or frozen, defrosted) raspberries
   1 or 2 tablespoons of sugar or equivalent amount of sweetener.
6. A few drops of lemon or lime juice
7. Place all ingredients in a blender or food processor and purée. If you want a very smooth sauce, use a fine sieve to strain out the seeds.

Nutrition at a Glance (per serving—without toppings)
Cheesecake with Splenda
Calories:190
Total fat: 11g
Saturated fat: 6g
Total carbohydrate: 8g
Dietary fiber: 0g
Protein: 14 g
Cheesecake with sugar
Calories: 210
Total fat: 11g
Saturated fat: 6g
Total carbohydrate: 14g
Dietary fiber: 0g
Protein: 14g