Reduced Fat Chocolate Cheesecake Recipes

CHOCOLATE RICOTTA CHEESECAKE (HEALTHY, BAKED)

Steps:

• Lightly grease a 23 cm (9 inches) spring-form pan and line with parchment paper. (I like to line the bottom of the pan and grease the ring and sprinkle with a little flour-see post for more detail). Set aside. Preheat the oven to 350 F/ 180 C/170 C fan/ gas mark 4.
• Melt the chocolate by placing it in a heat proof bowl over a pot of gently simmering water (the water must not touch the bowl). Stir as the chocolate is melting. Remove from the heat when the chocolate has melted almost completely (it will continue melting away from the heat). Set aside.
• In a large bowl gently whip the ricotta, cream cheese and half the sugar until smooth. Gradually add the flour, cocoa and egg yolks and beat until smooth. Gradually pour in the melted chocolate (once cooled) and continue beating until just combined.
• In a separate bowl beat the egg whites until soft peaks start forming. Gradually add the remaining sugar and continue beating until glossy, fluffy and thick.
• Add the egg whites mixture (in 4 goes) into the batter gently folding in using a spatula until just combined. Pour the cheesecake batter into the pan, smooth out the top and bake in the centre of the oven for 1 hour. After 35-40 minutes cover loosely with baking paper or foil to prevent the cheesecake browning too quickly and cracking.
• Turn off the oven, remove the foil covering the cake and leave the oven door slightly open (6-7 inches). After 15 minutes open the door a little more. After 30-40 minutes remove the cheesecake from the oven and set aside to cool completely.
• Run a spatula around the cake and remove the ring (see post for tips on how to safely remove the cheesecake from the pan). Decorate with chocolate shavings (I used a vegetable peeler to make the shavings). Serve with whipped cream or fruit compote. Keep refrigerated. Best served at room temperature.

LOW-FAT CHEESECAKE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Wrap the outside of a 9-inch springform pan with foil to prevent leaks. Coat the inside of the pan with cooking spray.
• Pulse the graham crackers in a food processor until crumbled. Add 1 to 2 tablespoons water and the butter; pulse until moistened. Press the crumbs onto the bottom of the prepared pan. Bake until browned, about 8 minutes. Let cool, about 10 minutes.
• Meanwhile, beat both cream cheeses and the sugar with an electric mixer on medium-high speed until smooth, about 5 minutes. Beat in the sour cream on low. Lightly whisk the 3 egg whites in a bowl, then add to the cheese mixture along with the 2 whole eggs, flour, vanilla and lemon zest. Beat on medium speed until fluffy, about 3 minutes. Pour over the crust.
• Place the cheesecake in a roasting pan and add enough warm water to come one-quarter of the way up the sides of the springform. Bake until the cake is set but the center still jiggles, about 1 hour 10 minutes. Turn off the oven; keep the cheesecake inside with the door closed for 20 minutes.
• Remove the cake from the water bath and transfer to a rack. Run a knife around the edge, then cool completely. Chill until firm, at least 8 hours. Top as desired.

LIGHT CHOCOLATE CHEESECAKE

Steps:

• Coat a 9-in. springform pan with cooking spray. Sprinkle with crumbs; set aside. Place the half-and-half, cream cheese, cottage cheese, sugar, cocoa, flour and vanilla in a food processor; cover and process until smooth. Transfer to a large bowl; stir in egg substitute. Fold in chocolate chips. Pour into prepared pan. Place pan on a baking sheet. , Bake at 325° for 25-30 minutes or until almost set. Cool on a wire rack for 10 minutes. Carefully run a knife around the edge of pan to loosen and cool 1 hour longer. Refrigerate overnight. Sprinkle with shaved chocolate. Refrigerate leftovers.

ULTRA-DELISH LOW-FAT CHOCOLATE CAKE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray 2 round cake pans with non-stick cooking spray and sprinkle with flour. Sift together all the dry ingredients in a large mixing bowl. In a small bowl, mix applesauce, milk, vanilla, coffee, prunes, chocolate, almond extract and egg whites. Fold into the dry ingredients. Bake for 40 minutes.

REDUCED-FAT CHOCOLATE CHEESECAKE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 300F.
• Grease a 9-inch springform pan and sprinkle the bottom with combined cracker crumbs and sugar.
• In a mixing bowl, beat cream cheese until fluffy.
• Mix in cocoa and flour.
• Add remaining ingredients and mix well.
• Pour batter into prepared pan and bake for 40-50 mins or until just set.
• Cool to room temperature and chill for at least 3 hours before serving.

LOW-FAT CHEESECAKE

Steps:

• In a bowl, beat cream cheese, 2/3 cup sugar and 1/2 teaspoon vanilla until fluffy. Gradually add egg substitute; beat until smooth. Pour into a 9-in. pie plate that has been coated with cooking spray. Bake at 350° for 30-35 minutes or until puffy and light brown around the edges. Cool on a wire rack for 10 minutes. , Meanwhile, combine sour cream and remaining sugar and vanilla. Spread over cheesecake. Bake 15 minutes longer. Cool completely on a wire rack. Refrigerate. , Before serving, top each serving with 2 tablespoons cherry pie filling.

GERMAN CHOCOLATE CHEESECAKE (LOW FAT AND LOW SUGAR)

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 425 degrees F; Place a pan 1/3 full of water on bottom shelf, in the oven.
• For crust mix together in a 9" spring form pan chocolate graham cracker crumbs, cocoa, 1/4 cup Splenda, and 4 Tbls Smart Balance for crust and press mixture across the bottom and about one inch up the sides. Place pan in refrigerator while mixing the filling.
• To prepare filling melt chocolate and set aside. Blend cottage cheese in food processer until silky smooth and there are no lumps (hint, go an extra 2-3 minutes longer once you think all of the lumps are gone). In large mixing bowl combine, cottage cheese, cream cheese, 1/3 cup Splenda, yogurt and 1 tsp vanilla. Beat with a mixer until smooth. Add flour, 1 tablespoon at a time, blending well after each addition. Add Egg Beaters and melted chocolate. Blend well. Pour into crust. Place cheesecake on center shelf in the oven. Bake 10 minutes without opening oven door at 425 degrees;. Reduce oven to 225 degrees; and continue baking 35-45 minutes or until center is set. Remove from oven. With knife loosen sides and cool completely. Chill overnight before adding topping.
• For topping melt Smart Balance in small saucepan. Stir in 3/4 cup Splenda, evaporated milk and 1/4 cup Egg Beaters. Cook and stir over low heat about 10 minutes or till thickened. Take off heat and stir in coconut and pecans. Spread topping over cake. Garnish with 1/3 cup coconut, pecan halves. Drizzle melted semisweet chocolate over top if desired. Keep refrigerated.