Best Light Cheesecake Recipes

LIGHT AND FLUFFY LEMON JELLO CHEESECAKE

Steps:

• Mix Graham cracker crumbs, 1 tablespoon sugar, and melted butter or margarine.
• Press Graham cracker crumb mixture into the bottom of a 9"x13" pan. (You do not need to grease the pan.).
• Mix lemon Jello with 2 cups boiling water until Jello is dissolved.
• Add cream cheese to Jello mixture, breaking cheese up with a potato masher or the beaters of an electric mixer.
• In a chilled bowl (glass or metal work best) whip with electric mixer chilled evaporated milk with 1 tablespoon sugar until small peaks form. (Getting peaks to form is much easier if the bowl and milk are cold.).
• Add Jello mixture to evaporated milk and continue to beat until well blended.
• Pour over Graham cracker crust.
• Chill until firm.

LIGHT AND AIRY CHEESECAKE

Steps:

• Preheat an oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Wrap the exterior of an 8-inch springform pan with aluminum foil, then spray the interior with cooking spray. Spread the vanilla wafer crumbs over the bottom and sides of the pan, pressing firmly to adhere.
• Cream together the egg yolks and sugar in a large bowl. Stir in the cream cheese, sour cream, and vanilla extract until smooth. Beat egg whites until foamy in a large glass or metal mixing bowl. Add the cream of tartar, continuing to beat until stiff peaks form. Lift your beater or whisk straight up: the egg whites should form a sharp peak that holds its shape.
• Use a rubber spatula or wire whisk to fold 1/3 of the egg whites into the cream cheese mixture . Gently run the spatula through the center of the bowl, then around the sides of the bowl, repeating until fully incorporated. Add the remaining egg whites, folding just until incorporated. Pour the batter into the prepared springform pan. Line a roasting pan with a damp kitchen towel. Place springform pan on towel, inside roasting pan, and place roasting pan on oven rack. Fill roasting pan with boiling water to reach halfway up the sides of the baking dish.
• Bake in the preheated oven for about 50 minutes. The cheesecake is ready when the edges have nicely puffed and the surface of the cheesecake is firm except for a small spot in the center that will jiggle when the pan is gently shaken. Turn off the oven, and allow the cheesecake to rest in the oven for 1 hour before placing into the refrigerator, and cooling 4 hours to overnight.

CRUSTLESS PUMPKIN CHEESECAKE PIE WITH GREEK YOGURT (LIGHT, LOWFA

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 325°F.
• Have all ingredients at room temperature, but if your cream cheese or neufchatel cheese is still cold, microwave it for 15-20 seconds to soften it.
• Check your canned pumpkin: If it is very dense and stiff, scrape it into a small bowl and mash it well; then gradually add almond milk (or milk) and mix until the pumpkin is the consistency of fluffy mashed potatoes; set aside. (Even if your pumpkin is soft and fluffy to start with, it would probably help to use at least a little almond milk to impart a little creamier texture.).
• Beat the softened cream cheese with an electric mixer on medium speed until blended and smooth.
• Add Greek yogurt and mix to incorporate.
• Add sugar and spice; beat until incorporated.
• Lightly beat one egg, add to batter and beat briefly just to combine. Repeat with remaining egg.
• Add pumpkin; beat just until incorporated and smooth.
• Spray a round 9-inch pie pan with cooking spray. Pour batter into pan.
• Bake in middle of oven at 325 degrees for about 30-35 minutes, until center is almost set (the center should jiggle slightly when pan is gently shaken).
• Remove from oven and cool on a rack. When completely cool, chill for at least a few hours (or place in freezer for about 30-40 minutes).
• NOTE: You could probably substitute 7/8 cup cooked pureed pumpkin or other winter squash for the canned pumpkin.

LIGHT, SUMMERY LEMON CHEESECAKE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C). Grease and flour a loaf pan, or any pan with sides at least 4 inches high.
• Beat sugar and butter using an electric mixer in a large mixing bowl until creamy, scraping the bowl often with a rubber spatula. Continue to beat, adding eggs 1 at a time, until well combined.
• Combine flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a separate bowl.
• Reduce mixer speed to low and continue beating the sugar mixture. Gradually add flour mixture alternatively with buttermilk until well combined, 2 to 3 minutes. Add lemon zest and lemon extract; mix well. Spread pound cake crust mixture into the prepared pan.
• Bake in the preheated oven until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, 55 to 60 minutes.
• Let pound cake cool completely. Cut cake into pieces and press into the bottom of a 10-inch springform pan. Set aside.
• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
• Beat cream cheese and sugar using an electric mixer in a large mixing bowl until fluffy. Add eggs 1 at a time, beating well after each addition. Add lemon pudding, sour cream, and lemon zest; blend well. Pour filling into prepared crust and spread evenly.
• Fill an oven-safe container with water and place it in the preheated oven under the rack where you will place the cheesecake; this will prevent cracking.
• Bake cheesecake in the preheated oven until almost set, about 45 minutes.
• Meanwhile, beat egg whites, cream of tartar, and salt together in a bowl using an electric mixer until soft peaks form. Pour in sugar while beating constantly until glossy peaks form.
• Remove cheesecake from oven, leaving oven on. Spread meringue topping over the filling to edges, using a spatula to tap for desired peaks. Return cheesecake immediately to oven.
• Continue to bake cheesecake until meringue is golden brown, 14 to 15 minutes. Turn off the oven. Crack the oven door open, and let cheesecake set and slowly cool for 15 minutes.
• Remove from oven and let cheesecake cool completely, 20 to 30 minutes more. Refrigerate 8 hours to overnight.

LIGHT CHEESECAKE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°. In a small bowl, combine wafer crumbs, butter and 1 teaspoon sugar. Press onto the bottom and 1/2 in. up sides of a greased 9-in. springform pan. Bake 8 minutes. Cool on a wire rack. Reduce oven setting to 325°., In a large bowl, beat cream cheeses and remaining 1-1/4 cups sugar until smooth. Beat in sour cream, cornstarch and vanilla. Add eggs and egg whites; beat on low speed just until blended. Pour into crust. Place pan on a baking sheet., Bake 60-65 minutes or until center is almost set. Cool on a wire rack 10 minutes. Loosen sides from pan with a knife. Cool 1 hour longer. Refrigerate overnight, covering when completely cooled., Remove rim from pan. Top cheesecake with strawberries.

LIGHT LEMONY BERRY CHEESECAKE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Spray a 9-inch (23-cm) springform pan with cooking spray.
• Use a measuring cup to gently press the graham cracker crumbs into the bottom of the prepared pan. Spray the crust with cooking spray. The crust will not be very thick.
• In a blender, combine the cottage cheese, cream cheese, eggs, sugar, lemon zest, lemon juice, flour, and vanilla and blend until smooth. Pour into the crust and bake for 40 minutes. Let cool completely. Chill in the refrigerator for at least 4 hours, or up to overnight.
• Toss the berries with a pinch of sugar. Serve the cheesecake cold, topping each slice with some of the berries.

LIGHT AND FLUFFY LEMON CHEESECAKE

Steps:

• Crush biscuits and add to melted butter.
• Press into a 9" spring form cake tin.
• Bake in oven for 10 minutes at 180 degrees celsius.
• Dissolve jelly in hot water.
• Add lemon juice to make up 1 cup of liquid and also add lemon rind.
• Whip evaporated milk until very thick.
• Beat separately the cream cheese, sugar and vanilla.
• Fold into beaten milk.
• Fold in warm jelly and lemon mixture.
• Pour into case and chill 24 hours.
• Decorate with cream and strawberries if desired.

NO BAKE - LIGHT AND FLUFFY CHEESECAKE

Steps:

• 1. Crust Mix graham cracker crumbs and melted butter together; pack 2/3 of mixture on bottom and sides of 9x13x2-inch pan. Note: To save time , you can also use 2 store bought pre-made graham cracker crust .. there is enough filling from this recipe to fill two crusts.
• 2. Filling Dissolve gelatin in boiling water. Chill until slightly thickened. Cream together cheese, sugar and vanilla; add gelatin and blend well. Fold in stiffly whipped MILNOT. (This can be done with electric mixer.) Pour filling into graham crust . Top evenly with final 1/3 of graham cracker crumbs.
• 3. Refrigerate at least 6 hours before serving. Note: If desired top with your favorite topping before serving (cherry, strawberry, blueberry) 12 servings

LIGHT CHOCOLATE MOUSSE CHEESECAKE

Steps:

• In the top of a double boiler, heat chocolate, stirring occasionally, until chocolate is melted and smooth. Remove from heat and allow to cool to lukewarm. In a small bowl, sprinkle gelatin over cold water; let set 5 minutes. Place the bowl over hot water in the pan and stir until gelatin dissolves; set aside.
• In a large bowl, cream together the cream cheese and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in rum, egg yolks and dissolved gelatin. Beat in the melted chocolate. Fold in whipped cream.
• In a large glass or metal mixing bowl, beat egg whites until stiff peaks form. Fold 1/3 of the whites into the batter, then quickly fold in remaining whites until no streaks remain. Pour mousse into pie crust. Refrigerate at least 4 hours before serving.

LIGHT CHERRY AMARETTO CHEESECAKE ICE CREAM

Steps:

• In a small bowl, add 2 tablespoons sugar to beaten egg yolks. Whisk well.
• In a medium pot, combine remaining 4 tablespoons sugar with milk, and bring almost to a simmer over high to medium-high heat.
• Scoop out a small amount of hot milk to temper the egg yolks (about ¼ cup); slowly whisk into egg yolks. Repeat this one more time.
• Add egg mixture to pot of hot milk and whisk thoroughly. Cook, stirring constantly, over medium to medium low heat until thickens and coats the back of a spoon, about 3-5 minutes. Do not let mixture boil. Remove from heat.
• In a large mixing bowl (an electric mixer works best), beat cream cheese and mascarpone until well whipped. Add jam, lemon juice, extracts, and Amaretto, and beat to combine. On low speed, gradually beat in hot milk mixture. Cream cheese will not be completely dissolved/smooth - that is OK.
• Let mixture cool before chilling in the refrigerator. This takes about 10 minutes if you place the container in a bowl filled with ice and cold water. Chill in the refrigerator for at least 3 hours.
• Stir mixture to re-combine and freeze in an ice cream machine, according to manufacturer's directions. In the last minute or two of freezing, add the graham cracker pieces.
• Serve immediately or freeze for 1-4 hours, if a firmer consistency is desired. Top with cherries (and almonds, if using) and enjoy! This is best eaten the same day you make it.

LIGHT CHERRY CHEESECAKE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 325 degrees, with rack set in lower third. Assemble a 9-inch springform pan with the rimmed side of the pan facing down. Coat pan with cooking spray; line side with a long strip of waxed or parchment paper.
• In a food processor, grind graham crackers until fine crumbs form. Add oil, and pulse to moisten. Transfer crumbs to prepared pan, and press firmly into the bottom. Place pan on a rimmed baking sheet; bake until crust is lightly browned, about 15 minutes.
• Meanwhile, wipe bowl and blade of food processor. Blend cottage cheese and cream cheese until very smooth and glossy, scraping down bowl as necessary, 4 to 5 minutes. Add 3/4 cup sugar, sour cream, eggs, flour, vanilla, and salt; blend just until filling is smooth.
• Pour filling onto crust (crust can be hot or warm). Bake until barely set in center, about 1 hour. Turn oven off; let cake cool in oven 1 hour. Transfer to a wire rack, and let cool to room temperature, about 2 hours. Refrigerate until firm, at least 3 hours and up to 2 days.
• Make topping: In a large skillet, combine cherries and remaining 2 tablespoons sugar. Boil over high heat until liquid is thick and syrupy, 10 to 15 minutes. Cool, and refrigerate for at least 2 hours and up to 2 days.
• To serve, unmold cheesecake (peel off and discard paper). Transfer to a serving platter; top with cherry topping.

LIGHT CHEESECAKE

Steps:

• Mix together graham cracker crumbs, melted butter or margarine, and 1/4 cup white sugar. Pat mixture into the bottom of a 9 inch springform pan. A 9 x 13 inch pan may also be used.
• Prepare dream whip according to directions.
• Beat cream cheese with 1 cup white sugar and vanilla; beat until creamy. Fold Dream Whip ™ into cream cheese mixture. Spread filling over crust. Refrigerate 1 to 2 hours, or until firm.

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.

LIGHT & CREAMY LAYERED LEMON CHEESECAKE

Steps:

• To make bottom layer:.
• Mix flour, margarine, and chopped nuts together and spread evenly in 9" x 13" x 2.5" pan.
• Bake 15 minutes on 350 degrees.
• Cool.
• To make second layer:.
• Blend cream cheese, powdered sugar, and Cool Whip in mixer.
• Spread over crust.
• To make third layer:.
• Mix pudding according to package directions (using 3 Celsius milk for 2 packages) and pour immediately into pan.
• To make top layer:.
• Spread remaining 9 oz. Cool Whip on top of other layers.

LIGHT LEMON CHEESECAKE

Steps:

• Spray 9-inch pie plate with cooking spray.
• Sprinkle with 1/2 of the graham cracker crumbs; set aside.
• Dissolve gelatin completely in boiling water in a small bowl, stirring 2 minutes.
• Pour into blender container.
• Add cheeses; cover.
• Blend on medium speed until smooth, scraping down sides occasionally.
• Pour into large bowl.
• Gently stir in whipped topping.
• Spread in prepared pie plate.
• Sprinkle remaining crumbs around outside edge, leaving center plain.
• Refrigerate 4 hours or until firm.
• Just before serving, gently spread pie filling onto center of cheesecake.

LIGHT CHEESECAKE

Steps:

• Cream egg yolks and sugar then add cream cheese 8 onces at a time blending well. Next add the sour cream, flour, vanilla, pineapple and juice.
• Beat egg whites addding pinch of cream of tartar (I use a 1/4 teaspoon) Beat until stiff, then fold into batter.
• Prepare 10 inch springform pan.
• Grease and sprinkle graham cracker crumbs on bottom and sides of pan.
• Put batter in prepared pan.
• Place pan in a pan of water. (I use a large roasting pan with about an inch or two of water).
• Bake at 350 for 50 Minutes.
• Then turn off oven and leave door halfway opened for 1 hour.
• After 1 hour remove cake from oven.

LIGHT LEMON CHEESECAKE

Steps:

• Sprinkle graham cracker crumbs on the bottom and up the sides of a 9-in. springform pan well coated with cooking spray; set aside. , In a large bowl, beat the cream cheese, sugar and salt until smooth. Add egg whites; beat on low speed just until combined. Stir in the lemon juice, vanilla and lemon zest., Pour into prepared pan. Bake at 325° for 70-80 minutes or until center is almost set. Cool on a wire rack for 10 minutes. Carefully run a knife around edge of pan to loosen; cool 1 hour longer. Refrigerate overnight. Top with strawberries and kiwi.

LIGHT-AS-AIR LEMON CHEESECAKE

Steps:

• DIRECTIONS 1. In food processor, process crumbs (to make crumbs,, 2 tablespoons of the sugar and butter until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Press mixture firmly over bottom and 1/2 inch up sides of a 9 inch springform pan. Bake in a 350˚ oven until lightly browned (about 10 minutes). 2. In clean food processor, combine 3/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons of the sugar, both packages of cream cheese, 1 cup of the sour cream, eggs, egg whites, lemon peel, lemon juice and flour. Process until smooth. 3. Pour cream cheese filling into crust. Return to oven and bake until filling jiggles only slightly in center when pan is gently shaken. (35-45 minutes) Cool in pan or on rack for 30 minutes. After you take the cake out of the oven, stir together remaining 1 cup sour cream and remaining 1 tablespoon of sugar, cover and refrigerate. Spread cooled cheesecake with sour cream topping. Cover and refrigerate until cold (at least four hours). To serve, remove springform pan rim. Garnish with fresh raspberries or strawberries, if desired.

DELICIOUS LITE CHEESECAKE (COOKING LIGHT)

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 300 degrees.
• Coat a 9-inch springform pan with cooking spray (coat well!).
• Combine crumbs, 1 1/2 tablespoons sugar, and melted margarine, then firmly press crumb mixture into bottom of pan.
• Combine 2/3 cup sugar, flour, cornstarch, vanilla, light cream cheese, and fat free cream cheese in a large bowl and beat at high speed of a mixer until smooth.
• Add milk and sour cream to cheese mixture, then beat until smooth.
• Beat egg whites at high speed of a mixer until soft peaks form.
• Clean and dry beaters, then add sugar to egg whites, a tablespoon at a time, until all sugar is incorperated and peaks form again.
• Gently fold egg white mixture into cheese mixture.
• Pour into prepared pan. Bake for 55-60 minutes or until almost set (a few inches in the middle will still jiggle lightly, and the edges will have started to pull away from the sides of the pan).
• Remove from oven, and run a dull knife around the edge of the cheesecake to seperate it from the side of the pan (helps prevent cracking).
• Cool completely on a wire rack, then cover and chill overnight. Enjoy the NEXT DAY!

COOKING LIGHT CHEESECAKE

Steps:

• Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees.
• To prepare cheesecake, place ½ cup sugar, wafers, and a dash of salt in food processor and process until the mixture resembles sand.
• Place one egg white in a small bowl and stir with a whisk until frothy. With the processor on, add 2 tbsp egg white through the chute, processing until blended. (Discard remaining egg white.).
• Spray 8 inch springform pan with cooking spray, and then firmly press mixture into the bottom of the pan and slightly up the sides.
• Bake at 350 for 10 minutes and then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
• Reduce oven to 300 degrees.
• Combine 1 ½ cups sugar, 3 tbsp cornstarch, and remaining dash salt in a large bowl. Add cheese and beat with a mixer on medium high speed until smooth.
• Reduce mixer speed to low and add vanilla and 1 tsp lemon juice and beat until just combined. Add eggs one at a time, and beat after each addition until just combined.
• Pour cheese mixture into prepared springform pan. Bake at 300 degrees for an hour and 15 minutes or until a 3 inch circle in the center of the cheesecake barely jiggles when the side of the pan is tapped.
• Turn oven off and leave cheesecake in the oven for 30 minutes with the door open.
• Remove cheesecake from oven, run a knife around the outside edge. Cool to room temperature on a wire rack. Cover and chill at least 8 hours.