Light and Luscious Chocolate Cheesecake
This Light and Luscious Chocolate Cheesecake is definitely chocolaty and delicious without all that added fat and calories. Saving almost 10 grams of fat per serving, you will feel good about eating dessert this holiday season.
I love the holidays and I dread them all at the same time.
All.
That.
Food.
Honestly, what is it about the holiday season that says we have to eat until we’re stuffed, loosen our belts, and then eat some more?
All.
That.
FOOD!
If you’re anything like me you can’t seem to resist NOT eating all that food. It all just looks so gooooooooood and so tasty and I just need to eat it all. I have no filter. It’s sad.
This week’s theme is all about lightening up our holiday recipes. From drinks to appetizers, side dishes and desserts, there’s something for everyone this week. And something to help us all from gaining large amounts of weight this holiday season.
When I think of holiday food, it’s always cakes and cookies, maybe a roast beast, but usually the sweet stuff. I’m always on the lookout for a deliciously moist and low fat cake or cupcake. Pie? Well, we’re not really big pie eaters. Brownies? Yes please. Cheesecake? ALWAYS! It’s almost always our go to dessert on a menu or a special dinner out.
I have a pretty killer, tasty, and delicious low fat cheesecake recipe. The best part? You can make it all in your food processor. Yup! You don’t need to dirty a lot of bowls and baking utensils. You simply need a couple of measuring cups, a couple of measuring spoons, your food processor, a small bowl and a springform pan. So, not only is it light in calories, it’s also light on your dish washer, whomever that is.
I didn’t think so. And trust me when I say it is delicious! You will not miss all those calories and fat. Your belt will thank you and your taste buds will thank you.
Light and Luscious Chocolate Cheesecake
This Light and Luscious Chocolate Cheesecake is definitely chocolaty and delicious without all that added fat and calories. Saving almost 10 grams of fat per serving, you will feel good about eating dessert this holiday season.
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups chocolate cookie crumbs
- 4 tablespoons butter, melted
- 16 ounces nonfat Greek yogurt
- 16 ounces fat free cottage cheese
- 16 ounces fat free cream cheese
- 1 cup sugar (or sugar substitute of choice)
- 3/4 cup egg substitute
- 1/2 cup dark chocolate cocoa powder
- 2 teaspoons espresso powder
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350.
- Combine the cookie crumbs and melted margarine until a coarse meal forms. Wrap the bottom of an 8 inch spring form baking pan in aluminum foil and press cookie crumb mixture into bottom and 1/2 inch up the sides. Bake in 350 oven for 8 to 10 minutes. Allow to cool completely
- Put the yogurt in a strainer lined with cheesecloth, coffee filters, or paper towels and allow to drain for 1 hour. Drain the cottage cheese in the same manner for 30 minutes to an hour.
- Combine both in the bowl of a food processor and process until smooth. Cream the cream cheese and sugar until smooth. Add 1/3 of the cottage cheese mixture to the cream cheese and beat until completely incorporated and smooth. Add the remaining cottage cheese mixture and process until completely smooth. Add the egg substitute and process until smooth.
- Add the cocoa powder to the cheese mixture; processing until combined and smooth.
- Preheat oven to 350.
- Pour the filling into the springform pan being careful not to disturb the crust. Bake for 30 minutes. Turn and bake an additional 10-20 minutes or until barely set in the center.
- Remove from oven and allow to cool completely. Carefully wrap the springform pan in plastic wrap and chill in the refrigerator for at least 3 hours before serving.
Appetizer or starter
- Lightened Up Cornbread Stuffing by Cindy’s Recipes and Writings
- Fresh Salmon Carpaccio by Food Lust People Love
Side Dishes
- Butternut Squash Orzo Pasta by Life Tastes Good
- Quick and Easy Sweet Potato by The Educators’ Spin On It
- Roasted Garlic Cauliflower Mash by The Girl In The Little Red Kitchen
- Green Beans with Rosemary Garlic Butter by Hezzi-D’s Books and Cooks
- Leaner Green Beans by Noshing With The Nolands
- Healthier Potluck Broccoli-Cauliflower Salad by The Weekend Gourmet
Desserts
- Pumpkin Cheesecake Dip by Peanut Butter and Peppers
- Sweet Apple Bites by Mama’s Blissful Bites
- Light and Luscious Chocolate Cheesecake by A Kitchen Hoor’s Adventures
- Pumpkin Pie Pudding by The Life and Loves of Grumpy’s Honeybunch
- Cinnamon Roll Granola Bars by Pies and Plots
I can just imagine this with a drizzle of melted cherry jam… mmmm
Mmmm, chocolate cheesecake. I want a piece of it!
Oooh this looks delicious. I Pinned it! Hello from Wake Up Wednesday!
I'm always up for cheesescake. Yours looks so creamy!
Ī love Chocolate cheesecake, will be trying this out soon
#wakeupwednesday
This looks heavenly! I can't believe its "light" either! Love your photos too 🙂
Julie@ Sweet and Spicy Monkey
I am bowled over what by this cheesecake. Not only is it light in calories, but dang girl look how fluffy it is! And there is NO doubt that it's creamy. My favorite! Good job.
Thank you, Bobbi! Address? I'll freeze and ship ya one! 🙂
Chocolate??? and cheesecake??? Please sign me up!! I love using yogurt and cottage cheese in this – very unique!
Wow, this looks amazing. Thanks for sharing!
that looks delicious!!!
Cheesecake is my ultimate weakness and favorite dessert during the holidays. This version is super crazy lightened up, which I love! I will definitely be trying this out..
Your cheesecake looks amazing. I can't believe you use all those fat free ingredients and get it looking incredible!
I was surprised as well, Heather! It's all in the baking. You really have to pull it out at just the right time and not overcook it.
Whipping up dessert in a food processor is a definite plus…Especially when it is an espresso spiked chocolate cheesecake like yours, Christie! =)
Thank you, Kim! I love that it doesn't take many gadgets or bowls to whip this up.
Doesn't look dry at all, not even on tiny bit! In fact, it looks fabulous, Christie. This is going to be right up there with Roast Beast as my favorite holiday treat.
Thank you, Stacy! You're too kind. It actually goes well with roast beast! We have that for Christmas dinner; prime rib roast. YUM!
What a lovely cake, although I'm afraid I would have to wait for guests to come over, because I "may" eat the whole thing by myself and that wouldn't be very light!
Funny you mention that. We went to dinner with Dad and SM. The waitress asked if we wanted dessert and the hubs said, "We have cheesecake." Me, "Um..it's not ready yet." He couldn't WAIT to eat it.
Looks delicious.
Thanks, Chris!
Light and luscious is a perfect description for this gorgeous cheesecake!!
Thanks, Tara! Happy to see you round the "table" with us!
Oh, my. SO creamy and irresistible! Perfect for the Thanksgiving table!
Thank you, Liz! It really is very creamy! And so easy.
What an ingenious way to lighten up cheesecake! Wonderful job. It looks delicious!
Renee – Kudos Kitchen
Thank you, Renee!!
Your photo certainly does not look light, it looks delicious and I love how you lightened it up!
Thank you, Shelby! If I had known how easy cheesecake was, I would have made it more often!