Light Cheesecake Recipes

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.

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.

BLUEBERRY CHEESECAKE

Steps:

• Combine crumbs, 2 tablespoons sugar and butter. Pat mixture into the bottom of a 9 inch springform pan.
• Mash cream cheese until soft and creamy. Gradually beat in sour cream, 3/4 cup sugar, vanilla and flour. Beat in eggs one at a time.
• Pour mixture into crumb-lined pan. Bake in a preheated 325 degree F (165 degrees C) oven for 1 hour or until firm to the touch.
• Cool and then remove cake from pan by loosening edges with a knife. Place frozen blueberries on top of cake. Melt jelly and spoon over blueberries to glaze. Chill until ready to serve.

OUR BEST CHEESECAKE

Steps:

• Heat oven to 350 degrees F.
• Mix graham crumbs, butter and 1/4 cup sugar; press onto bottom of 9-inch springform pan.
• Beat cream cheese and remaining sugar in large bowl with mixer until blended. Add sour cream and vanilla; mix well. Add eggs, 1 at a time, beating on low speed after each addition just until blended. Pour over crust.
• Bake 1 hour to 1 hour 10 min. or until center is almost set. Run knife around rim of pan to loosen cake; cool before removing rim. Refrigerate cheesecake 4 hours.
• Top with pie filling before serving.

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.