Low Fat Graham Crust Recipes

GRAHAM CRACKER CRUST

Steps:

• If you're starting out with full graham crackers, use a food processor or blender to grind them into fine crumbs. You can also place them in a zip-top bag and crush them into fine crumbs with a little arm muscle and a rolling pin.
• Stir the graham cracker crumbs and granulated sugar together in a medium bowl, and then stir in the melted butter. The mixture will be thick, coarse, and sandy. Try to smash/break up any large chunks.
• Pour the mixture into an ungreased 8-inch, 9-inch, or 10-inch pie dish, cake pan, springform pan, or square pan. With medium pressure using your hand, pat the crumbs down into the bottom and up the sides to make a compact crust. Do not pack down with heavy force because that makes the crust too hard. Simply pat down until the mixture is no longer crumby/crumbly. Tip: You can use a small flat-bottomed measuring cup to help press down the bottom crust and smooth out the surface, but do not pack down too hard. If making a pie, run a spoon around the bottom "corner" where the edge and bottom meet to help make a rounded crust⁠-this helps prevent the crust from falling apart when you cut slices.
• For a baked dessert, pre-bake this crust per your filling recipe's directions. I usually pre-bake for 10 minutes at 350°F (177°C). For a no-bake dessert, cool the crust completely before using, unless your filling's recipe instructs otherwise.

HOMEMADE GRAHAM CRACKER CRUST

Steps:

• In a small bowl, combine the crumbs and sugar; add butter and blend well. Press onto the bottom and up the sides of an ungreased 9-in. pie plate., Refrigerate for 30 minutes before filling, or bake at 375° until crust is lightly browned, 8-10 minutes. Cool on a wire rack before filling.

HEALTHIER GRAHAM CRACKER CRUST

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
• In a medium bowl, mix together graham cracker crumbs, cocoa powder, yogurt, and brown sugar. Press mixture firmly into a 9 inch pie pan.
• Bake in preheated oven for 5 minutes.

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.

LOW-FAT ALL-PURPOSE PIE CRUST

Steps:

• In a food processor pulse together all-purpose flour, toasted wheat germ, salt, and baking powder. Add cold, unsalted butter, and process until largest pieces are the size of small peas.
• With machine running, add low-fat buttermilk until dough just holds together.
• Pat into a disc, wrap in plastic, and refrigerate for 1 hour (or overnight).

GRAHAM CRACKER CRUST LOW FAT LOW SUGAR

Steps:

• In a food processor, combine crumbs, sugar and butter.
• Pulse until blended.
• Add egg white and pulse until evenly moistened.
• Press into a 9" pie plate.
• Bake at 375 degrees for 8-10 minutes.
• Cool completely before using.

LOW FAT GRAHAM CRUST

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375°F.
• Combine graham with melted butter and sugar and mix well.
• Mix in egg white and mix well.
• Press crumbs into a 9-inch pie plate.
• Bake for 4-8 minutes, just until the crust is beginning to bake. Do not allow to burn.
• Remove and cool- now it's ready for your wonderful pie!