Low Fat Summer Cheesecake

Cheesecake is such a rich dessert that you really need only a small piece. Here's a low fat version that uses a mix of light and fat-free cream cheese and low-fat cottage cheese to shave off a significant number of fat calories. Top with fresh berries.

• 15 ginger or vanilla wafer cookies (such as Mi-Del brand)
• Cooking spray
• 1 8-ounce pack fat free cream cheese, softened
• 1 8-ounce pack light cream cheese, softened
• 1 cup low-fat cottage cheese
• 1 egg
• 4 egg whites
• Zest and juice of 1 lemon
• 1 cup sugar
• 2 cups seasonal berries

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray a 9-inch springform pan with cooking spray. Place cookies in a small food processor and make crumbs—or place cookies in a large resealable bag and crush with a rolling pin.

Scatter crumbs in the bottom of the pan and press down. Bake for 10 minutes, remove from oven and allow to cool.

Meanwhile, place cream cheeses and cottage cheese in a large mixing bowl or in a blender. Beat with an electric mixer or blend until smooth and creamy. Add egg and beat/blend into cream cheese mixture, followed by egg whites, beating until blended. Add lemon juice, zest and sugar, and beat/blend until well combined.

Empty cheesecake filling into springform pan. Bake in oven for 50 minutes, until the center is almost set. Remove from oven. Run a palette knife around the outside of the cheesecake to allow air to circulate a little, and cool on a wire rack. Carefully remove rim of pan, then chill for at least 4 hours.

Top with berries.

Serves 12

Per Serving: Calories 211, Calories from Fat 61, Total Fat 6.8g (sat 3.2g), Cholesterol 35mg, Sodium 300mg, Carbohydrate 28.1g, Fiber 1.2g, Protein 9.3g

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