Healthy Cheesecakes - Cooking Light

Photo: Ellen Silverman

Our Favorite Healthy Cheesecakes

You might think it's impossible to lighten this creamy, rich dessert without compromising flavor. After taking a gander at these recipes, you'll soon be reformed. We've baked everything from a fancy, swirled variety, to a fall-flavored option, and, of course, we didn't forget about the classic New York-style favorite.

First up: The tang of cream cheese and sour cream in the filling rounds out the citrusy sweetness. Make up to three days ahead.

View Recipe: Satsuma Orange Cheesecake

Photo: Becky Luigart-Stayner

Brown Sugar Cheesecake with Cranberry Compote

Thick cranberry sauce lends brilliant color and sweet-tart taste to this rich cheesecake.

View Recipe: Brown Sugar Cheesecake with Cranberry Compote

Photo: Becky Luigart-Stayner

Ginger Pumpkin Cheesecake

Make this cake a day ahead, and refrigerate. Large crystals of raw brown Demerara sugar look and taste lovely, but the cake is still delicious without it. To prevent the crust from sticking to your fingers while pressing it into the pan, lightly coat your hands with cooking spray.

View Recipe: Ginger Pumpkin Cheesecake

Photo: Beau Gustafson

Pumpkin Cheesecake Bars

This dessert combines the spicy flavors of a pumpkin pie with the creamy richness of a cheesecake.

View Recipe: Pumpkin Cheesecake Bars

Photo: Randy Mayor

Nectarine Cheesecake with Pistachio Brittle

Make this cake a day ahead, and refrigerate. Large crystals of raw brown Demerara sugar look and taste lovely, but the cake is still delicious without it. To prevent the crust from sticking to your fingers while pressing it into the pan, lightly coat your hands with cooking spray.

View Recipe: Nectarine Cheesecake with Pistachio Brittle

Photo: Becky Luigart-Stayner

Swirled Cranberry Cheesecake

Grate the orange and lemon rind before squeezing for juice. Garnish with extra orange rind.

View Recipe: Swirled Cranberry Cheesecake

Photo: Levi Brown

Pumpkin-Almond Cheesecake

A deliciously dense almond cake rests underneath the cheesy spiced pumpkin layer. Almond brittle adds a spectacular finishing touch.

View Recipe: Pumpkin-Almond Cheesecake

Photo: Quentin Bacon

Fresh Cherry Cheesecake Bars

With their combo of shortbread-like crust, creamy cheesecake, and fresh summer cherry goodness, these bars will make you the hit of the picnic.

View Recipe: Fresh Cherry Cheesecake Bars

Photo: Gentl & Hyers

Cranberry Swirl Cheesecake

A simple swirl on top of the cheesecake gives this dessert an elegant touch. (Learn How to Make a Swirl Cheesecake). If the cranberry mixture gets too thick, add a tablespoon of water and whirl it around in the food processor. You can also make this in an 8-inch springform pan; it'll be very full, so you should cook over a foil-lined baking sheet. Cook time will be the same.

View Recipe: Cranberry Swirl Cheesecake

Photo: William Meppem

Sheep's-Milk Yogurt Cheesecakes

This delicate dessert blends sheep's-milk yogurt and a whiff of rose water into creamy cheesecakes served with grilled figs. "A total A++ experience with sheep's-milk yogurt," says Assistant Test Kitchen Director Tiffany Vickers Davis.

View Recipe: Sheep's-Milk Yogurt Cheesecakes with Grilled Figs and Pistachios

Photo: Randy Mayor

Caramel-Apple Cheesecake

This creamy cheesecake combines the pleasant tartness of apples with the buttery sweetness of caramel to really showcase fall flavors.

View Recipe: Caramel-Apple Cheesecake

This indulgent cheesecake brings tropical-fruit flavor to the party, but still has only 295 calories per serving.

Photo: Becky Luigart-Stayner

Guava-Swirled Cheesecake

This indulgent cheesecake brings tropical-fruit flavor to the party, but still has only 295 calories per serving.

View Recipe: Guava-Swirled Cheesecake

Photo: Oxmoor House

Piña Colada Cheesecake Bars

This recipe uses a small amount of coconut flour, which is slightly sweet, high in fiber (3 grams per tablespoon), and gluten free. Look for it in health-food stores or order online. You also can substitute an equal amount of gluten-free all-purpose flour.

View Recipe: Piña Colada Cheesecake Bars

Photo: Becky Luigart-Stayner

Ricotta Cheesecake with Fresh Berry Topping

You'll need to make at least 1 1/2 batches of Homemade Ricotta Cheese for this luscious dessert. Although cream cheese-based cheesecakes are served chilled, ricotta cheesecakes are often enjoyed warm or at room temperature.

View Recipe: Ricotta Cheesecake with Fresh Berry Topping

Photo: Randy Mayor

Cheesecake with Fresh Strawberry Sauce

Make this creamy cheescake with fresh strawberry sauce recipe for a party—it will be a hit!

View Recipe: Cheesecake with Fresh Strawberry Sauce

Photo: Becky Luigart-Stayner

New York Cheesecake

This low-fat cheesecake recipe lets you enjoy a slice of classic New York cheesecake without all the guilt. Fat-free sour cream and cottage cheese and reduced-fat cream cheese keep this dessert light, creamy, and flavorful.

View Recipe: New York Cheesecake