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.

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

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

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

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

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

A simple swirl on top of the cheesecake gives this dessert an elegant touch.

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.

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

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

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.

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.

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

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.