Blueberry cheesecake slice

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Looking for healthier alternatives to unhealthy foods? Look no further! People tend to think that eating healthy means removing good-tasting foods from their diets and replacing it with boring vegetables. While you still should be eating your vegetables, there are fun and healthy alternatives for those sweet treats you may be craving. Personally, my favorite sweet is cheesecake. They are typically loaded with sugars and should not be consumed regularly. Instead of a sugar-filled traditional cheesecake, here is a healthier alternative!

Crust Ingredients 

  • 1 ½ cups of graham crackers
  • 7 large (or 14 small) pitted dates

Greek Yogurt Filling

  • 2 blocks of low fat softened cream cheese
  • 1 cup of plain nonfat Greek yogurt
  • ½ cup of pure maple syrup 
  • 1 tbsp lemon juice
  • 2 eggs
  • 2 tsp of vanilla extract 
  • 1 tbsp of cornstarch 

How to Prepare Crust

  • Soak dates in boiling water for 10 minutes, until soft 
  • Blend or pulse graham crackers. Drain the water from the dates and add them to the blender. Blend until a dough forms.
  • Dough should be crumbly but it should stick together when pressed between fingers.
  • Press crust evenly down on a 9 inch springform pan (both flat on the bottom, and up the side
  • Bake the crust at 350 for 5-7 minutes or until slightly golden
  • Change oven temperature to 325 after done baking the crust

How to Prepare Filling 

  • Beat yogurt and cream cheese together until smooth.
  • Add maple syrup, eggs, lemon juice, vanilla, and cornstarch. Mix until smooth.
  • Pour filling into crust, smooth the top, and lightly tap out air bubbles

Cooking

  • Place cheesecake on the upper oven rack, and place a large baking sheet filled halfway with water on the lower oven rack.
  • Bake cheesecake for 55-60 minutes at 325, or until the middle is set and sides are slightly puffy
  • Turn off the oven after it is cooked and leave the door open. Cool in the oven for an hour, then chill in the refrigerator for 4-6 hours.
  • Serve as desired and enjoy!

Written by GUADS staff member Emily,  with contributions from secretlyhealthyhome.com