Low-Fat Cheesecake

Ingredients
9 whole low-fat cinnamon graham crackers, broken in half
2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
Cooking spray
2 8-ounce packages Neufchatel cream cheese, softened
2 8-ounce packages fat-free cream cheese, softened
1 1/2 cups sugar
1 cup reduced-fat sour cream
2 large eggs plus 3 egg whites
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 teaspoon finely grated lemon zest
Assorted toppings


Directions
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Pulse the graham crackers in a food processor until crumbled. Add 1 to 2 tablespoons water and the butter; pulse until moistened. Wrap the outside of a 9-inch springform pan with foil to prevent leaks. Coat the inside of the pan with cooking spray and press the crumbs onto the bottom. Bake until browned, about 8 minutes. Let cool, about 10 minutes.


Meanwhile, beat both cream cheeses and the sugar with a mixer on medium-high speed until smooth, 5 minutes, then 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, 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.


SOURCE

Lemon Icebox Bars

Ingredients

Crust:

• 14 whole-grain graham cracker squares (7 full sheets)
• 2 tablespoons melted unsalted butter
• 1 tablespoon dark brown sugar
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• Cooking spray

Filling:

• 1 (8-ounce) package 1/3 less-fat cream cheese, softened at room temperature
• 1 (14-ounce) can fat-free sweetened condensed milk
• 1/4 cup pasteurized egg product (such as egg beaters)
• 1 teaspoon finely grated lemon zest
• 1/2 cup fresh lemon juice
• 2 teaspoons powdered gelatin
• 3 tablespoons boiling water

Make Crust:

Directions

Place graham crackers in the bowl of a food processor and pulse until crumbs are formed. Add butter, brown sugar and salt and pulse to incorporate, until crumbs resemble wet sand. Coat an 8-inch square pan with cooking spray and pack crumbs firmly into the bottom of it. Refrigerate until ready to use.

Make the filling:

In a large bowl, combine cream cheese, condensed milk and pasteurized egg product and beat on high with an electric mixer until smooth and creamy, about 2 minutes. Add lemon zest and juice and beat until fully incorporated, another 30 seconds. In a small bowl, combine the gelatin and boiling water and whisk until gelatin is entirely dissolved; let cool 2 to 3 minutes. Stir the gelatin into the cream cheese-lemon mixture until well incorporated. Pour the filling over the crust. Refrigerate for 8 hours or overnight, until filling is firm. Slice into 2-inch squares using a chilled knife coated with cooking spray.

Per Serving:

Serving size is 1 square

Calories 155; Total Fat 5.5 g; (Sat Fat 3 g, Mono Fat 1.5 g, Poly Fat 0 g) ; Protein 5 g; Carb 22 g; Fiber 0 g; Cholesterol 18 mg; Sodium 165 mg

SOURCE:  Lemon Icebox Bars




NOTES:  Health Benefits of Lemon  (from SOURCE)

• As a natural antiseptic, the juice of the lemon will destroy harmful bacteria found in the cuts and other areas of infection.
• For toothache, apply fresh lemon juice on the painful area.
• For skin problems, the juice of the lemon should be applied directly to the skin and allowed to dry especially for acne and eczema, then remove with water with olive oil added. The juice is also good for the removal of blackheads, freckles and wrinkles.
• Lemon juice when applied to hair after rinsing it , will give shine and volume to your hair.
• Lemon juice helps to prevent and cure osteoarthritis.
• Helps to prevent diabetes.
• Lemon juice helps in preventing the development and progression of atherosclerosis.
• Lemon juice is a great liver tonic.

Lemon