Cheesecake squares with a cranberry swirl and a gingersnap pecan crust – so good, less guilt and perfect for the Holidays!

I’m so excited to share these with you, they turned out even better than I expected! 

Skinny Cranberry Swirl Cheesecake Squares
gordon-ramsay-recipe.com
Servings: 9 • Size: 1 cheesecake square • Old Points: 5 pts • Points+: 5 pts
Calories: 197 • Fat: 10 g • Protein: 6 g • Carb: 22 g • Fiber: 1 g • Sugar: 14 g
Sodium: 101 mg • Cholesterol: 0 mg

Ingredients

For the Cranberry Sauce:

• 3/4 cup fresh cranberries
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 1/4 cup water
• 1/2 teaspoon fresh orange zest

For the Crust:

• 3 oz gingersnap crumbs (from 12 gingersnap cookie, I used Nabisco brand)
• 1 oz pecans, crushed
• 1 1/2 tablespoons light butter, melted

For the Cheesecake:

• 8 oz 1/3 less fat cream cheese
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 6 oz nonfat Greek yogurt (Chobani)
• 2 egg whites
• 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
• 1 tablespoon flour

Directions:

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F and position a rack in the middle of the oven. Line an 8×8-inch baking pan with waxed paper, leaving a 2-inch overhang on all sides.

Begin by preparing the cranberry sauce.  Combine the cranberries, sugar, water, and orange zest in a small saucepan.  Cook together until the cranberries begin to burst and the mixture turns syrupy, about 6-7 minutes.  Remove from the heat, allow to cool as you prepare the remaining ingredients.

Combine the gingersnap crumbs, crushed pecans, and light butter in a small bowl.  Stir together to moisten the crumbs, then pour into the prepared baking pan.  Spread in an even layer, using the bottom of a drinking glass to help ensure that the crust is even.

In a medium bowl, beat the cream cheese, sugar, and vanilla extract with an electric mixer until smooth.  Add in the Greek yogurt, egg whites, lemon juice, and flour, mixing until just combined.  Pour the cheesecake mixture into the pan, over the crust, and smooth with a spatula.

Add the cooled cranberry mixture to a food processor, and puree until smooth.  If the mixture is too thick, add 1/2 tablespoon water.  Use a spoon to drop the cranberry sauce over the cheesecake, and then swirl the cranberry sauce with a butter knife.

Bake the cheesecake in the preheated oven for 25 minutes.  Allow the cheesecake to cool to room temperature, and place in the fridge for several hours to get well chilled.  Once chilled, cut into squares and serve.

References

1. ^{^} strawberry cheesecake swirl (www.gordon-ramsay-recipe.com)
2. ^{^} chocolate raspberry swirl cheesecake (www.gordon-ramsay-recipe.com)