Baked Apple Cheesecake: Lower Fat/Sugar Version

My friend invited me to her party on one condition: Bring the apple cheesecake! Is that a threat? Being the reluctant baker—I only bake when I have to—I would like to take that as a compliment since dessert making is not my thing. So, I can safely say that the apple cheesecake I made must be a taste-slayer, well, at least to her reckoning and she’s the baker.

I have to confess that I’m not the originator of this recipe—remember?—I don’t have a compulsion or affinity for baking. But on occasions, I would go that extra mile to make a dessert that I actually like. When I first came to America, I discovered cheesecake and was immediately hooked. But a single piece of cheesecake, like the one from Cheesecake Factory, can pack on pounds and increase inches around places you would rather not know. That’s if you eat one too many.

When I stumbled upon a recipe that combines fresh apples with the basic cheesecake, I knew that’s where I would expend my energy, go that extra mile and indulge a little. But first, I need to do some doctoring—cut down on the fat calories and reduce sugar content, without sacrificing taste. I made some modifications to suit my taste and needs and what's more?--I know my doctor would be nodding his head and giving me the thumbs up.

1. Instead of making one apple cheesecake, I decided to divide the cream cheese mix into two pies (that way, a slice would be half the fat calories of one big slice—make sense?).

2. I reduce the amount of sugar used both in the cream cheese mixture and the amount used on the apples.

3. I cut myself some slack and use the ready-made graham cracker piecrust, instead of the traditional butter/flour/sugar made-from scratch piecrust.

Piece of cake? Let's move on.

Apple Cheesecake

Makes 2 pies

• 7 to 8 Gala apples (or Granny Smith), cored and thinly sliced

Lay them on a 13” by 9” baking dish, cover with aluminum foil and bake at 400 degree Fahrenheit for 20 minutes.

Add the following to the slices of baked apples:

• 1 tsp of cinnamon
• 3 tbs of brown sugar
• 1 tbs of cornstarch
• 1 tsp of vanilla essence

Mix well and set aside

Cream Cheese Mix:

• 2 8-oz Philidelphia cream cheese, softened
• 2 eggs
• ¼ cup sugar
• ½ tsp vanilla

Put all the above into a mixer bowl and beat with electric mixer until fluffy

Divide apple slices into 2 portions. Layer apple slices on top of cream cheese mixture.

Bake at 350 degree Fahrenheit for 40 minutes.

Once they're cooled to room temperature, refrigerate for a couple of hours. Slice and enjoy. Always share pie with family and friends--that way--you share calories (always a good thing) and enjoy bonding (love, friendship, laughter...all the good stuff) time.

At the end of the party, there are not a single piece of apple cheesecake left. The empty crust pan speaks for itself and no...I'm not tooting my own horn.

Don't like apples? Why not try the following?:

White peaches/Yellow peaches

Nectarines

Pear

Canned cherries/blueberries/raspberries or toss them on fresh.

Other food hubs by anglnwu:

Why Drink Green Tea?

Anthocyanins: Powerful Antioxidants to Promote Health

How to Include Antioxidants in Your Diet

How to Steam Food in a Bamboo Steamer

5 Delicious Ways to Enjoy Vegetables

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