Italian Cheesecake with Pecan Crust

Ingredients

• 3/4 cup very finely ground pecans (1 cup whole pecans)
• 1 (15 ounce) carton part-skim ricotta cheese
• 1 cup plain low-fat yogurt
• 1 cup Splenda
• 1/2 cup fat-free liquid egg substitute
• 2 tablespoons white flour
• 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
• Zest (grated rind) of one small lemon
• 1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, at room temperature

Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
2. Spray a 10-inch springform pan with nonstick spray.
3. Sprinkle the ground pecans evenly over the pan bottom, patting them into place. The crust layer will be very light and may not entirely cover the bottom of the pan.
4. In a food processor, combine the ricotta, yogurt, Splenda, egg substitute, flour, vanilla, and lemon zest. Process until partially smoothed, about 1-1/2 minutes.
5. Cut the cream cheese into 9 or 10 chunks. One at a time, add the chunks through the feed tube. Process after each addition. Process until smooth – an additional 1-1/2 to 2 minutes.
6. Carefully spoon the mixture over the ground pecans.
7. Bake in the center of the preheated oven for 15 minutes.
8. Lower the oven temperature to 325 degrees F. and bake for an additional 50 to 60 minutes or until the cheesecake edges have begun to brown and the center is puffed and seems set when the surface is lightly tapped.
9. Remove to a rack and cool for 20 minutes. Refrigerate at least 6 hours or overnight until cooled. When cooled, cover with plastic wrap. If desired, top with cut fruit.

Recipe Yield: 9 servings

Source: The Diabetes Snack Munch Nibble Nosh Book
Book Title: The Diabetes Snack Munch Nibble Nosh Book