September 14, 2020

Recipe: French Vanilla Cheesecake Topped With Cherries

Light, fluffy and oh-so-good!

A slice of cheesecake with cherry topping on a plate next to a fork

This cheesecake is simple to make and is light and airy because of ingredients such as non-fat cottage cheese and light cream cheese. Topped with cherries, this dessert is definitely something to celebrate.

Advertisement

Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center. Advertising on our site helps support our mission. We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services. Policy

Ingredients

1 cup graham cracker crumbs
2 tablespoons unsweetened applesauce
2 cups non-fat cottage cheese
2 cups light cream cheese
½ cup yogurt cheese (or Greek yogurt)
3 eggs
1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
¾ cup sugar
1 vanilla bean
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
1 cup unsweetened frozen cherries
¼ cup sugar

Directions

  1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Lightly coat a 10-inch spring form pan with canola oil.
  2. In a medium bowl, combine graham cracker crumbs and applesauce. Mix well. Press into the bottom of spring form pan. Set aside.
  3. Bring 1 cup of water to a boil in a small saucepan. Add vanilla bean and simmer until softened, about 1 minute.
  4. Remove bean from water and when cool enough to handle, slit bean lengthwise. Scrape out vanilla bean paste with a knife and reserve.
  5. In a blender container, puree cottage cheese until smooth.
  6. In a mixing bowl, combine pureed cottage cheese, cream cheese and yogurt cheese and blend with electric mixer on high until smooth, about 2 minutes.
  7. Add eggs, one at a time and blend well.
  8. Add flour, sugar, vanilla bean paste and vanilla extract. Blend well. Pour into crust.
  9. Bake for 48 minutes.
  10. Turn off heat to oven and allow cheesecake to cool slowly in oven for 30 minutes more. Remove from oven and let rest for 20 minutes before refrigerating.
  11. In a medium saucepan, combine cherries with sugar and bring to a boil.
  12. Reduce heat and simmer until sugar is dissolved and cherries begin to break down, about 10 minutes. Add water, if necessary, to keep from scorching.
  13. When cheesecake is cold, remove spring form sides and slice into 16 portions. Serve 1 tablespoon of cherries over cheesecake.

Nutritional information

Makes 16 servings

Each serving contains:

Advertisement

Calories 175 calories
Protein 9g protein
Carbohydrates 20g
Fat 6g
Cholesterol 59mg
Sodium 328mg
Trace fiber

Recipe courtesy of Speaking of Women’s Health

Related Articles

Cinnamon apple cranberry crisp
February 8, 2024
Recipe: Warm Cinnamon Apple Cranberry Crisp

A healthier dessert, packed with distinct flavors

close up of pumpkin mousse parfaits
January 10, 2024
Recipe: Low-Sugar Pumpkin Mousse Parfait

A delicious, no-bake dessert ideal for people with diabetes

Cloaseup of oatmeal maple raisin cookies displayed on napkin and wooden table.
September 27, 2023
Oatmeal-Maple and Raisin Cookie Recipe

Naturally sweet, healthy and ever-so delicious!

Dark chocolate cherry brownies
August 21, 2023
Recipe: Dark Chocolate and Cherry Brownies

Ooey gooey, low in calories and high in flavor

Scoops of vanilla ice cream on marbled plates with strawberries and syrup.
June 22, 2023
Are ‘Healthy’ Ice Creams Really Healthy?

Some types of ice cream may be healthier, but that doesn’t make them a healthy food

raspberry banana sorbet
June 19, 2023
Recipe: Raspberry Banana Sorbet

Refreshing, homemade, with no added sugar

Dark chocolate cherry brownies
May 18, 2023
Recipe Adventure: These Heart-Healthy Desserts Are Subtly Sweet

Fruit, dark chocolate and whole grains make for sweet escapes

Peanut Butter balls displayed in white paper cups on a pink tablecloth.
November 30, 2022
Recipe: Peanut Butter Balls

A healthy snack that’s also the perfect mix of nutty and sweet

Trending Topics

White bowls full of pumpkin seeds, dark chocolate and various kinds of nuts
25 Magnesium-Rich Foods You Should Be Eating

A healthy diet can easily meet your body’s important demands for magnesium

Woman feeling for heart rate in neck on run outside, smartwatch and earbuds
Heart Rate Zones Explained

A super high heart rate means you’re burning more than fat

Spoonful of farro salad with tomato
What To Eat If You’ve Been Diagnosed With Prediabetes

Type 2 diabetes isn’t inevitable with these dietary changes

Ad