Pumpkin Pie Cheesecake

Fall is officially here and that means it's time for pumpkin flavored everything. I'm super excited about this trend, because pumpkin is fantastic for you. Not only is it low calorie, it is also a wonderful source of fiber, vitamin A, vitamin C, and potassium. So when I saw a Pumpkin Spice No-Bake Cheesecake on Skinnytaste.com, I knew I had to give it a try.  The recipe as written clocks in at 239 calories a serving, which is great for an every-now-and-then-treat.  However, as you may remember, I'm a dessert-once-a-day girl, so I needed something I could eat daily without guilt. So I played around with recipe, and came up with a creamy, pumpkiny, sweet dessert that is only 121 calories per serving.  Happy Fall!

Pumpkin Pie Cheesecake

INGREDIENTS

8 oz 1/3 Less Fat Cream Cheese

1/2 c. Pumpkin Puree

8 oz Cool Whip Free (or Truwhip Light), thawed

1/4 c. Confectioner's Sugar 

1 tsp Vanilla

2 sheets of Graham Crackers; crumbled

1 tsp Pumpkin Pie Spice

1 tsp Cinnamon

DIRECTIONS

1. In a large bowl, using a mixer, whip together the cream cheese, pumpkin puree, sugar, vanilla, pumpkin pie spice, and cinnamon. Whip until fluffy.

2. Add in the Cool Whip and whip until smooth.

3. Pour batter into an empty pie pan OR pour into 8 cupcake liners (I recommend doing the cupcake liner method).

4. Sprinkle the crumbled graham crackers over the top of the cheesecake and refrigerate for for several hours before serving.

Note: This cheesecake, due to its low fat content and its no-bake status, will be more of a pudding consistency than a firm consistency. I eat mine with a spoon! 

Tip: I put my cupcake liners in a muffin pan to help the cheesecakes hold their shape (and makes it easier to spoon the batter into the liners).  I really recommend doing the cupcake liners over a pie pan for two reasons: 1. It helps tremendously with portion control, and 2. This cheesecake has a pudding consistency, so the liners provide sort of a "cup" to spoon it out of. Ramekins would work great too!

NUTRITIONAL INFORMATION

Serving Size: 1/8 slice or 1 "cupcake"

Calories: 121

Carbs: 13

Fat: 7

Protein: 3