Pumped Up Pumpkin Cheesecake

Pumped Up Pumpkin Cheesecake

Welcome back fellow fattening fitness food lovers! This recipe was a challenge! It took 3 cheesecakes and a lot of taste testing from my Taste Testing Team Coworkers to get this just right, but 3rd time is a charm right? Right! Not only do I love pumpkin (my favorite pie!) but I love cheesecake, well any cake for that matter, so pumpkin cheesecake was a shoe-in for the fall season. Please take note that I will be putting a little variance in measuring to make it sweeter or give it more of a pumpkin flavor....I will put a note next to it (you know I put sidebars on everything!) to show which can have a little more or a little less. Ok now time to get down to business and get Cookin'!

Skinny Grocery List:
Remember I always say to make a list...it just makes life easier ;).

Cake Filling -

1/2 to 1 C Pure Pumpkin - I love Libby's All Natural 100% Pure Pumpkin...Great Brand!! I used 1/2 a cup but I am confident that a little kicked up pumpkin flavor would be just as amazing!

2 Packages Reduced Fat Cream Cheese - I know all of us do not have access to a great variety of all natural and organic foods but with Dairy I really couldn't stress going natural more. I go for Horizon's Organic Reduced Fat Cream Cheese - No Fillers!

1.5 Tsp. Cinnamon

1 Tsp. Nutmeg

1 Tsp. Vanilla Extract

1 Packet of Gelatin

1/2 to 3/4 C Stevia in the Raw - Stevia is your best choice when choosing a sugar substitute - You can add up to 3/4 C and still maintain a great flavor - I went with 1/2 C.

Cake Crust-

1 C Almonds - I chose slivered almonds due to Laziness convenience and time management :)

3 Egg Whites

1/4 C Stevia in the Raw

1/4 Tsp. Cinnamon

1/4 Tsp. Vanilla Extract

1/4 Tsp. Sea Salt (you can always sub with table salt)

Non-Stick Spray

Gadgets and Tools:

Blender

Mixer with Whisk and Beater attachments

Pie Pan or Spring Form Pan

Spatula

Measuring Spoons

Measuring Cup

2 Mixing Bowls and 1 Small Bowl

PMA - Positive Mental Attitude - A must in our kitchen :)

Delicious Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 Degrees

Pull Cream Cheese out so it can soften

In your blender place Almonds, Stevia, Cinnamon and Salt - Blend until coarse

1) Add Almonds 2) Add Sugar
3) Add Cinnamon 4) Add Salt

Place 3 Egg whites and 1/4 Tsp. Vanilla Extract into your mixing bowl and whisk with your mixer on high until fulling blended

Stir in Blended almond mixture and whisk until fully mixed and smooth

5) Blend until Coarse 6) Add Vanilla & Eggs into Mixing Bowl
7) Whisk until Blended 8) Whisk Almond Mixture and Eggs

Spray pan with non-stick spray and pour in our batter, spreading evenly

Bake on the middle rack for 8-10 Minutes (9 was perfect for me!)

9) Should Look this :) 10) Now Mix with the Spatula - Don't forge the sides ♥
11) Spread evenly in your Pan 12) Bake on the Middle Rack

Crust should come out firm with a little give, just like a soft cookie :) Sugar preferably

After Fully Baked it shoud have Cookie Texture - I LOVE COOKIES!!!

Next take 1 gelatin packet and place into a small bowl

Now measure 1 Cup of water and microwave until boiling

Add water to gelatin and stir - wait until mixture turns clear before using

1) Pour Gelatin into a Small Bowl 2) Add 1 Cup Boiling Water
3) Following directions - Wait until it Dissolves
4) Add Softened Cream Cheese to Bowl

Next in your other mixing bowl add cream cheese, pumpkin, vanilla extract and Gelatin

5) Mix Cinnamon, Nutmeg and Sugar and Add to Bowl
6) Add Pumpkin 7) Add Vanilla and Gelatin
8) Blend - Note: User Beater Attachment first then Whisk!!!

Now Start with your beater attachment and mix the above ingredients

This is me being lazy and skipping steps! I went right to whisking
and had to call in the cleaning crew! Beat then Whisk...Trust me ♥

When mixed well follow up with the whisk attachment to ensure zero lumps or bump (We hate Lumps and Bumps!)

Once your filling is fully mixed evenly distribute over your cooled crust and refrigerate 4 Hours Prior to serving (Sorry guys! This wait is excruciating!)

Evenly Distribute Mixture in Pan and Refrigerate

Time for clean up and we are done!!!!

Enjoy your hard work! This is great paired with a yummy sugar free Vanilla Latte! Mmmm

Yum! All Done! Enjoy!

Also keep in mind this is a dessert and not a meal so its ok once in a while to indulge a little, but I do not suggest adding this into your meal planning rotation...I tell you because I love you! XoXo

Skinny on the Nutrition:

Yields 8 Servings

Calories..............................220

Fat......................................20g

Carbs.................................7.75g

Sugar.................................2.75g

Protein................................8.25g

Fiber..................................2.25g

***Note: All Nutrition is based off of brand recommendation and serving size.






See you again next week! Muah Muah!

XOXO,

Magan

San Diego March 2012

Eating Right and Working Hard