17 light cheesecake recipes

Place plain, nonfat yogurt into cheese cloth or a coffee filter. Place in strainer over a small bowl or cup. Allow to drain 2 to 24 hours, covered and refrigerated, until cheese reached desired consistency. Discard the whey (liquid). Store in covered container in refrigerator.

Light pumpkin praline cheesecake: low-fat cottage cheese stands in for cream cheese, wheat germ replaces graham crumbs in the crust, and pumpkin pie spice carries the flavor. Topped with maple-drizzled pecans.

Very light, healthy and delicious cheesecake for the weight watchers!

Light Greek yogurt cheesecake with a melba toast and walnut crust, topped with dried figs poached in an ouzo syrup with cinnamon stick and orange zest. A Mediterranean twist on cheesecake that skips the heaviness.

British-style honey lemon cheesecake with curd cheese, sultanas, and a lattice pastry top baked in a shortcrust flan case. A light, European cheesecake with no refined sugar.

Mini almond cheesecakes with a ground almond crust, no-bake cream cheese filling, and fresh peach puree sauce. Light, frozen, and individually portioned.

No-bake cafe au lait blender cheesecake whips cottage cheese, instant coffee, and whipped topping into a light gelatin-set dessert. Cinnamon zwieback crumbs top each slice.

Yogurt heart with strawberry coulis is a light molded yogurt panna cotta unmolded onto a pool of strawberry sauce. A romantic Valentine's Day dessert that's lighter than cheesecake.

Diabetic-friendly no-cheese cheesecake built on yogurt, gelatin, whipped milk powder, and lemon over a graham crust. Light, fluffy, sugar-free if you want it, no oven required.

No-bake lemon chiffon cheesecake made light with blended cottage cheese, nonfat cream cheese and lemon gelatin, folded fluffy with whipped cream and crowned with cherry pie filling. A cool, airy dessert with no oven required.

A no-bake cheesecake with a whole wheat crust, creamy cottage cheese and banana filling, and fresh grapefruit on top. Light, tangy, and set with gelatin for a refreshing lower-calorie dessert.

Silky tofu blended with brown sugar, vanilla, and lemon juice, poured into a graham cracker crust and baked until set. A no-fuss vegan cheesecake that's creamy, lightly sweet, and ready in one hour with zero dairy.

Strawberry banana ricotta cheesecake blends ricotta with strawberries and bananas, sweetened with apple juice concentrate, on a Grape Nuts crust. A lighter no-sugar-added dessert.

A lighter chocolate strawberry cheesecake made with nonfat cottage cheese, neufchatel, and cocoa on a graham cracker crust. All the creamy richness with a fraction of the guilt.

No-bake orange cheesecake with cottage cheese, banana, orange juice, and gelatin on a bran-crumb crust. A lighter, low-calorie dessert topped with fresh citrus and berries.

A lighter take on strawberry cheesecake using pureed cottage cheese and whipped egg whites instead of cream cheese. Topped with a glossy crushed strawberry glaze, all on a graham cracker crust.