Greek Yogurt Cheesecake

This lighter cheesecake is made with a combination of Greek yogurt and cream cheese. It bakes up rich and creamy, just like a traditional cheesecake. This easy recipe requires very little hands-on time and no water bath is needed.

Course Dessert, pie

Cuisine Dessert

Prep Time 20

Cook Time 45

Total Time 1 5

Servings

Calories 341kcal

Author Allison - Celebrating Sweets

Ingredients

Graham cracker crust:

2 cups graham cracker crumbs from about 13 sheets of graham crackers
¼ cup granulated sugar
½ cup unsalted butter, melted
pinch of salt

Cheesecake filling:

15 ounces 2% plain Greek yogurt about 1⅔ cups
16 ounces reduced fat cream cheese softened to room temperature
3 large eggs room temperature
1 cup granulated sugar
¼ cup all purpose flour
1½ teaspoons pure vanilla extract
finely grated zest of 1 small lemon optional
see note about toppings

Instructions

Wrap foil around the lower exterior of a 9-inch springform pan (just to prevent any leaks). Preheat oven to 325°F.

Graham cracker crust:

In a large bowl, thoroughly combine graham cracker crumbs, sugar, melted butter, and salt. Dump the mixture into the prepared springform pan, pressing the mixture onto the bottom, and at least 1-inch up the sides. I like to use the bottom of a measuring cup to help firmly press the mixture in. Transfer the crust to the freezer while you prepare the filling.

Cheesecake filling:

In a food processor*, combine yogurt, cream cheese, eggs, sugar, flour, vanilla, and lemon zest. Process until creamy and completely smooth. be sure to stop and crape down the sides and bottom a few times as needed.
Pour the batter into the crust and smooth the top. Bake in the center of the oven for 45-55 minutes, until the cheesecake is just set around the edges and the center still has very slight jiggle. Place the pan on a wire rack to cool to room temp, then move it to the refrigerator until completely chilled (several hours). Serve with any of the toppings suggested. Store in the refrigerator.

Video

Notes

TOPPINGS:

We find that this cheesecake tastes best when paired with fruit (as opposed to chocolate or caramel). These are our favorite toppings:

Blueberry Sauce
Roasted Strawberries
Homemade Whipped Cream
Easy Berry Topping - Stir together the fresh berry of your choice along with the same flavor of jam (about 1-2 tablespoons of jam for each cup of berries). Allow the mixture to sit at room temp for about 30 minutes so the berries can release some of their juices.

*If you use your food processor to crush the graham crackers be sure to clean it out well before adding the filling ingredients.

Nutrition