Tropical Winter Squash Cheesecake
This "healthy" recipe is for a small cheesecake (that has about 3/4 of a inch of filling) - I made in a pie pan but cake pans would work too if you're not worries about presentation. I use more coconut oil than butter in the crust, maple syrup instead of sugar, and of course, part of the filling is homegrown tropical winter squash.
Prep Time 30 mins
Cook Time 45 mins
Resting time 4 hrs
Total Time 5 hrs 15 mins
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Servings 6
Calories 395 kcal
For the crust
- 9 whole graham crackers about 1 package of the Honey Crisp (or most standard packages).
- 2 tbsp butter
- 3 tbsp coconut oil
- 1 pinch of salt
- 1 tbsp maple syrup
- 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
For the filling
- 12 ounces Philadelphia cream cheese softened to room temperature
- 1/4 cup sour cream
- 1 cup winter squash puree
- 1/4 tsp ground clove (optional)
- 1/4 tsp ground ginger
- 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 2 medium eggs
- 1/2 cup+ maple syrup
- 1 tsp vanilla
- 1 tbsp flour (optional - I did this just incase the squash and maple syrup loosened the batter too much)
For the crust
Melt butter and coconut oil
Break up the crackers roughly and add them to your food processor and pulse until mostly chopped
Add coconut oil, butter, maple syrup, salt, and cinnamon and pulse until combined.
Press into the bottom of the dish your are using.
For the squash cheesecake filling
Beat the cream cheese, sour cream and maple syrup until combined
Add the squash and beat until thoroughly mixed
Add the eggs and spices and mix until mixture looks fluffy
Finally add tablespoon of flour and mix just a little more.
Pour over crust until just barely to the top of your pie pan (or use up all of it if you are using spring form or cake pan.
Baking in an oven preheated to 325°F for 30-40 minutes until all but the very center is cooked (the center should be a little jiggly).
Turn off the oven and leave the door slightly ajar for 30 minutes to an hour.
Finish cooling in the refrigerator for at least 4 hours or over night.
Top with pretty garnishes! (chopped nuts, caramelized chopped nuts, toasted coconut, cinnamon, whipped cream etc.)
Serving: 8slicesCalories: 395kcalCarbohydrates: 32gProtein: 6gFat: 28gSaturated Fat: 17gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 1gTrans Fat: 0gCholesterol: 100mgSodium: 317mgPotassium: 99mgFiber: 1gSugar: 18gVitamin A: 350IUVitamin C: 0mgCalcium: 310mgIron: 1.62mg