Published: by Allison · 32 Comments
Jump to Recipe
This delicious cheesecake is made with a combination of Greek yogurt and cream cheese, making it a bit lighter than a traditional cheesecake. No water bath, no tenting with foil, and no changing oven temperature – this is the easiest cheesecake ever!
All the richness and creaminess of cheesecake without a whole day’s worth of calories. Wait, does this mean we get to eat two slices?
![Greek Yogurt Cheesecake {So Easy} - Celebrating Sweets (1) Greek Yogurt Cheesecake {So Easy} - Celebrating Sweets (1)](https://i0.wp.com/celebratingsweets.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Greek-Yogurt-Cheesecake-3.jpg)
Jump to:
- What makes this recipe “lighter”
- This cheesecake is
- Recipe overview
- Recipe tips
- Topping options
- Serving and storage
- More cheesecake recipes
- Recipe
What makes this recipe “lighter”
First things first, this is a dessert recipe. It is not “healthy” but it is a bit lighter than a traditional cheesecake. The other good news? It’s still thick, creamy, and flavorful, AND it packs 9 grams of protein per slice.
How do I do it?
1. I swap some of the cream cheese with 2% plain Greek yogurt
2. I swap traditional full fat cream cheese for a reduced fat variety
The result is creamy cheesecake with a fraction of the calories than a traditional cheesecake.
![Greek Yogurt Cheesecake {So Easy} - Celebrating Sweets (2) Greek Yogurt Cheesecake {So Easy} - Celebrating Sweets (2)](https://i0.wp.com/celebratingsweets.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Greek-Yogurt-Cheesecake-2.jpg)
This cheesecake is
- Thick and creamy
- Sweet and tangy
- Baked in a homemade graham cracker crust
- Super easy to assemble (we’re taking help from a food processor)
- Delicious with a wide variety of toppings (more on this below!)
Recipe overview
Crust: combine crushed graham crackers, sugar, melted butter, and a pinch of salt. Press the crust into the bottom and up the sides of a springform pan. Place the crust in the freezer while you proceed with the filling.
Filling: Place Greek yogurt, cream cheese, eggs, sugar, flour, vanilla extract, and lemon zest in the bowl of a food processor. Process until the mixture is smooth and combined.
![Greek Yogurt Cheesecake {So Easy} - Celebrating Sweets (3) Greek Yogurt Cheesecake {So Easy} - Celebrating Sweets (3)](https://i0.wp.com/celebratingsweets.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Greek-Yogurt-Cheesecake-1.jpg)
Bake: Bake in the center of the oven for 45-55 minutes.
Cool: Cool to room temperature on a wire rack, then refrigerate until completely chilled.
![Greek Yogurt Cheesecake {So Easy} - Celebrating Sweets (4) Greek Yogurt Cheesecake {So Easy} - Celebrating Sweets (4)](https://i0.wp.com/celebratingsweets.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Greek-Yogurt-Cheesecake-1-2.jpg)
Recipe tips
- Cream cheese and eggs should be at room temperature. This will ensure that the filling mixes up smooth and creamy with no lumps.
- Using a food processor for the filling helps ensure that it is extra smooth.
- Be sure to stop your food processor and scrape down the sides occasionally to ensure the filling is thoroughly mixed.
- Make sure your Greek yogurt and cream cheese have some fat content. Although you might be inclined to reduce the fat/calories even further by using fat free yogurt or cream cheese, don’t do it. This is a dessert, and it needs some fat to make it taste that way.
- This cheesecake should be baked until it is almost completely set. Remove it from the oven when the very center still has a slight jiggle.
Topping options
If you’re pairing this cheesecake with fruit or eating it plain, I recommend adding the optional lemon zest in the recipe. If you’re serving it with chocolate sauce or caramel, I recommend omitting the lemon zest.
Blueberry Sauce – This easy and flavorful sauce comes together on the stovetop in minutes. It is bursting with blueberries and absolutely delicious on this cheesecake.
Strawberry Sauce – This thick and flavorful sauce is packed with the flavors of fresh strawberries.
Roasted Strawberries – These sweet and juicy strawberries make their own sauce while cooking. Made with only 2 ingredients and very little hands-on time.
Homemade Whipped Cream – Place a dollop on each slice or pipe a border of whipped cream around the perimeter of the cheesecake right before serving.
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.
![Greek Yogurt Cheesecake {So Easy} - Celebrating Sweets (5) Greek Yogurt Cheesecake {So Easy} - Celebrating Sweets (5)](https://i0.wp.com/celebratingsweets.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Greek-Yogurt-Cheesecake-4.jpg)
Serving and storage
Serve chilled with any of the toppings mentioned above. Store, tightly covered, in the refrigerator.
More cheesecake recipes
- White Chocolate Cranberry Cheesecake
- Mini Cheesecake Recipe
- Churro Cheesecake
- Pumpkin Pie Cheesecake
NEVER MISS A RECIPE! SUBSCRIBE to our free EMAIL LIST – Follow on INSTAGRAM
Recipe
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.
4.75 from 12 votes
Print Pin Save
Course: Dessert, pie
Cuisine: Dessert
Prep Time: 20 minutes minutes
Cook Time: 45 minutes minutes
Total Time: 1 hour hour 5 minutes minutes
Servings: 12
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
Calories: 341kcal | Carbohydrates: 39g | Protein: 9g | Fat: 17g | Saturated Fat: 9g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 5g | Trans Fat: 0.3g | Cholesterol: 89mg | Sodium: 268mg | Potassium: 144mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 28g | Vitamin A: 531IU | Calcium: 115mg | Iron: 1mg
Nutritional Information is an estimate based on third-party calculations and may vary based on products used and serving sizes.
Tried this recipe?Leave a comment and rating below!
« Macadamia Coconut Chocolate Chip Cookies (Royale Cookies)
Blueberry Cobbler »
Reader Interactions
Leave a Reply
This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.
Comments
Maria
Hi just made this delicious sauce how long does it last for in the fringe.Reply
Allison
We usually eat it within 3 days.
Reply
R. Smith
I’ve made this several times and everyone loves it. It is not the old high fat cheesecake; instead a light cheese pie. Blue berries are a lovely companion. I do add a bit more lemon zest . Oh yes, Steveia makes it more diabetic friendly desert.Reply
Freda
We used Neufatchel cream cheese cause that’s what we had,and used less sugar
Added some strawberries right into the batter. My husband is in love with it!Reply
Darleen
This looks an awesome cheesecake, but I’m wondering if I can make it ahead an d freeze it?
Reply
Allison
Hi, Darleen. I would assume so but I haven’t tried it, so can’t say for sure. Enjoy!
Reply
Tricia
Wonderful. Easy to follow recipeReply
Allison
Thank you! Glad you enjoyed it. 🙂
Reply
Darrin
Can you use nonfat yogurt?
Reply
Allison
I would not recommend it.
Reply
Mehjabeen
Hi can this b made eggless
Reply
Allison
I wouldn’t recommend it.
Reply
Somer Gregory
Allison, your recipes are amazing and delicious. Thank you so very much.
Reply
Allison
Thank you!
Reply
« Older Comments
Primary Sidebar
About
Hi, I'm Allison! I'm a busy wife and mom with a passion for cooking and baking. This is where you'll find my favorite homemade recipes, designed to help you make every day delicious! Read more....
Dessert Recipes
Easy Homemade Whipped Cream
Brownie Pie
Banana Bundt Cake with Brown Sugar Glaze
White Chocolate Raspberry Brownies
Strawberry Bread
Nutella Brownies
More Dessert Recipes...
Popular Recipes:
Almond Croissants (shortcut recipe)
Fudgy Homemade Brownies
Sweet Potato Souffle
Cinnamon Vanilla Baked French Toast
Sugar Cookie Frosting
Small Batch Vanilla Cupcakes
More Popular Recipes...
FREE BAKING GUIDE
Tips & Tricks for the Home Baker