Lighter Cheesecake

Total Time: 1 hr 45 mins Preparation Time: 45 mins Cook Time: 1 hr

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs
• 1/2 cup butter, melted
• 2 ounces finely chopped pecans
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
• 4 eggs
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 teaspoon almond extract
• 1/2 teaspoon lemon zest
• 16 ounces light sour cream
• 3.5 (8 ounce) packages neufchatel cheese - 1/3 less the fat cream cheese (room temperature)

Recipe

• 1 preheat oven at 400 degrees.
• 2 for crust: in a medium bowl, combine graham cracker crumbs, cinnamon, and pecans.
• 3 pour in butter. mix together, making sure that all crumbs are coated with butter - creating a crumble (don't overmix).
• 4 spray 9 inch spring form pan with cooking spray.
• 5 press crumble onto the bottom of pan.
• 6 for filling: in a large mixing bowl, blend eggs, sugar, vanilla, almond, and lemon zest on high until fluffy (about 1 1/2 to 2 minutes).
• 7 mix in sour cream.
• 8 begin adding neufchatel cheese to mixing bowl, about 1/2 package at a time. blending well after each addition.
• 9 pour filling over graham cracker crust.
• 10 bake for 30-35 minutes or until brown around the edges and center only jiggles slightly. (tip: to prevent cracking - either try baking in a water bath or place an oven-safe dish with water in oven - moisture will help to prevent the cracking.).
• 11 when time is up, turn off oven and leave cake in oven for 1/2 hour.
• 12 remove cake from oven and place on counter to cool.
• 13 place in the refrigerator overnight or for at least 4 hours before serving.