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  • About
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Caramel Pecan Cheesecake DeLight

November 22, 2016 Joanna Crawford
caramel pecan cheesecake2 (1 of 1).jpg

One of my favorite things about Thanksgiving has always been cooking with my mom in the kitchen. I will be totally honest with you though, I was never a big fan of the actual eating part of the Thanksgiving food. Not because I was scared to take in all the calories, although that definitely caused some issues later on in my teenage years, but before all of that I just didn’t really like the types of foods served. My mom had to make me baked beans and our famous green jello that I would eat as my dinner until it was time for dessert (because I was ALWAYS up for the sweets).

I have definitely changed my ways when it comes to all the dishes served and now I pretty much love everything that Thanksgiving food has to offer but I still haven’t changed the fact that dessert is always my favorite.

I joined Recipe Redux last month, where I get to share a themed recipe once a month with other dietitians who love to create fun, healthy recipes. I was so excited when I found out the first theme for this month was “Trimming The Table” and showing off your healthy holiday dessert (because I am all about the dessert...if you haven’t already gathered that).

caramel pecan cheesecake1 (1 of 1).jpg

I decided to create a recipe that was a combination between my husband’s favorite dessert and a Thanksgiving tradition. My husband LOVES cheesecake about as much as I love Friends and Coffee, it is scary how much he loves it. I have actually never made a cheesecake before (or for him) because I never thought I could make it as good as they serve it up in restaurants and I would want to make it a bit healthier so he may just hate it. I decided to give it a try though and ohhhh boyyyy was it good (and so easy)!!!!

I added some full fat greek yogurt in replace of some of the cheese and used a healthier crust to cut some of the sugar and fat out. I topped this beauty with a caramel pecan mixture that is absolutely delicious and was hard to not lick it out of the pan. I will quit my rambling though and let you just give it a try for yourself...

What Do You Need?

For The Crust:

  • 1 1/2 cup of low fat graham crackers crumbs
  • 2 teaspoons unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 3 tablespoons nonfat plain yogurt
  • 2 tablespoons brown sugar

For The Filling:

  • 2 packs regular cream cheese (8 ounce packs)
  • 1 cup full fat greek yogurt
  • 2 eggs
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 Tbsp vanilla extract

For The Topping:

  • 3/4 cup brown sugar
  • 3/4 cup whipping cream
  • 7 Tbsp unsalted butter
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 2 1/2 cups chopped pecans
  • 1/8 tsp salt

How Do You Make It?

  1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Crumble your graham crackers and measure it out (I threw the graham crackers in a bag and used a rolling pin to break them apart). Mix together the crumbs with the melted butter and 1 T sugar in a medium bowl and stir well but keep it crumbly. 
  2. Press the crumbs onto the bottom of a 9 inch springform pan and a little bit up  on the sides but not all the way up. Bake the crust for about 5 minutes and set aside. 
  3. In a large mixing bowl, combine the cream cheese and greek yogurt and mix with an electric mixer until smooth and fluffy. Combine the rest of the filling ingredients and mix well.
  4. Pour the cream cheese mixture into the crust making it as even as possible. Place in the oven for about 35-40 minutes, it may still be somewhat jiggly in the middle when you remove  from the oven and that is okay.
  5. Once the cheesecake is cooled down, place it in the refrigerator (I placed mine in the freezer to speed up the process and it still was delish) and wait about 45 minutes to an hour.
  6. While you are waiting, you can dish up the caramel topping by combining the brown sugar, whipping cream, butter, vanilla extract, and salt in a large saucepan. Stir until combined and then let it simmer for about 10 minutes. 
  7. Remove caramel mix from the heat (will still be pretty thin) and let it sit for about 30 minutes or until it is thickened. Pour in the chopped pecans and mix well. 
  8. Pull the cheesecake out of the refrigerator or freezer and pour the caramel mix on top, creating an even amount all over. Place the finished product back into the fridge to sit for about 2 hours minimum or overnight so it can be ready to serve up and enjoy. 

Want To Save For Later Or Share With Others?

Hope you all enjoy every single delicious dessert that you set eyes on (or fork in)!!! Remember to practice portion control on this lovely holiday but to give yourself grace no matter what amount of goodness you decide to devour!

In Recipes, recipes, cheesecake Tags recipe redux, healthy cheesecake
← Roasted Vegetable Tacos & Avocado Lime Sauce8 Ways To Stay Healthy During Thanksgiving →

Meet Joanna

Thanks for stopping by! I am a registered dietitian in Nashville, TN with a passion for helping people live healthier and happier...I am also a new wife, a mother of a crazy dog named Huckleberry, a lover of running and all things active, a novice cook who never follows directions, a coffee addict all days of the week, and a dancer anytime I hear music playing....read more


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Follow Along On Instagram @balanceinpractice
I turned 31 yesterday and was spoiled with love from my family and friends...My 30s started with a one month old and ended with a one year old and almost 30 weeks preggo😱

This is definitely not what I pictured or planned but man, do I feel grateful! I’ve slept way less, drank wine way less (😩), and seen my body go through so many changes this past year. But I’ve also gotten to know the joy of being a mother and snuggling my sweet babe all the while feeling another baby kicking in my belly and I can tell you without a doubt that there is nothing better. God’s plans are way better than our own and I’m so thankful to be blessed with so much in just a year! 30, you were crazy and wonderful....but I have a feeling 31 is going to take the cake 🎂 😱 (it’s a good thing I thrive in chaos😂). #CountingDownTheDaysForMoreWine #NeedingAllTheCoffee 📷 : @jesslovett1218 😘😘 ”Oh the places you will go...you’ve got brains in your head, you’ve got shoes on your feet, you can steer yourself in any direction you choose. Kid, you’ll move mountains”

A successful FIRST birthday for our little pilot!! Gray partied hard with his family and friends and had the best time!

Time flies when you’re having fun and I can’t wait for years of more fun with our little man! And just like that we have a toddler😭😭😭....how has this year flown by so quickly? How is my lil bambino ONE?
-
Gray Jamison you have lit up our world with your smiles, laughter, and curiosity! You spoiled us with good sleep starting at about 6 weeks and have always been our chill little man that’s happy and content! You think dada is the funniest and love wrestling with him (already 🤪) and love getting chased by mama! You point to EVERYTHING and babble as if you are having a conversation (but we still don’t know what you’re saying🤷🏼‍♀️). Your goofy and playful personality just keeps popping out and keeps us laughing. Your nose scrunch when you’re happy and laughing melts me and your dad and I hope you keep it forever! You have 8 teeth already with a molar already piercing through to make 9 and LOVE to eat with those chompers just like mom and dad! You dance anytime you hear music and got rhythm like yo mama🕺🏼
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Happy Birthday baby Gray! You may be a toddler now but you will forever be our baby😭! We can’t wait to celebrate you this weekend 🥳!!! The best weekend, celebrating the best couple, with my best girls and best boo, with the best weather! Did I mention it was the best? #ijustlovemypeople #goingtothechappell

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