Cheesecake Parfait with Blackberry Sauce

Who doesn't love dessert? From brownies to cookies and cakes, I could eat them all. I especially love cheesecake, but at more than 500 calories per slice and 36 grams of fat, it's an infrequent indulgence for me. Since I feel that you should enjoy dessert without the guilt, I created a low-fat, low-calorie version of this treat. I call it my Cheesecake Parfait with Blackberry Sauce.

I switched out the full-fat cream cheese for the fat-free version and traded the white sugar for a zero-calorie sweetener -- this reduced the fat and sugar content tremendously. For a kick of fiber, I included raspberries and blackberries, which also contain high levels of vitamin C and potassium. By swapping traditional cheesecake for my low-fat version, you are not only eating a fraction of the calories and fat, you are also getting a full serving of fruit from the berries. Sneaking a serving of fruit into your meal may not seem like a big deal, but most adults and children do not meet their daily recommendation of fruit and vegetables.

Want a better way to help meet your requirements? Try my delicious dish and satisfy your cheesecake craving!



Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup low-fat ricotta cheese
• 4 ounces fat-free cream cheese
• 4 tablespoons Splenda or Stevia
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 cups raspberries (leave a few aside for garnish)
• 2 cups blackberries
• 2 tablespoons water

Instructions:

1. In a blender or food processor, combine the ricotta cheese, cream cheese, 2 tablespoons of Splenda or Stevia, vanilla and raspberries. Process until smooth. Transfer to a bowl.
2. Rinse out blender or food processor; add blackberries, water and the remaining 2 tablespoons of Splenda or Stevia. Pulse to chop blackberries.
3. Using half of the raspberry-cheese mixture, divide among 4 dessert goblets. Top with half of the blackberry sauce. Add remaining raspberry mixture and top with remaining sauce. Sprinkle with remaining raspberries. Chill for at least an hour in the refrigerator.

Serves: 4

Nutrition content (per serving):

137 calories, 20g carbohydrate, 8g fiber, 8g protein, 3g fat, 2g saturated fat, 193 mg sodium

Want to know if you are meeting your daily requirements for fruits and vegetables? Take this quiz and find out!

Readers, I would love to hear from you! Please send me your most favorite fattening recipes that need a RECIPE REHAB! Everything from your mom's meatloaf to your kid's favorite dessert -- let me lighten it up.

Celebrity dietitian and motivational life coach Tanya Zuckerbrot, author of www.ffactordiet.com and founder of www.skinnyandthecity.com, has helped thousands of people lose weight and keep it off with her program. Her philosophy? Tanya believes you should never sacrifice taste, even when you're eating healthy foods. Have a recipe in need of rehab? Send us an e-mail at reciperehab [AT] thatsfit [DOT] com.