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Vanilla bean cheesecake with blueberry compote

34

  • Prep Time30 mins
  • Total Time1 hr 45 mins
  • Makes16 Servings
*PLUS chilling time
Vanilla bean cheesecake with blueberry compote

John Cullen

Chatelaine Triple Tested

Ingredients

  • 2 cups graham-cracker crumbs

  • 3 tbsp unsweetened apple sauce

  • 2 cups 1% cottage cheese

  • 1 1/2 250-g pkgs low-fat cream cheese

  • 1 egg

  • 250-g pkg pasteurized egg whites

  • 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar

  • 1/4 tsp salt

  • 2 vanilla beans, or 1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract

FOR BLUEBERRY COMPOTE

  • 2 1/2 cups fresh blueberries

  • lemon zest, from 1 lemon

  • 1 tsp lemon juice

  • 1/4 cup granulated sugar

Instructions

  • PREHEAT oven to 350F. Insert the base of a 9-in. springform pan lip-side down. Lightly spray with oil, then line with parchment. Wrap pan with 2 large pieces of foil, under bottom and sides, making sure it comes to the top edge.

  • STIR graham-cracker crumbs with applesauce in a medium bowl until moist. Press over bottom of prepared pan. Bake in centre of oven until crust is lightly toasted, 7 to 10 min. Cool on a rack. Reduce heat to 325F.

  • PURÉE cottage cheese with cream cheese in a food processor until smooth. Add egg and egg whites, 1 1/2 cups sugar and salt. Slice vanilla beans in half lengthwise. Scrape out vanilla seeds and add to cheese mixture. Whirl until combined, scraping down sides as needed. Place foil-wrapped pan in the centre of a shallow-sided roasting pan. Pour cheese mixture over cooled crust. Set in centre of oven. Pour enough hot tap water into roasting pan to come halfway up side of pan.

  • BAKE until filling is almost set when spring-form pan is jiggled, 1 hour 15 min to 1 hour 20 min. Transfer roasting pan to a rack. Run a knife around inside of cake pan to help prevent cracking. Let stand until water cools, about 30 min. Remove pan from water. Discard foil. Cool completely, about 1 hour. Cover pan with plastic wrap and refrigerate until chilled, about 3 hours.

  • STIR blueberries with lemon zest, juice and 1/4 cup sugar in a small saucepan. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to medium-low. Gently boil until berries are soft and sauce turns syrupy, 8 to 10 min. Cool and serve with cheesecake.


Nutrition (per serving)

Calories 235, Protein 9g, Carbohydrates 36g, Fat 6g, Fibre 1g, Sodium 358mg.

Tip: For creamy, crack-free results: Bake in a water bath, always wrap the pan in foil so none of the water leaks in, and as soon as it's out of the oven, run a knife around the inside of the pan. Picture perfect every time!

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