For some time I have been enjoying the delicious, low-carb "breakfast" cheesecake I invented a while back; it's very yummy, and nice and easy to make. However, I really was missing the delightful contrast in texture and flavor you get from a classic graham cracker crumb crust cheesecake. For the life of me I couldn't think how to make something that would work.... make low carb, sugar free graham crackers, just so that I could make crumbs out of them? That didn't seem like a good idea. What to do, what to do?
I recently had a flash of inspiration..... what if I used almond meal, just straight up almond meal, but toasted it in a saute pan? Immediate smash hit!
This is so yummy, and really straight-forward and easy. You may have a little leftover "crumbs"; if so, they store well in the fridge for your next batch - which I predict you will be making very soon! However, they are quite tasty sprinkled on the top of the cheesecake, or even eaten straight up with a spoon.
PREHEAT OVEN TO 325 F
ALMOND MEAL "GRAHAM CRACKER" CRUST
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| almond meal before toasting |
2 cups whole almond meal (I use Trader Joe's)
1 teaspoon stevia extract powder
1 tablespoon xylitol
2 tablespoons erythritol
1 tablespoon coconut palm sugar
1/4 tsp salt
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
2 tablespoons coconut oil
In a small bowl, whisk the sweeteners until well combined.
In a medium-sized skillet, toast the almond meal, stirring frequently to prevent scorching. When the almond meal is just lightly golden and fragrant, remove it from the heat. Be careful not to overcook the almond meal - it will continue to darken and toast in the hot pan even after you have removed it from the heat.
Whisk the sweeteners into the toasted almond meal until well-combined.
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| Finished Crust |
CHEESECAKE FILLING
2 cups full-fat cottage cheese (full fat is the lowest in carbs)
1 cup full-fat cream cheese (lowest in carbs)
1/2 cup full-fat Greek yoghurt (lowest in carbs)
2 tsp pure vanilla extract
3 large eggs
1 tsp stevia
1 tablespoons xylitol
2 tablespoons erythritol
3 tablespoons coconut palm sugar
Bring all of the ingredients to room temperature.
In a small bowl, whisk together the sweeteners until well-combined.
Using an immersion blender, blender or food processor, process the cottage cheese until smooth. Add the cream cheese, yoghurt and vanilla and process until smooth. Add the eggs and sweeteners and process until smooth.
PUT THEM ALL TOGETHER
Using your ramekin collection, put 2-4 tablespoons of the "graham cracker crust" mix in the bottom of each cup, depending on the size of the vessel and your taste. Press the crumbs down using the back of a spoon.
Spoon the filling on top of the crumb crust. The number of ramekins you make depends on the size of the ramekin and how much of the crumb mixture is in it.
When you have used all of the filling up, put them into a large roasting pan, and carefully pour boiling water all around them.
Place into your pre-heated, 325 F oven and bake until firm, around 45 minutes to 1 hour.
Devour!
