STELLA STYLE NEW YORK RICOTTA CHEESECAKE

"Created out of necessity, this utterly decadent and satisfying dessert saved us from giving in to our sugar cravings so many times I�ve lost count! After years of loving trial and error, Rachel created the ultimate low-carb cheesecake. But be careful - once anyone tries this cheesecake, they�ll be asking you to make it over and over again. We have to take one everywhere we go - or else!"

3 packages (8 ounces each) cream cheese, softened

1 cup extra-fine ricotta cheese (process in a food processor for 1 minute)

1/2 cup sour cream

1 1/2 cups sugar substitute (Splenda recommended)

1/3 cup heavy whipping cream

1 tablespoon sugar-free vanilla extract

1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice

2 large eggs

3 large egg yolks (save the whites to make a great omelet later)

Place the rack in the center of the oven and preheat to 400 degrees F. Spray a (8-inch) springform pan with cooking spray. (If you have trouble with a leaky springform pan, wrap the outside of the pan tightly with foil before placing it in the water bath.)

Make a water bath so the top of the cheesecake won�t split as it bakes: Pour about 1 inch water into a shallow roasting pan big enough to fit the cake pan and place it on the center rack of the oven to heat.

With an electric mixer on low speed, beat the cream cheese, ricotta, sour cream, and sugar substitute for about 1 minute, until well blended.

In a separate bowl, whisk the cream, vanilla, lemon juice, eggs, and egg yolks until blended. 

Turn the mixer on medium speed and slowly pour the egg mixture into the cream cheese mixture. Beat just until blended; be careful not to over-whip. Pour the batter into the greased springform pan. Place the pan in the heated water bath.

Bake for 15 minutes, then lower the oven temperature to 275 degrees F. Continue baking for 1 1/2 hours, until the top is light golden brown and the cake is pulling away from the sides of the pan. Turn the oven off and leave the cake in the oven to cool for 3 hours. (This will keep the cake nice and tall.) Then remove the cake and refrigerate for at least 3 hours. 

Cut the cake into 12 slices before serving.

HELPFUL HINT:

Although all berries are part of eating Stella Style, strawberries are the lowest in carbs, with less than 1 carb per medium berry - and they�re great on top of this cheesecake!

Makes 1 (8-inch) cheesecake, l2 servings

Net carbohydrates: 7 grams per serving

Source: George Stella's Livin' Low Carb by George Stella and Cory Williamson