You’re a package or two away from a creamy dessert that no one will know is light.
14 Light Desserts that Start with Reduced-Fat Cream Cheese
Updated on Feb. 26, 2024
Peachy Summer Cheesecake
This is a cool, always refreshing dessert that is fancy enough to take to a gathering. You can make this ahead of time and freeze it. Make sure you cover it well in an airtight container and add the peaches only after the cheesecake thaws. —Joan Engelhardt, Latrobe, Pennsylvania
1/14
2/14
Cream Cheese Swirl Brownies
Total Time
45 min
Servings
1 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
I’m a chocolate lover, and these cream cheese brownies have satisfied my cravings many times. No one guesses the brownies are light because their chewy texture and rich chocolate taste can’t be beat. My family requests them often, and I’m happy to oblige. —Heidi Johnson, Worland, Wyoming
3/14
Pineapple Pudding Cake
Total Time
40 min
Servings
20 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
My mother used to love making this easy pineapple sunshine cake in the summertime. It's so cool and refreshing that it never lasts very long! —Kathleen Worden, North Andover, Massachusetts
4/14
Fruit Pizza
Total Time
45 min
Servings
20 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
These pretty fruit pizzas have been a hit every time I’ve served them. They start with premade cookie dough, making them super simple. —Janet O’Neal, Poplar Bluff, Missouri
5/14
Makeover Traditional Cheesecake
Total Time
2 hours 10 min
Servings
16 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Though softer than a full-fat cheesecake, this lightened-up dessert has all of the original’s delectable flavor. It’s sure to make any special event more festive. —Anne Addesso, Sheboygan, Wisconsin
6/14
Strawberry Cream Cheese Pie
Total Time
45 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Cheesecake lovers will savor every bite of this light and pretty pie, even if they don't have to watch their diets. Our whole family enjoys it. —Kim Van Rheenen, Mendota, Illinois
7/14
Pear Tart
Total Time
40 min
Servings
12 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
My sister-in-law brought this pretty pastry to dinner one night, and we all went back for seconds. It is truly scrumptious. —Kathryn Rogers, Suisun City, California
8/14
Makeover Cream Cheese Streusel Bars
Total Time
50 min
Servings
16 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
With an oh-so-chocolaty crust, a crispy, crunchy topping and soft cream cheese filling, these delectable bars are over-the-top indulgent. —Janet Coops, Duarte, California
9/14
Ricotta Cheesecake
Total Time
1 hour 20 min
Servings
12 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
I reconstructed this dessert based on an old recipe that had been in the family for years but was never written down. The subtle cinnamon flavor of the zwieback crust and the dense texture of the ricotta cheese are reminiscent of the cheesecake I enjoyed as a child. —Mary Beth Jung, Hendersonville, North Carolina
10/14
Lime Basil Pie
Total Time
30 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
This sweet lime and basil dessert has a unique taste, plus less calories and fat than the traditional Key lime pie. —Samara Donald, Redmond, Washington.
11/14
Lemon Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting
Total Time
40 min
Servings
2 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
I won a baking contest at Purdue University with this recipe for lemon bars with cream cheese frosting. I think you’ll love the dreamy topping. —Michael Hunter, Fort Wayne, Indiana
12/14
Chocolate Swirl Cheesecake
Total Time
1 hour 20 min
Servings
16 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Searching for a dessert superstar? This chocolate swirl cheesecake is the one that people ask for again and again. —Jeanne Holt, Mendota Heights, Minnesota
13/14
Red, White & Blue Cheesecake Bars
Total Time
45 min
Servings
1 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
I’ve tried “light” cheesecake recipes before with mixed results. Making a few changes, I created a rich, creamy cheesecake filling that truly tastes like the real deal. —Katie Farrell, Ann Arbor, Michigan
14/14
Chocolate Peppermint Log
Total Time
50 min
Servings
12 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
What a great make-ahead treat! This cake log is perfect for the holidays because you can make it when you have time, store it in the freezer and scratch dessert off of your to-do list. —Brenda Sinclair, Princeton, Missouri
