No-Bake Chocolate Cheesecake Recipe

Guest Author - Jennifer Murray

This cheesecake is so easy to make and so flavorful that you won't believe it's not the standard fare when it comes to cheesecakes.

(Yields 12 servings)

Ingredients

3/4 cup graham cracker crumbs (about 12 squares)

2 tbsp. reduced-fat margarine, melted

1 envelope unflavored gelatin

1 cup cold water

4 squares (1 oz. each) semisweet chocolate, coarsely chopped

4 packages (8 oz. each) fat-free cream cheese

Sugar substitute equivalent to 1 cup sugar

1/2 cup sugar

1/4 cup baking cocoa

2 tsp. vanilla extract

Directions
1. In a bowl, combine cracker crumbs and margarine. Press into the bottom of a 9-inch spring-form pan. Bake at 375 for 8 to 10 minutes or until lightly browned. Cool on a wire rack.

2. For the filling, in a small saucepan, sprinkle gelatin over cold water. Let stand for 1 minute. Heat over low heat, stirring until gelatin is completely dissolved. Add the semisweet chocolate and stir until melted.

3. In a mixing bowl, beat the cream cheese, sugar substitute, and sugar until smooth. Gradually add the chocolate mixture and cocoa. Beat in vanilla. Pour into crust. Refrigerate for 2 to 3 hours or until firm.

Serving Ideas
You can eat this cheesecake without any topping or experiment with different berries or drizzle with white candy coating.