Bake-less Low-Sodium “Cheese” Cake

Cheating as a kid is bad. I think I did it once and I’m pretty sure it didn’t make me feel very good.

But when you enter adulthood, the rules totally start bending. And “cheating” a bit to make life’s to-do list  a little easier, faster, and mostly easier starts being a good thing. And whether you call it cutting corners or life hacking or dry shampoo — taking a short cut every now and then is always acceptable, often genius, and when it comes to overcoming dietary challenges, totally necessary.

So let’s do it. Let’s cheat on cheesecake. And let’s begin by pummeling some low-sodium ginger snap cookies with a mortar and pestle and then mix the crumbs with orange marmalade or really any kind of jam or honey, or sticky substance that will glue it all together. (Note: do not use glue).

Then let’s smash this cheater crust into a little pie pan or a mason jar thingy you just have lying around. Or a tea cup.

And then go buy yourself some FAGE Greek yogurt. The kind with the berry jam. And spread the yogurt on your cheater pie crust. Then spread and swirl the berry jam on top of that cheater cheesecake.

And finally, to make amends for all the cheating you’ve done,  top the jam with fresh berries and maybe some real lime or lemon zest. Then stick the whole shebang into the fridge (not the oven) to chill and stiffen a bit.

Grab two spoons and share it with someone because there is plenty goodness here to go around. Or eat it all by yourself, no judgement. Make it for dessert or breakfast or even lunch on-the-go. Or for all three. It’s totally up to you.

Just make sure you give this fake cake a try.

Chow on.

+ Sodium Count: FAGE Greek yogurt: 60mg per 6-ounce container, depending on brand; Go Raw ginger snap cookies: 10mg per 18 cookies