Greek Yogurt Cheesecake

                      Total: 6 Hours, 30 Minutes Serves 16
Though it seems dense and decadent, this creamy cheesecake is made with cottage cheese, neufchâtel, and Greek yogurt instead of regular cream cheese and sour cream.

1                  cup graham cracker crumbs
2                  tablespoons butter, melted 
2                  cups plus 2 tbsp. sugar, divided 
1                  container (32 oz.) low-fat cottage cheese
2                  packages (8 oz. each) neufchâtel cheese
1/4               cup flour
1                  teaspoon vanilla extract
1                  teaspoon finely shredded lemon zest
1/4              teaspoon salt
3                 large eggs 
3                 large egg whites 
1                 cup low-fat (1%) Greek yogurt 

　
1.             Preheat oven to 325°. In a small bowl, combine graham cracker crumbs, butter, and 1 tbsp. sugar. Press into the bottom of a 9-in. springform pan. Bake until golden brown, about 10 minutes.
2.            Meanwhile, drain cottage cheese in a strainer 15 minutes. Whirl cottage cheese in a food processor until smooth. Add neufchâtel and 2 cups sugar and blend until no lumps remain. Then add flour, vanilla, lemon zest, salt, eggs, and egg whites and blend until mixture is smooth, scraping inside of bowl as needed. Pour into prepared pan.
3.            Bake until edges are puffed slightly and center barely jiggles when pan is shaken gently, about 1 1/2 hours. Turn off oven, leave door slightly ajar, and let cheesecake sit in oven another 30 minutes.
4.           Mix together yogurt and remaining 1 tbsp. sugar. Put cheesecake on a cooling rack. Carefully spread yogurt-sugar mixture over top of cheesecake and let cool completely. Chill, covered with foil, at least 4 hours. Run a thin knife around the outside of the cheesecake to loosen, remove side of pan, and slice cheesecake with a hot knife.