Low Carb Chocolate Pecan Cheesecake Squares

By aerin8

http://www.pinterest.com/pin/541557923913641478/

Recipe from George Stella’s “Still Livin’ Low Carb” Cookbook

Ingredients

• CRUST
• 2 large eggs, beaten until frothy
• 1 cup almond flour
• 1 ⁄3 cup bulk sugar substitute
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• FILLING
• 16 ounces cream cheese, softened
• 1 ⁄2 cup bulk sugar substitute
• 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
• 3 large eggs
• 1 batch Chocolate Ganache (recipe below)
• 16 Pecan halves

Details

Servings 16
Preparation time 25mins
Cooking time 70mins
Adapted from pinterest.com

Preparation

Step 1

1. Place oven rack in the center position and preheat to 350°F. Line an 8x8-inch baking dish with parchment paper.

2. Add crust ingredients to a bowl and mix well. Spread into the lined baking dish and bake for about 15 minutes, or until lightly browned. Remove and let cool for 5 minutes.

3. As the crust bakes, add the filling ingredients to an electric mixer and mix on medium speed for just 1 minute.

4. Pour over the pre-baked crust in the baking dish and bake for about 30 minutes, or until the center is firm and a toothpick inserted comes out mostly clean. Let cool 30 minutes.

5. While the cake is cooling, prepare the Chocolate Ganache and quickly drizzle over the top of the cake—sticking the pecan halves in rows into the chocolate.

6. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours before removing entire cake from pan by lifting the parchment paper out. Slice into 16 squares to serve.

HELPFUL HINTS
We use 2 pieces of parchment paper to ensure that the sides of the baking dish are entirely covered.

Calories:195|Fat: 17.5g |Protein: 6g|Fiber: 1g |*Net Carbs: 2.5g
(*Includes Chocolate Ganache)
---------------------------------------------------------------------
CHOCOLATE GANACHE

1 tablespoon butter
1⁄2 cup bulk sugar substitute
2 teaspoons half and half, may use heavy cream
1 ounce unsweetened baking chocolate, chopped
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1. To make the Chocolate Ganache: Fill a pot over medium-high heat with 2 inches of water and bring to a low simmer. Place a stainless steel bowl over the pot.

2. Add the butter, sugar substitute, and half and half to the bowl and mix with a spatula until combined.

3. Add the chopped chocolate and stir just until melted and combined. Remove from heat and stir in the vanilla.

HELPFUL HINTS
If the Chocolate Ganache is too thick, thin it out with a little extra half and half.

See MORE of my Recipes on Pinterest--->
http://www.pinterest.com/thegeorgestella/low-carb/