Cinnamon Apple Protein Cheesecake

Makes one 6" cheesecake (8 servings).

All ingredients should be at room temperature.

Ingredients for crust:

• 1/4 cup almond butter (or any nut butter) (60g)
• 3 tablespoons filtered water (45ml)
• 1/4 cup vanilla rice (or pea) protein powder (28g)
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon (1.25ml)
• A pinch of sea salt

Ingredients for apple layer/topping:

• 1 medium apple, peeled, cored and steamed (1 cup, about 125g before steaming)
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon (1.25ml)
• 2 tablespoons natural (unsweetened) applesauce (28g)

Ingredients for cheesecake:

• 2 packages Neufchâtel cheese (16oz, 448g)
• 8 packets stevia (8g)
• 4 large eggs, whole (200g)
• 8oz fat-free Greek yogurt (227g)
• 1 teaspoon alcohol-free vanilla extract (5ml)
• 1/2 cup natural vanilla whey protein powder (48g)
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon (2.5ml)

Instructions:

• Preheat oven to 325F (163C).
• Line the bottom of a 6" springform pan with parchment paper, and wrap the bottom of the pan in foil.
• Rub coconut oil around the sides of the pan (or spray with cooking spray).
• Make the crust by first mixing the almond butter and water until combined.
• Mix in rice protein, cinnamon, and salt.
• Press into the bottom of the springform, and set aside.
• Chop the steamed apples, and sprinkle with cinnamon.
• Lay about 1/3 of the apples over the crust. Mix the rest of the apples with the applesauce for the topping, and set aside.
• Beat the Neufchâtel cheese and stevia until combined.
• Add eggs and mix well.
• Add yogurt and vanilla, and beat until smooth.
• Add whey protein and cinnamon, and beat until smooth.
• Pour batter over crust.
• Place the springform in a water bath in the oven (put the springform in a larger pan with about 1 inch of water).
• Bake at 325F (163C) for 30 minutes, then lower the oven to 200F (93C) and bake for 40-50 minutes more. The cake should be firm around the edges, but the center should be jiggly. 
• Remove from oven, and let cool at room temperature.
• Refrigerate for several hours (cake will continue to set).
• Top with apple mixture, and enjoy!

Macros

• Macros per piece (1/8 cake):
• Protein: 18g,
• Carbs: 8g (1g fiber, 5g sugar),
• Fat: 19g,
• Calories: 275

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