No-Bake Gluten-Free Labneh Cheesecake | Two-Ingredients

This two-ingredient cheesecake recipe is really just that – labneh and jam. Labneh, which is also known as yogurt cheese, can be purchased from specialty Middle Eastern stores or made easily at home. When topped with jam, the yogurt transforms into a no-bake gluten-free cheesecake!

 
Credit for this dessert goes to Fig Del in Victoria. There, they make their own Labneh, and the owner kindly shared his favourite topping – preserved cherries.  Labneh can be easily made at home using a good quality yogurt and some cheesecloth. It can be enjoyed savoury, or sweet. Topping it with jam makes for a quick and easy ‘cheesecake’, but for a savoury option try it with some crackers and pickled vegetables or smoked fish.

Diabetes Friendly Dessert

When we enjoy something sweet, balancing it out with a good source of protein or healthy fat can help dampen the effect on our blood glucose (sugar) levels. This helps us to avoid the post-dessert sugar spikes and corresponding drops. Labneh is is a good source of protein, and one serving of this dessert offers 7 grams of protein.

Instructions

• • Ingredients – yogurt and fruit or jam

• Cut 3 pieces of cheesecloth, about 12×12 inches, and layer onto a strainer.

• Place the cheesecloth on top of a small strainer, about 6 inches in diameter. Add the 3 cups of Greek yogurt, and place the strainer over a rimmed dish or shallow bowl to catch the liquid whey.

• Leave the yogurt in the fridge for at least 12 hours, or up to 24. The final consistency should be slightly softer then spreadable cream cheese, and there should be 1/3-1/2 cup of whey at the bottom of the bowl. Option to discard the why, or use for future fermenting projects.

• Gently flip the strainer with the yogurt in it onto a small serving plate. Remove the strainer, and then peel off the cheesecloth.
• If you are using fresh or frozen berries, add them to a saucepan and heat them up slightly. Mash them with the back of a fork. Depending on the berry you may need 1-2 tablespoons of water. Option to add a small amount of honey to sweetened the berries. Alternatively, top the labneh cheesecake with your favourite jam. It is ready to serve!

Tips

Choosing a Greek Yogurt

I prefer using a yogurt that has a higher milk fat (M.F.) percentage. The yogurt I used is Tree Island, which is made on Vancouver Island from grass-fed cows. They use grass-fed dairy which is naturally higher in omega-3 fatty acids. The Greek yogurt that has resulted in the best Labneh for me has a 6.5% M.F., but if you can’t find this one look for a Greek yogurt that has at least 3% M.F.

How Long So I Let The Labneh Set?

Make sure to let the Greek yogurt set for at least 12 hours, but preferably 24 hours. The longer you let it sit, the more firm the consistency will be making it more similar to a traditional cheesecake.

Choosing A Topping

This recipe uses jam or fresh berries that have been cooked down so the berries have a jam-like consistency. Other topping ideas:

• Preserved cherries
• Marmalade
• Canned peaches
• Fresh berries and a drizzle of honey
• Chopped nuts with a drizzle of honey

Making A One-Ingredient Cheesecake

Use a flavoured yogurt, such as Tree Islands Chai Latte or Orange Blossom and Cardamon, and then no topping is needed. Vanilla Greek yogurt also works great.

Can I Use Regular Yogurt?

If you don’t have Greek yogurt, that is OK! You will need to let it strain for longer due to the higher water content, and increase the yogurt to 4 cups to make sure the end product is enough for 4 servings.

Can I Use The Leftover Whey?

Don’t throw out the whey! It contains vitamins, minerals, beneficial bacteria and protein. Save the whey and add to:

• Any baking recipe that asks for water or milk
• Smoothies
• Lacto-fermentation (ie saurkraut!)
• Feed it to your dog!

Reusing the Cheesecloth

You can reuse the cheesecloth. Simply rinse it well under running water to remove any chunks of yogurt. I like to then put the cheesecloth in a bowl and cover it with boiling water to help sterilize it. Dry well before storing it.

Other Uses for Labneh

Traditionally Labneh is had with flatbread for a delicious morning spreadable ‘cheese’. Here are some of my other favourite ways to enjoy labneh.

• Top it with pesto and dig in with some seedy crackers (try this Lebanese Wild Fennel Pesto)
• Have it for breakfast on top of some eggs poached in a Moroccan tomato sauce.
• Enjoy on a platter alongside some hummus and baba ghanoush
• Use in a wrap with some falafel or roasted vegetables.

Other Healthy Dessert Recipes

Desserts can definitely be a part of a healthy diet. I love desserts that have the protein to help stabilize blood sugars, and are low in refined sugar. Here are some of my favourite dessert recipes:

• Roasted Rhubarb Apple Crisp – A one-pan crisp and only 6 ingredients!
• Raw Chocolate Date Bars – A delicious cacao and date bar, only 4 ingredients.
• Seedy Peanut Butter Oatmeal Cookies – No refined flour here, and you won’t even miss it.