Recipe: Healthy Pumpkin Cheesecake Bites

These bite-size delectables offer the rich flavor of cream cheese and ricotta (both low-fat), along with the cinnamon and pumpkin flavors that are so welcome at this time of year. Small but oh-so satisfying — and the pumpkin puree offers nutritional benefits, too.

Ingredients

• 1 (8 oz) block of reduced fat cream cheese
• 1/2 cup low fat ricotta cheese
• 1/2 cup pumpkin puree
• 2 tsp vanilla
• 1/2 tsp pumpkin pie spice
• 1/2 tsp cinnamon
• 3 tbsp powdered sugar
• Puff pastry mini cups — 2 packages

Directions

1. Blend ingredients in food processor for 1 full minute.
2. Scrape the sides of the food processor and blend for another 30 seconds.
3. Spoon 2 tablespoons of the mixture into each mini pastry cup and serve.

Ingredient health benefits

These delicious treats also boast a number of healthy ingredients:

• Cheese: This recipe includes both cream cheese and ricotta cheese, which, in moderation, can be a good source of calcium and protein.
• Pumpkin: This fall-favorite superfood is rich in vitamin A, which is great for your eyes, and also is high in potassium, which is healthy for your heart.
• Cinnamon: This popular spice has anti-inflammatory properties and may help reduce both blood sugar and cholesterol.

Nutrition information (per serving)

Makes 30 servings
Serving size = 1 pastry

Calories: 120
Protein: 1 g
Carbohydrate: 4 g
Dietary fiber: 0 g
Total fat: 3 g
Saturated fat: 1 g
Sugar: 1 g
Sodium: 55 mg
Calcium: 14 mg
Magnesium: 1 mg
Potassium: 9 mg