Two-Ingredient Gluten-Free Cheesecake [Labna Cheesecake]

Tis the season for endless treats. There is no escaping them – at work, a holiday potlatch, a thoughtful edible gift. A small amount of [ideally natural] sugar enjoyed in the company of friends and loved ones is an important part of social relationships and our food culture. We know that when we do have 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 and for this, I am sharing my new favourite go-to healthy dessert. Labna, or yogurt cheese, is high in protein and good fats and makes the base for this two-ingredient gluten-free cheesecake. Labna is simple to make at home and what this high-protein dessert lacks in difficulty, it makes up for in taste.

“Combining a good source of protein or healthy fats with your carbohydrates or sugars helps to stabilize blood glucose levels and decrease the post-dessert sugar spikes, and corresponding drops. Try adding Greek yogurt, nuts or seeds, or nut butters to your desserts for stable blood glucose levels.”

Labna is traditionally eaten in Middle Eastern countries, often served with flatbread for breakfast with some aromatic olive oil. Some of my favourite memories of traveling in the Middle East are experiencing the breakfast ritual sitting on the cool stone floor on early desert mornings and slathering this yogurt spread onto freshly baked bread. Labna is made by straining yogurt and can be easily made at home. If the thought of messing around with cheesecloth, sounds daunting, Labna can also be purchased at specialty Middle Eastern or Mediterranean Stores. The owner of Fig Deli here in Victoria assured me that topping Labna with preserved cherries makes the best gluten-free cheesecake around – and he is right!

To make your own Labna for this gluten-free cheesecake be sure to use a good quality yogurt. The only yogurt I use and recommend is Tree Island Greek yogurt. Tree Island yogurt is made right here on Vancouver Island, but it is also available all across the lower mainland of BC and as far away as specialty stores in Ontario and Quebec. They use grass-fed dairy which is naturally higher in omega-3 fatty acids. The yogurt is naturally creamy due to its 6.5% M.F. and does not use any funky ingredients like thickeners, gelatin, or protein powder.

So what is the second ingredient? This Labna gluten-free cheesecake is topped with Homemade Honey Sweetened Strawberry Jam, gifted by a talented friend. It also tastes great with Wild Blackberry Jam, as well as preserved cherries. I know that technically it is not a two-ingredient cheesecake, but at this time of year who doesn’t have a fridge full of homemade jams? The combination of the thick and creamy Tree Island homemade Labna, topped with the sticky sweet homemade jam makes this simple gluten-free cheesecake an easy bet for your next holiday gathering.