Unpacking the Low-Licious Cheesecake Filling
The filling of the Low-Licious cheesecake features a blend of dairy and stabilizers to create a creamy texture similar to traditional cheesecake. The primary ingredients for the base are cream cheese and Neufchâtel cheese, providing a rich, tangy flavor, with stabilizers like carob bean, xanthan, and guar gums for texture. Sour cream further contributes to the creamy mouthfeel.
Sweeteners and Flavoring
Instead of sugar, the Low-Licious cheesecake uses a combination of sugar substitutes: isomalt, erythritol, and sucralose. Polydextrose is also included as a bulking agent and for fiber. Artificial vanilla flavor and cinnamon add classic dessert notes.
Dissecting the Sugar-Free and Gluten-Free Crust
The Low-Licious cheesecake has a gluten-free and sugar-free crust made from alternative flours and fibers. Pea starch, pea protein, brown rice flour, white rice flour, and tapioca starch form the base, while soluble maize and chicory fibers help bind it. Palm oil and margarine provide a buttery texture. The crust is sweetened with the same blend of polydextrose, isomalt, erythritol, and sucralose used in the filling.
Comparison: Low-Licious vs. Traditional Cheesecake
| Feature | Low-Licious Cheesecake | Traditional Cheesecake |
|---|---|---|
| Sweeteners | Polydextrose, Isomalt, Erythritol, Sucralose | Sugar (often cane sugar) |
| Crust Type | Gluten-Free, Sugar-Free (Pea Starch, Rice Flours) | Graham Cracker Crust (Wheat flour, whole wheat flour) |
| Dairy | Cream Cheese, Neufchâtel Cheese, Sour Cream | Cream Cheese, Sour Cream |
| Nutritional Profile | Fewer net carbs, no added sugar | Higher in sugar and total carbohydrates |
| Flavor | Similar creamy texture but with a subtle sweetness from substitutes | Rich, sweet, and tangy classic cheesecake flavor |
Additional Ingredients and Allergens
Other ingredients in the Low-Licious cheesecake include whole eggs for binding, soy lecithin as an emulsifier, and caramel color and beta-carotene for coloring.
The product contains milk, egg, and soy. There is a possibility of cross-contamination with peanuts and tree nuts during manufacturing. The Cheesecake Factory provides allergen information for its guests.
Conclusion
The Low-Licious cheesecake by Cheesecake Factory offers a dessert option with no added sugar and a gluten-free crust, utilizing sugar substitutes like erythritol and sucralose alongside alternative flours and fibers. This allows it to mimic the characteristics of traditional cheesecake while catering to specific dietary needs. Understanding its ingredients helps consumers make informed choices.
For more information on the sweeteners used, especially sucralose, readers can consult resources like the FDA's website, which offers insights into the safety and use of artificial sweeteners [https://www.fda.gov/food/food-additives-petitions/additional-information-about-high-intensity-sweeteners-guidance-industry].
