RASPBERRY RAW VEGAN CHEESECAKE

With Valentine's Day just a couple of weeks away I thought it time to make you a sweet pinkalicious treat. But I love you too much to give you refined sugar and processed ingredients. And they are just not necessary. It's beautiful organic food like this that reminds me how amazing nature is. I mean, this dessert is 100% plants! Cashews are a common ingredient in vegan and raw creamy recipes. Once soaked, they can be pureed into a smooth "cream" that can be flavored however you like. If you've never tried a cashew based cheesecake it may sound a little suspicious, but I promise it's just as tasty as the real thing. Yummy Hubby had no idea this was a healthy dessert. When I asked him what he thought this was made out of he was sure it was cream and sugar. Nope, it's just pure fiber, protein, plant-y goodness. 

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Let's talk about the crust. Butter, flour, sugar? Nope... try dates, coconut, and nuts. I used the nuts I happened to have around: almonds and macadamia nuts, but you could really use your favorite nuts.


Press that sweet base into the bottom of a loaf pan lined with plastic wrap or parchment paper. Whip together the cashews and filling ingredients in the same food processor or blender until smooth and creamy and pour about 1/3 over the crust - just eyeball it. Add the raspberries (you could use any berry!) to the remaining batter and pour it over for another layer.

Isn't she pretty?! I pressed some whole raspberries into the vanilla layer and we all agreed that was one of our favorite parts.

This dreamy dessert can be served chilled like a cheesecake, but we like it best very frozen, like an ice cream cake. Having these little squares in the freezer for after school snacks is just wonderful. Okay, who am I kidding, I totally eat several for breakfast as I dash out the door.

 

You can make these even more festive for Valentine's Day by drizzling a a little dark chocolate over the top. Divine and guilt-free! 

Raspberry Raw Vegan Cheesecake Slice Recipe 
printer friendly recipe 

Ingredients

• 1 cup dates, pitted
• 1 cup almonds, walnuts, macadamia nuts, or a combination
• 1/2 cup unsweetened flaked coconut
• 2 cups cashews, soaked overnight or 1 hour in a bowl with boiling water poured over
• 1/4 cup coconut oil, melted
• 1/3 cup coconut syrup or honey
• 1 lemon, juiced
• 3/4 cup coconut milk (the cream from the top is best)
• 1 vanilla bean, seeds scraped out
• 6 oz raspberries (fresh or frozen)

Cooking Directions

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1. Line a loaf pan with plastic wrap or parchment paper. Set aside.
2. In the bowl of a food processor or heavy duty blender, pulse dates, nuts, and coconut until the mixture comes together into a ball of dough. If the mixture is too dry, add another date or a few drops of water. Press this crust into the bottom of the prepared loaf pan.
3. Place the drained cashews, coconut oil, coconut syrup or honey, lemon juice and coconut milk into the food processor or blender and puree until very smooth and creamy. Stir in the vanilla bean seeds and discard the pod. Pour roughly 2/3 of the cashew "cream" over the crust. Press 1/3 of the berries into the vanilla cream. Place pan into the freezer.
4. Add the remaining 2/3 berries to the food processor with the remaining 1/3 vanilla cream. Puree until smooth. Pour the raspberry cream over vanilla layer and place back in the freezer for several hours, until completely frozen.
5. Our family likes this best served frozen and my kids consider this "Ice cream" but others prefer it just chilled like a cheesecake.