Raw cakes are one of the delightful things we’ve discovered since we started eating vegan. I make a different one almost every week. This raw vegan cheesecake recipe has a delicious pecan crust with a creamy lemony filling. This week we topped the cheesecake with fresh kiwi, mango and blueberries. But it’s absolutely delicious with any combination of fruits.
Almost everything vegan with a ‘cheesy’ twist is made with cashews. To make a delectable vegan cheesecake you need to make sure you soak your cashews for at least 2 hours (or overnight). This recipe calls for 1 1/2 cups cashews. I place a wee bit more than 1 1/4 cups cashews in a 2 cup measuring cup then fill it with water to the 1 3/4 cup line. The cashews absorb some of the water bringing their level to 1 1/2 cups.
Ingredients:
Crust:
- 1 cup oats
- 3/4 cup pecans
- 1 cup medjool dates – 1 – 3 more if needed
- 1 tablespoon coconut oil
- a large pinch of salt
Filling:
- 1 1/2 cups cashews – *soak in water for at least 2 hours. Rinse and drain.
- 1/2 cup almond milk – unsweetened, unflavored
- juice from 1 – 2 lemons
- 3 tablespoons honey or agave or other organic, natural liquid sweetener
- 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
- a pinch of salt
- 1/2 cup liquid coconut oil
- 2 tablespoons cacao butter in liquid (but thick) form.
Fresh fruit garnish:
- sliced kiwi
- diced mango
- blueberries
Or … fresh fruit of your choice.
I use a 6-inch x 2 3/4-inch spring form pan. *affiliate link
Directions:
- Place rolled oats, pecans, dates, coconut oil and salt in a food processor. Blend until combined but with texture. It should stick together when pinched between two fingers. If not, add another date as needed.
- Pour the crust mixture into a 6 inch springform pan. Press firmly all over. I use a flat bottom, straight edge glass to press the crust evenly.
- Put the crust in freezer to set.
- Wash and dry food processor in preparation for mixing the filling.
- In food processor blend, cashews, almond milk, lemon juice, honey, vanilla extract and salt. When the filling mixture is creamy without lumps, add coconut oil and cacao butter. Mix again until combined.
- Pour the filling mixture on top of the crust.
- Place in freezer for several hours or refrigerator overnight to set.
- Once filling is firm to touch, remove from freezer. Carefully remove the cheesecake from the springform pan.
- If you’re very careful and the cake is frozen you can remove it from the springform base. If you’re able to… carefully slide the cake onto a serving plate.
- Top the cheesecake with fresh fruit however your heart desires. There’s no right or wrong way to do this.
- If your cheesecake isn’t devoured immediately… keep in the refrigerator.
Allie D. says
This is perfect to make for my family who have severe dairy and gluten food sensitivities! Can’t wait to make this! Thanks for sharing this.
Cathi says
Oh Allie. It sounds like this delectable cheesecake would be perfect for your family!
Cathi
Robin Masshole Mommy says
That sounds amazing. My sister in law is a vegan and she will LOVE this.
Cathi says
Thanks Robin! I find this cheesecake to be a vegan’s dream. I think your sister-in-law will love it!
Cathi
Brandy says
That looks amazing! I’ve never had a vegan cheesecake before but it looks delicious!
Cathi says
Thanks Brandy! It’s is delicious!! 🙂
Cathi
Jonna says
That looks amazing! I am not vegan but I am thinking I may make this anyways!!
Cathi says
Thanks Jonna! I think you’ll love it as much as we do.
Cathi
Dawn McAlexander says
That cheesecake topped with fruit looks amazing! I am cooling off by just looking at it. I would love to dive into it and eat a big ole slice right about now.
Cathi says
Thanks Dawn! And that’s just what we did last night. My husband and I each cooled off from the SoCal heat with a big slice of fruity cheesecake. *wink
Cathi
Jeanette says
That looks really good. I love the fresh kiwis and other fruits on top! I have never had a vegan cheesecake before, but this looks like something anyone would like!
Cathi says
Thanks Jeanette! I suppose a dairy connoisseur would know it’s vegan but to everyone else is just plain delicious!
Cathi
Jennifer says
This cheesecake sounds delicious! I have never done any raw or vegan baking before so this is something new to me.
Cathi says
Thanks Jennifer! Vegan cooking/baking is quite delightful. Full of flavor with natural ingredients.
Cathi
Kathy says
That looks so amazing! I love cheesecake. I’ve never had a raw vegan one before though. I bet it tastes great!
Cathi says
Thanks Kathy! Raw vegan cakes are so good. Always full of good nutrition too.
Cathi
Ann Bacciaglia says
I am always looking for new vegan recipes to try. This looks so delicious I can not wait to try this recipe.
Cathi says
Thanks Ann! I think you’ll love this as much as we do. It’s delicious!
Cathi
Tammi Roy says
I am looking for a new dessert recipe to try. This will be a great option to have at my next party.
Cathi says
I think you’ll really enjoy it Tammi.
Cathi
Alicia says
I don’t eat a strictly vegan diet but this dessert looks delicious! The fruit on top is very colorful as well.
Cathi says
Thanks Alicia! It’s a vegan’s dream dessert!
Cathi
Maria says
Vegan or not, I must try this recipe! This looks equally as delicious as most traditional cheesecake recipes.
Cathi says
Thanks Maria! It is so delicious it’s easy to forget it’s vegan.
Cathi
Vera Sweeney says
This cheese cake looks amazing!! I love that it is vegan as well as looking amazing.
Cathi says
Thanks Vera! We love it. It’s just what our vegan sweet tooth needs.
Cathi
janis says
I love how you layed the fruit on top, the cake looks really cool. I’ve never made a vegan cheesecake before, I’m impressed!
Cathi says
Thank you Janis! Once you’ve made one you’ll be hooked!
Cathi
Amy Desrosiers says
I am not vegan but am always amazed at how healthy ingredients can be formed into such treats. I am super interested in tasting this concoction.
Cathi says
I think you’d really like it Amy. This vegan cheesecake recipe is our favorite. We’re discovering a myriad of flavors and spices with new vegan recipes.
Cathi
Liz Mays says
It looks really beautiful, I have to say! I’m a HUGE cream cheese fan, but you’re such a whiz in the kitchen that I might not even miss it!
Cathi says
Ahhh Liz… you are such a sweetie. Thanks so much and… I think you’d like this cheesecake. I too was a huge cream cheese fan but I thrive on this cheesecake. *wink
Cathi
Tara says
Your cheesecake looks so delicious. I love all the fresh fruit you used. It looks so colorful.
Cathi says
Thanks so much Tara! We eat a lot of fresh fruit at our house so adding it to cheesecake is a WinWin.
Cathi
Sarah says
Cheesecake is a HUGE weakness of mine! the healthier I can make it the better!
anna says
Looks amazing