Berry and lemon cheesecakes
Unbaked vegan cheesecakes mimic the taste and texture of conventional cheesecakes as the creamy filling is made by blending nuts and liquids in a high-powered blender. In these cheesecakes, the berries have a subtle natural sweetness that is brought out by the tartness of lemon. Plus, the berries impart a gorgeous colour! I reduced the berries on the stovetop to bring out their subtle flavour and to evaporate any water (to prevent the cheesecakes from crystallising if you store them in the freezer).
Serving Size
Makes 8 individual cheesecakes with piping
WHAT YOU NEED
Base
1 cup (145 g) almonds
1/3 cup (53 g) pitted dates, soaked in water for at least 2 hours
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Pinch of salt
Cheesecake Layers
1 cup (145 g) fresh or (155 g) frozen blueberries, (125 g) raspberries, or berries of choice
2 1/2 cups (350 g) cashews, soaked in water for at least 4 hours
1 cup (235 ml) coconut cream, canned and only the thick white part at the top of the can
1/2 cup (112 g) coconut oil, melted
⅓ cup (80 ml) + 2 tablespoons (28 ml) melted cacao butter, divided
¼-1/2 cup (80–100 g) rice malt or maple syrup, or any other plant-based liquid sweetener to taste
Pinch of salt
2 tablespoons (28 ml) fresh lemon juice and the zest of those lemons
Dash of vanilla extract
Pinch of turmeric
WHAT TO DO
To make the base: Process the almonds in a food processor until they form small crumbs. Drain the dates and add them to the food processor with the cinnamon and salt. Process
until the mixture comes together. Press the mixture in the bases of cupcake silicon molds and set aside.
To prepare the berry puree: Add the berries to a small saucepan over medium-high heat. Boil while stirring for 5 minutes or until the berries break down and most of the berry juice evaporates. Set aside.
To make the cheesecake filling: Drain the cashews. Add them to a high-powered blender with the coconut cream, coconut oil, ⅓ cup (80 ml) of melted cacao butter, sweetener, and salt and blend until the mixture is smooth. Divide the mixture between 2 bowls. Add the lemon juice, lemon zest, vanilla, and turmeric to one bowl and mix. Spoon the lemon cheesecake into the cupcake molds, filling each halfway. Put the molds in the freezer and the remaining lemon cheesecake mixture in the fridge.
Add the berry puree and 2 tablespoons (28 ml) melted cacao butter to the remaining plain cheesecake mixture and puree with a stick blender or a stand blender until smooth.
When the lemon cheesecake mixture in the molds is dry to the touch, fill the molds with the berry cheesecake. Return the molds to the freezer and put the remaining berry cheesecake in the fridge.
When the cheesecake surface is firm to the touch and the sides can be squeezed without resistance, carefully remove them from the silicone molds.
To decorate: When the leftover cheesecake mixture has firmed up, it can be used for piping. The mixture should be the consistency of thick buttercream. If it is too runny, let it set in the fridge for longer. If it is too firm, let it soften at room temperature. The mixture needs to be very smooth to be piped. Put the cheesecake mixture in a piping bag and decorate cupcakes as desired.
The cheesecakes can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days or in the freezer for up to 1 month. SAVE PRINT