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Vegan Cashew Cheesecake {Grain-Free, Easy}

The best vegan cashew cheesecake is also one of the easiest desserts you can make! No cooking required, it is grain-free, gluten-free, & Paleo, too.

overhead shot of vegan cashew cheesecake on a marble board, and topped with berries

Cheesecake, Made with Neither Eggs nor Dairy

Cheesecake. Vegan. These two things do not go together.

Unless, that is, you blow up the rules for what a cheesecake should be.

For example, that cheesecake should have cheese. And eggs. A graham cracker crust, too.

Sounds impossible, but it is anything but that! My vegan version of cheesecake has none of the above, but it will blow. your. socks. off.

Moreover, by some bizarre alignment of the ingredient gods, the result tastes just like a traditional cheesecake. Lush, velvety, indulgent cheesecake, with the signature tang of the real thing and a decadent crust to boot.

How to Make Vegan Cashew Cheesecake

Are you ready? Let’s get to it!

Before you do anything else, you will need to soak some raw cashews for at least 12 hours, and then drain. Forget to soak the cashews? No problem: simply soak for 15 to 20 minutes in boiling water, and then drain and rinse under cool water.

soaked and drained cashews in a mesh strainer

You can find raw cashews at natural foods stores and in the health food section of the grocery store.  Once blended, they will comprise a major portion of the silken filling.

Make the Crust:

 

The crust could not be simpler: moist dates, unsweetened flaked coconut, and almonds. Simply pulse in the food processor and then press in the bottom of a springform pan. Done.

collage of ingredients for vegan cheesecake crust

 

The filling likewise requires no cooking nor baking of any kind, but you will need to blend like crazy. Pulverize the aforementioned soaked cashews with coconut milk, melted coconut oil (this is essential for holding everything together once chilled), lemon juice, and maple syrup, stopping periodically to scrape down the sides; the goal is a perfectly smooth consistency. A high-speed blender works best, but a regular blender will work, too, with plenty of blending.

 

Now pour the filling into the prepared crust and freeze until set.

vegan cshew cheesecake filling being poured into a no-bake crust

That’s it! Just like any basic cheesecake, you can flavor the filling in countless ways or top the finished cake with fruit (I am a sucker for fresh berries), or perhaps a drizzle of caramel or melted dark chocolate. To cheesecake!

a slice of vegan cheesecake, topped with berries,   on a lilac plate

More Delectable Vegan Cakes to Try:

  1. Vanilla Almond Flour Cake {oil-free}
  2. Chickpea Flour Chocolate Layer Cake
  3. Vegan & Grain-Free Vanilla Layer Cake
  4. Vegan Coconut Flour Cupcakes
  5. Gluten-Free & Vegan Vanilla Bundt Cake
  6. Vegan Red Velvet Cake
  7. Chickpea Flour Gingerbread Bundt Cake
  8. Pumpkin Hemp Heart Cheesecake
overhead shot of vegan cashew cheesecake on a marble board, and topped with berries

Vegan Cashew Cheesecake {Grain-Free, Easy}

Yield: 10 slices
Prep Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes

The best vegan cashew cheesecake is also one of the easiest desserts you can make! No cooking required, it is also grain-free & gluten-free.

Ingredients

Crust:

  • 3/4 cup almonds or pecans
  • 1/3 cup unsweetened flake coconut
  • 1 cup packed pitted dates

Filling:

  • 2-1/2 cups raw cashews (soaked overnight in cold water)
  • 1/2 cup full fat coconut milk, well-stirred
  • 1/2 cup virgin coconut oil, melted
  • 2/3 cup pure maple syrup
  • 1/3 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice
  • (optional) 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • (optional) toppings, such as fresh fruit, melted chocolate. or caramel sauce

Instructions

  1. Line the bottom of a 6-inch springform pan with parchment paper or wax paper; grease sides of pan (coconut oil is a good choice)
  2. Place the almonds and coconut in a high-speed blender or food processor; process until finely chopped. add the dates, pulse, using on/off pulses; until dates are finely chopped and mixture comes together as a cohesive dough. Press mixture evenly into bottom of prepared pan.
  3. Filling: Drain the cashews and place in high-speed blender. Add the coconut milk, coconut oil, maple syrup, lemon juice and (optional) vanilla. Processor, stopping to scrape down blender several times, until completely smooth.
  4. Pour filling into prepared crust. Cover pan with foil and freeze for at least 12 hours until set. Let stand at room temperature for 15 to 20 minutes before cutting into slices and serving.
  5. Let thaw at room temperature for 15 to 20 minutes before serving.

Notes

Quick soak for cashews: If you do not have time to soak the cashews overnight, quick soak them! Place in a large bowl and cover with boiling water (enough to cover by an inch/2.5 cm). Let soak for 15 to 20 minutes until very plump, and then drain and rinse under cool water.

Storage: Store the cheesecake, covered, in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Nutrition Information
Serving Size 1/10 of cheesecake
Amount Per Serving Calories 0Total Fat 0gSaturated Fat 0gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 0gCholesterol 0mgSodium 0mgCarbohydrates 0gFiber 0gSugar 0gProtein 0g

Did you make this recipe?

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Bruna

Monday 26th of April 2021

Hello, I would love to make this recipie but I can't have dates... How can I substitute them?

Camilla

Wednesday 28th of April 2021

Hi Bruna! Since they are only used in the crust, you could up the coconut and pecans to 1 cup each (omitting the dates) and add a tablespoon of coconut oil and a tablespoon or two of coconut sugar to your taste.

Alternatively, the cheesecake is also great with no crust (I do it that way a lot; lazy me). And if it's just dates, not other dried fruit, you could use raisins, dried cranberries, or (my favorite) dried apricots in place of the dates.

6 desserts you can make when you're PMSing that will actually make you feel better

Friday 29th of July 2016

[…] I don’t mean to be a drama queen, but I nearly fainted when I had my first bite of this. Again, I can thank my S.O. for this one. In a way, it was a sequel to his key lime pie. I helped him make it, so I can attest to how simple it is. It just requires some planning ahead (something that neither my S.O. nor I are very good at, so it’s miracle we pulled this off), since you need to soak the cashews for 12 hours before using them. And don’t think you can just skip this part! It’s crucial to having an impossibly creamy cheesecake. […]

Camilla

Thursday 6th of April 2017

So happy to read this!!!!!!!

Charmsley88

Sunday 3rd of July 2016

We have made this recipe several times and love it! Thanks so much for sharing.

Camilla

Sunday 3rd of July 2016

You are so welcome! So glad you are enjoying it so much!

JESSIE

Sunday 27th of March 2016

Sooo yummy, loved it! My family includes vegans, some gluten and lactose intolerance, and those doing the paleo diet. This recipe is a win for all of us!!

Camilla

Wednesday 20th of April 2016

yay!!!!! :)

Nancy

Wednesday 9th of December 2015

Amazing!!! My whole family LOVED this cheesecake! I haven't had cheesecake in over 5 years and felt like I was eating the real thing. My brother who is able able to eat real cheesecake even thought it was amazing and asked for the recipe. The only thing I did different was use the solid part only of the canned coconut milk. I look forward to any excuse to celebrate with this dessert. ☺

Camilla

Friday 11th of December 2015

I am thrilled to hear that you and the family love this, Nancy!!!

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