This dairy-free "cheesecake" is so satisfying, you won't even miss the cream cheese. The layered effect of strawberry and vanilla with the almond crust has a rustic, charming feel.
Whether you share it with your significant other or family and friends, you can feel great knowing this dessert is made with pure, whole-food ingredients (and a bit of love). ♥
Raw & Vegan Strawberry Vanilla Cheesecake
Yield: Serves 12
Ingredients
For the crust
- 1 1/2 cups raw almonds
- Pinch sea salt, or Himalayan pink salt
-
2 cups pitted medjool dates
For the filling
- 3 cups cashews
- 1/4 teaspoon sea salt or Himalayan pink salt
- 2/3 cup melted coconut oil
- 1 vanilla bean, cut in half, seeds scraped out for use*
- 3 tablespoons lemon juice
- 1/2 cup agave nectar
- 1 cup strawberries
- *2 teaspoons of vanilla extract or 1 tsp vanilla powder may be substituted for the vanilla bean
Preparation
Soak the cashews in water overnight or for three or more hours. Drain them of water and set aside.
Place the almonds and sea salt in a food processor and grind roughly. Add the dates and process until the mixture is uniform and sticks together when you squeeze a bit in the palm your hand. Press mixture evenly onto the bottom of a 9" springform pan.
Use a high speed blender or food processor (high speed blender is preferable) to blend all filling ingredients except for the strawberries thoroughly, until silky smooth. If you're working with a processor, you may need to stop often to scrape it down.
Pour just more than half of the filling mixture into the springform pan. Use an inverted spatula to smooth it over. Transfer to the fridge for thirty minutes or more to let this layer set.
Blend the strawberries into the remaining filling mixture. Set it aside in a bowl while the first layer is setting. Once the first layer has been in the fridge for thirty minutes or longer, spread the strawberry layer over the plain vanilla layer. Transfer whole cheesecake to the fridge and let it sit for two hours or longer before slicing and serving. Freezes well.
Courtesy of Epicurious.com, recipe found here.
