Gluten-Free

Cashew Cheesecake

by:
June  6, 2021
5
3 Ratings
Photo by jonajim
  • Prep time 45 minutes
  • Makes 6” cheesecake
Author Notes

This is seriously the easiest dessert with the biggest payoff. Just make sure to plan ahead and soak the cashews overnight. But what makes this cashew cheesecake different from others is the toasted coconut in the crust and the melted butter in the filling. These two ingredients give the cheesecake a buttery, baked flavor and rich & creamy texture missing from most raw, vegan & gluten-free cheesecakes. I recommend the white miso, which imparts the distinct tang and culture of cream cheese. The great part about this recipe (which I encourage) is that you can customize and add flavors. I’ve made this base recipe into dark chocolate blackberry, key lime, lemon lavender, chocolate caramel, cookies & cream, cranberry orange, etc. just adjust flavorings or add toppings. —jonajim

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Ingredients
  • Crust
  • 3/4 cup almonds (118g)
  • 8 - 12 medjool dates, pitted
  • 1/4 cup coconut, preferably toasted (14g)
  • 2 teaspoons vegan butter or coconut oil (10mL)
  • 1 splash vanilla
  • 1 pinch sea salt
  • Filling
  • 2 cups raw & unsalted cashews, soaked overnight then drained & rinsed (300g)
  • 1/2 cup coconut milk (118mL)
  • 1/3 cup hunny, maple syrup or agave (79mL)
  • 1/4 cup coconut oil (59mL)
  • 1 - 2 tablespoons lemon juice (15-30mL)
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla (10mL)
  • 1 pinch sea salt
  • 2 tablespoons vegan butter, melted (28g)
  • 1-3 teaspoons shiro or white miso, optional
  • Tangy Cranberry Sauce (if you’re making the cranberry variation)
Directions
  1. Cover the cashews with boiling water, and store overnight in the refrigerator to soak. If you’re making the cranberry variation, make my Tangy Cranberry Sauce recipe. Then you can purée it if you want a thinner sauce.
  2. Process all the crust ingredients until mostly processed and to your liking. I prefer some coarse nuts and coconut. The mix should come together when pressed. If it’s too dry add medjool dates; if it’s too wet add almonds or coconut. Press into a lined & greased 6” springform pan. Set aside.
  3. Combine all ingredients in blender and emulsify starting on low to break up the cashews and increasing until on high - until smooth and creamy (about 1 minute total in a Vitamix). Pour into lined 6” springform pan with crust already prepared in the bottom. Tap on counter to remove some air bubbles, but don’t go crazy with it. Freeze until set (usually in a couple of hours or overnight).
  4. A few hours before you’re ready to serve, remove the frozen cheesecake from the mold. Sometimes it releases easily, but you may have to warm the sides of the pan a little. Set onto a plate and defrost in the refrigerator for a couple of hours - just make sure the middle is defrosted before serving (you can check with a toothpick or knife inserted into the center). Enjoy!

See what other Food52ers are saying.

14 Reviews

Skyshighpastries May 12, 2023
Do I add the tangy cranberry sauce to it or top it with it? And do I add all the sauce your recipe made if so?
Virginia August 31, 2023
The cranberry ‘jam’ topping totally makes it!
I was interested in this recipe until I saw honey spelled HUNNY. Big turn off if you can’t spell an ingredient correctly.
jonajim July 11, 2021
I make a vegan honey alternative called... Hunny.
Helen R. July 22, 2021
Seriously?
Helen R. July 22, 2021
Sorry that seriously was to Heddyred42’s comment, I just hope they don’t break an arm when the fall off their high horse.
Heddyred42@att.net July 22, 2021
Well, my arm is now in a cast. SERIOUSLY,
It didn’t even occur to me, (hunny/honey)And , I should know better than to comment on ANYTHING. Thanks for setting me and my arm straight.
Alon P. June 30, 2020
Is the amount of cashew before or after soaking?
jonajim November 24, 2020
Sorry just seeing this, it’s before. Then you soak them.
tenmiler June 15, 2020
Any way to convert to non vegan?
jonajim November 24, 2020
why
Virginia August 31, 2023
Use real butter and dairy milk.
Jo M. April 19, 2020
is there a recipe for the Tangy Cranberry Sauce for the top of the cheesecake?
jonajim May 2, 2020
Yes here is the link: www.food52.com/recipes/82161-tangy-cranberry-orange-sauce (you can also search “tangy cranberry orange sauce” on food52)