No Bake Vegan Chocolate Cheesecake Recipe
What goes together better than chocolate and fruit? Not much, that’s for sure! This no-bake vegan chocolate cheesecake recipe is the perfect balance of that sweet, creamy, deliciousness you expect from traditional cheesecake… without dairy or added sugar!
Is it me, or is Valentines day is a giant bucket of mixed emotions?
For instance, most people I talk to are either stressed about getting gifts, or upset because they don’t have anyone to gift!
Whether you’re single, married, (or even asexual!), let’s release all negative emotions this year with these velvety vegan chocolate cheesecake bites!
(One big exhale, all together now: “AHHHHHhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!”)
Valentines day is very bittersweet for me. It’s hard not to look back and remember the countless years I longed for someone to share the special day with.. even though I was a closeted mormon boy for a majority of that time.
To make matters worse, I was also the recipient of a lot of sick jokes on Valentines day. The most hurtful was when a girl on my bus passed a bag to me and shouted “this is your valentines gift!”
I was overjoyed! Someone noticed me? Someone cared enough to bring me a gift!?
I unwrapped the plastic and my happiness was immediately extinguished. It was a bag of (what I can only guess was) smashed, soggy cookies. Someone noticed me, for sure.
I have never run home crying so hard in my entire life.
My mom tried her best to console me; “you’ll find someone..”, “people are assholes, you’re better than that!”. Despite her best efforts, it still hurt like a bitch.
Now, fast forward 10 years. I’m finally out of the closet and I’ve found the love of my life. Long story short, it gets better!
Fortunately, I have moved on from my dark past. I realize looking back that those people were jealous. I was overweight, closeted, repressed, and depressed… did I show it? Absolutely not. Everyone thought I was the funniest kid in school, and it made them jealous to see me succeed.
So now that I’ve shared my heartbreaking story, it’s time to move on! The past gone for a MF’n reason!
This year, I wanted to honor my newfound love for peace with Valentine’s day! And what’s my favorite way to celebrate!? With chocolate of course!
Vegan Chocolate Cheesecake for Everyone!
My gift to the world this Valentine’s day are these vegan chocolate cheesecakes!
They’re:
- Deliciously creamy
- No-bake
- Refined Sugar-free
- Vegan and Gluten-Free!
If I could mail these out to all of you, I totally would (I’ve eaten three today already!). However, the best I can do is share the easy recipe with you. That’s almost as good, right!?
In fact, while writing this recipe, my boyfriend Cameron gently asked “Nick… there’s coconut milk, cashews, and avocado in these.. are they going to be too creamy!?”
I scoffed back at him: “Is there such a thing as “too creamy”!?”.
I’m here to officially declare: no. They are not “too creamy”. In fact, these vegan chocolate cheesecakes are the perfect amount of creaminess you would expect!
Straight from the freezer these bites resemble a velvety chocolate ice cream. Leave them in the fridge (or counter) to thaw, and you have a thick, creamy, and dreamy cheesecake texture. All without baking!
No Bake Vegan Chocolate Cheesecake Recipe
Ingredients
For the Crust
- 1 cup packed pitted dates around 8-12
- 1 cup raw almonds
- 3 tablespoons cocoa powder
- 1 tablespoon coconut oil
- Pinch of salt
For the Chocolate Layer
- 1 1/2 cups raw cashews soaked overnight (or soaked in boiling water for 1 hour)
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1/4 cup full-fat coconut milk
- 1/4 cup coconut oil
- 1/4 cup + 2 tablespoons cocoa powder
- 1/4 cup + 2 tablespoons maple syrup
- 1 avocado peeled and pit removed
Instructions
For the Crust
- Combine all crust ingredients in food processor
- Process on high speed until evenly mixed. If the mixture doesn't hold its shape when pressed together, add 1-2 more dates as needed
- Spoon crust mixture into plastic wrap (or paper) lined muffin tray, 1 tablespoon at a time
- Press down with back of spoon or fingertips until compacted
For the Chocolate Layer
- After soaking cashews, drain and rinse thoroughly
- Combine layer ingredients in a high speed blender (I use Vitamix)
- Turn on high and blend until smooth
- Pour 1-2 tablespoons on top of crust mixture
- Tap trays on a counter to settle and smooth filling
- Place trays in freezer and allow to set for at least 2 hours
To Finish it Off!
- We topped ours with coconut whip, strawberries, and blueberries! Experiment with different flavor combinations for even more fun!
Notes
What are you doing to celebrate Valentine’s day? Any baking, cooking, or voodoo doll making I should know about!? Let me know!
Stay Real,
Nick ❤️
Bethany
February 18, 2017 at 11:46 amThese look delicious!!
Nick Abell
February 18, 2017 at 1:00 pmThank you!
Adrienne
February 23, 2017 at 6:22 amLooks good!
Nick Abell
February 24, 2017 at 1:22 pmThank you! 😀