I haven't had real cheese cake in years. I don't even really remember what it tastes like, well, maybe a little. I do remember that I LOVED it, and miss it. So ever since I found this recipe I've been sort of obsessed with this tasty alternative to the tasty (but super unhealthy) traditional version. I also recently came cross this site, which is FULL of amazing raw "cheese" cake recipes. There appears to be two basic ways to use the cashews in a raw "cheese" cake (okay, enough with the quotations...we get it Amber, it's not REAL cheese). So the two ways are to use raw unsoaked cashews or raw soaked cashews. I am very curious about these two methods, so decided to try them both. I started with the unsoaked cashew method (basically, cashew butter like the first recipe mentioned) next I will try raw soaked cashews. I will be sure to test these two methods and cakes extensively on my husband and children. So far I'm loving the texture of the raw unsoaked cashews...but we will see how the other method measures up - stay tuned.
Raw Cherry "Cheese" Cake
Recipe slighted adapted from The Detoxinista
Ingredients:
Crust
-2 cups raw walnuts (soak and dry for optimal digestion)
-1 cup pitted and chopped dates (make sure they are soft and at room temp)
-2 teaspoons coconut oil
Filling
-8 ounces cashew butter
-1/4 cup honey (vegans use maple syrup or 30 drops of vanilla, lemon or plain stevia).
-5 to 6 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
-1/2 teaspoon vanilla
-1/2 teaspoon lemon flavor (optional)
Cherry Sauce
-1 cup pitted cherries
-1 tablespoon honey (vegans use maple syrup or 7 drops plain or flavored stevia)
How To:
1. For crust, in a food processor pulse walnuts a few times, add in dates and coconut oil. Blend until well incorporated. I used an 8 inch spring form pan. You can put some wax or parchment paper down on the bottom if you wish. Press walnut and date crust mixture into pan.
2. For the filling, in a blender or food processor, blend cashew butter, lemon juice, honey and vanilla (and optional lemon flavor). Blend until creamy. Add to the crust and smooth out. Then smooth some cherry sauce on top of the cashew butter mixture.
3. For the cherry sauce: in a blender (I used a Vitamix) blend the cherries and honey until a smooth sauce forms.
4. After assembly, place in freeze for a couple of hours, then transfer to fridge.
Shared on: Melt in your Mouth Mondays, Motivate Me Mondays, Monday Mania, Mealtime Monday, My Meatless Monday, Just Another Meatless Monday, Fat Tuesday, Slightly Indulgent Tuesdays, Gluten Free Wednesdays, Real Food Wednesdays, Whole Foods Wednesdays, Raw Foods Thursdays, Wellness Weekend, Tastetastic Thursday, Keep It Real Thursdays, Pennywise Platter Thursdays, Fight Back Friday, Fresh Bites Friday, Freaky Friday, Friday Food, Whole Foods Friday, Sweet Saturday,
Amber this looks DELICIOUS! I love the thickness of the crust. :) I've actually never tried something like this with cashew butter - cool idea! My go-to New York Cheesecake recipe (which'll appear in my next book!) uses soaked cashews + melted coconut oil. It sets up like a dream in the fridge. I think I'll make a cherry sauce for it next time! :)
ReplyDeleteThanks Amber! :-)
DeleteI've died and gone to heaven! YUM - you've outdone yourself my dear!
ReplyDeletexo
Megan
It's so fun to experiment with alternative ingredients. :-) Thanks sweet Megan.
DeleteSweetly Raw has some awesome recipes but I haven't made any from there before. This cheesecake looks awesome. I've seen people using cashews as the cream base for a lot of recipes but I haven't done that before either. One day, one day.
ReplyDeleteAgreed, I love that girl! You should definitely try cashews for cream based dishes. It's magical.
DeleteThis looks simply stunning Amber! I too miss cheesecake, but not the icky feeling in the stomach it left me with. I love raw cheesecake so much more because of that! I have never tried using unsoaked cashews before, only soaked. I'll have to give that a try!
ReplyDeleteI love the cherry topping. Simply gorgeous :)
Thanks sweet Gabby. :-)
DeleteWhat a perfect end-of-summer treat! I think I love raw cheesecakes better than baked ones! Thanks for sharing at Wellness Weekend this week, Amber! :)
ReplyDeleteMy pleasure, Ricki!
DeleteYummm, I love everything about this recipe! I must try making a nut crust for pies or cheese cake. The cherry topping sounds wonderful too!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much Ina.
DeleteThis looks so luscious! Such a beautiful treat!
ReplyDeleteI thought you might like this one, Lauren. Thanks!
DeleteAnother stunning and healthy dessert from you, Amber! You totally amaze me! Thanks for all you do in creating these awesome recipes. :-)
ReplyDeletexo,
Shirley
Thanks so much, Shirley. Right back atcha lady. :-)
DeleteYum! Looks sooooo good ;D
ReplyDeleteI have not done a cherry version - can't wait to make this ;)
xo
I do think you'll love it, Ella. Hope you're well.
Deleteoh my gosh Amber, that is absolutely GORGEOUS!!! wow. and what a cool fork! This is cheesecake factory worthy:)
ReplyDeleteThanks Caralyn. World Market sells these cool little forks. I LOVE that store.
DeleteAmazing friend! I am crazy for any cherry desserts and I too miss real cheesecake. This looks out of this world good my dear.
ReplyDeleteThank you Laura.
DeleteThat's fantastic. SO yummy and no cheese!
ReplyDeleteNo cheese, no problem. Love it every time.
DeleteI love this recipe!!!! My friend Diane makes a delicious raw cheese cake, but she's never shared her recipe. I can't wait to try yours! Thanks so much for sharing it at Raw Foods Thursdays! xoxo
ReplyDeleteThanks Heather. Glad to share on your awesome link party. Just love your theme.
DeleteThis looks amazing! I love cheesecake and would love to make it this week! :) We'd love to have you share any of your awesome recipes at our Gluten Free Fridays! : ) http://vegetarianmamma.com/glutenfree-fridays-recipe-party-4/
ReplyDeleteCindy
I will try to get over there. Thanks for the invitation.
DeleteOK- THIS I am making! I'll let you know how it goes! Thanks for linking up!
ReplyDeleteGreat, look forward to it. Thanks Jessica.
DeleteBeautiful! Great recipe. You might convince me to become vegan with that one! Thanks for linking up to Sweet Saturday!
ReplyDeleteHa ha. Thank you April.
DeleteThis is delicious and beautiful. Loved the crust and will be making this again and again. Thank you for sharing.
ReplyDeleteThanks for dropping a note! Glad to hear you enjoyed the recipe. Have your tried the second version with soaked cashews? It's my favorite of the two.
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