We all like to try something different and for those of you that have never ventured into raw cuisine, this is a nice place to start. This recipe is easy to make, so easy that you only need a decent food processor and a spring form pan. In fact, you don’t even need that, a regular glass pie baking tray will work too. There are a number of variations on this recipe, but this is the most basic. Keep in mind that this recipe uses coconut oil to help it set, however, this will only work best in cooler climates. To make this cheesecake set and cut nicely in warmer climates, you can adjust this recipe to add either 1/3 cup of cacao butter or a thickening agent like carrageenan (Irish moss) which is available in raw form or a powder in larger health food stores. Enjoy!

Ingredients

Easy Raw Vegan Cheesecake

• 2 cups walnuts
• 1 cup fresh dates
• ½ cup dried coconut flakes
• ¼ cup ginger, grated
• 1 tsp cardamon powder
• 2 cups cashews (soaked for 6 hours and drained)
• 2 x whole lemons (remove skin and seeds)
• ¾ cup agave syrup
• ¾ cup coconut oil
•  ¼ cup of cacao butter (if in a warmer climate) or 2 tsp. carrageenan powder
• 1 x banana
• ½ tsp. vanilla essence
• 1 punnet strawberries
• 1 tsp size piece of raw beetroot
• 2 tsp. coconut syrup or honey
• Superfood Concentrate (Univera Xtra)

Method

Make everything with a food processor.

Base:

• 2 cups of Walnuts
• 1 cup fresh dates (or as many as needed to create biscuit crumb texture)
• 1/2 grated coconut flakes
• 1/4 cup grated ginger
• 1 tsp. Cardamom powder (optional)

Process until it looks like biscuit crumbs. Press into 20 cm spring form pan .

Step 1: Process dry ingredients for base

Step 2: Mix just enough to make breadcrumb texture

Step 3: Press into a springform pan or pie baking tray

Step 4: Press carefully so it is even all around. Set aside.

Filling:

Add 2 cups of soaked cashews, 2 whole lemons (remove skin and seeds), agave syrup, coconut oil, cacao butter, beetroot, banana, and Vanilla essence into a blender.

Process or blend until smooth. Pour into the base. Set in fridge for 2 hours.

Step 5: Add all ingredients for “cheese” filling

Step 6: Process until completely smooth. About 5 minutes. Set aside in fridge for at least 1 hour

Topping:

• Sliced strawberries, mango or passionfruit
• Coconut or agave syrup
• Coconut oil
• Superfood concentrate like Univera Xtra

Drizzle a sweet syrup, like coconut syrup, agave nectar or honey over the top. Decorate the top with sliced strawberry or some other fruit.

Step 7: Process fresh strawberries with coconut oil and sweetener

Step 8: Add some superfood concentrate like Univera Xtra for extra nutrition

Step 9: Pour on cheesecake

Again set this aside in the fridge and serve when it has firmed up.

Enjoy the holidays!

– Paul, the food yogi