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This little raw cheesecake is not like the others... Can you tell? I didn't think so. What's the difference? It's cashew-free! I know there are plenty of you who can't do cashews, so here I'm sharing one of my favorite cashew-free raw cheesecake alternatives.
You know me and my cheesecakes, right? Actually, if it's your first time here, maybe you don't... so let me fill you in: I LOVE making raw cheesecakes. They're probably one of my favorite desserts to make, and something I whip upseveral times a week... (in fact, I make so many I can't keep up with sharing the recipes for them on the blog, so I've been selfishly keeping them all to myself or shelving them for special projects instead... This one was going to suffer the same fate, but after getting so many requests for it since sharing a picon Instagram I just had to post it here!). Almostevery time I share a cheesecake recipe I get comments and emails from people who can't do cashews, and feel a little sad about it because I want everyone to havetheir cake :)
Here's a quick video of how this cake comes together:
I use cashews for most of my cheesecakes because they are the easiest nut to work with -- they have a pretty neutral flavor and a wonderfully smooth, soft texture that mimics the taste and feel of a real cheesecake pretty darn well. But you can most definitely make a raw "cheesecake" out of other nuts as well, and in fact I frequently do (especially when I run out of cashews...).
In most cases it's not a straight substitution though, as each nut has its own flavor and texture, and the cake will behave quite differently if you just sub out cashews for other nuts. You often need to tweak the sweetness levels, add more coconut oil for binding, add a bit more flavor to offset any prominent tastes, look out for grittiness issues, etc. So as you can imagine, while I'm always happy to share substitution ideas on given recipes, it's not always so straightforward if I haven't tested it yet myself. Here, however, is a cheesecake recipe that's naturally cashew-free so you don't need to worry about any of those nagging details.
For this cake I used macadamia nuts. Ok, *cringe* don't roll your eyes at me... I know macadamia nuts aren't the cheapest, but they are great for this sort of dessert on several counts: they blend into an exceptional texture that mimics real cheesecake, they are naturally pale-colored, and have a fun flavor that pairs beautifullywith the strawberries and lime in this recipe. Is it worth the splurge? I definitely think so! Most especially if this is made for a special occasion. Now, if you're making it just for yourself and are concerned with the cost, I have a solution -- get yourself a tiny pan and make a smaller version of this. I do that all the time, which brings me to my next point...
If you're interested in downsizing or upsizing this cake, see the downloadable cake pan size guide below this post.
Other suggestions -- use a cupcake pan instead for smaller cheesecakes. I do that sometimes and it works a treat. Or tupperware containers -- just line them with parchment paper first so you can remove your cake once it's set and you're good to go.
Ok, back to this cake... Strawberries + Macadamia + Lime make an otherworldly dessert! The strawberries and lime cut and balance out the richness of the macadamia and make this cake light, sweet, tart, and very flavorful.
But, if you still want to go with cashews for any reason, you can always use this older raw strawberry cheesecake recipe instead. I have many other recipes that use alternative nuts and seeds for cheesecakes, so if for any reason cashews and macadamia don't work for you check out the nut-free section on the recipes page to find something more suitable.
A raw vegan strawberry cheesecake with tangy lime accent to underscore the richness of the macadamia base filling. Sure to be a crowd pleaser. Gluten-free.
- Author: Audrey @ Unconventional Baker
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 6" cake
- Category: Cake
- Method: Raw
- Cuisine: Dessert
Ingredients
*Make sure ALL ingredients are at room temp before starting -- important!
Crust:
- 1 cup raw almonds
- 3 soft medjool dates, pitted
- 1 tbsp maple syrup (or raw sweetener of choice, like agave)
- ½ tbsp coconut oil, liquefied
Filling:
- 1½ cups raw macadamia nuts, presoaked and strained*
- 9 tbsp maple syrup (or raw sweetener of choice, like agave)
- 5 tbsp coconut oil, liquified
- 7 tbsp lime juice
- zest of 1 lime (optional, for extra zing)
- 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
- ¼ tsp salt
- 1 cup fresh strawberries, hulled**
Extra Strawberry Layer:
- 1 cup more fresh strawberries, hulled
- 1 tbsp coconut oil, liquified
Optional Decorative Toppings:
- Use any toppings of choice, such as fresh strawberries or other berries. I used freeze-dried strawberries, dried lavender, dried rose petals, and jasmine flowers on mine.
Instructions
- Place all crust ingredients into a food processor and process into a fine sticky crumble. Transfer the mixture into your 6" springform pan and press down into a crust shape. Place in the fridge while working on the filling.
- Blend all filling ingredients into a smooth mixture (a power blender like a Vitamix works best, or just pause frequently to scrape down the sides and keep blending). Transfer most of this mixture, leaving about 1-2 tablespoon in the blender, into the pan over the crust. Set aside.
- Add extra strawberry layer ingredients into the blender and blend into a smooth mixture. Carefully pour this over the filling in the pan (I like to use a spoon and just plop the mixture bit by bit over the filling rather than pour it straight down so that it's distributed a bit more evenly). Use a skewer to swirl in the top layer into the bottom layer a little (optional). Top with any decorative toppings if using.
- Cover the pan (I like to cover it with paper towel then a sheet of plastic wrap and an elastic to help it not get too much of a frost bite, but it's optional) and place in the freezer for approximately 5-6 hours or preferably overnight for the cake to set. Remove the cake from the freezer and thaw out a little before serving (about 1 hour in the fridge or 15-20 minutes at room temp). Enjoy! (Freeze any leftovers).***
Notes
*To pre-soak the nuts: place in a glass bowl, cover with water, and leave to soak for 4 hours (or overnight in the fridge). Then strain and discard the water. For a quick pre-soak, cover with boiled water and soak for 15 mins, then strain and discard water. (Note: this technique doesn’t preserve the nutrition of the recipe as well as the traditional soaking technique above). Note: the purpose of soaking the nuts is to re-hydrate them and plump them up for blending into a smooth, cheesecake-like consistency. Proper soaking techniques also maximize nutrition and digestibility. If you’re interested in learning more about nut soaking and other dessert prep tips and tricks, I delve into these subjects in detail in my book Unconventional Treats.
**If using frozen strawberries instead, make sure they are thawed out to room temp)
***Storage note: raw cakes behave much like ice cream in consistency. They are firm when frozen, should be thawed out very lightly (about 10 mins typically) for serving, and then anything not served should be put back in the freezer. Otherwise, as the cake warms back up to room temperature it will turn into the consistency it was in your blender, and that's not a good outcome.
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