Baked Vegan Chocolate Cheesecake
User Reviews
5
30 reviews
Excellent
-
Prep Time
45 mins
-
Cook Time
2 hrs 15 mins
-
Cooling Time
4 hrs 30 mins
-
Total Time
6 hrs 30 mins
-
Servings
10
-
Calories
501 kcal
-
Course
Dessert, Baked Goods
Baked Vegan Chocolate Cheesecake
Report
This Baked Vegan Chocolate Cheesecake has a nutty, cocoa-flavored crust paired with a rich and creamy chocolate filling made from blended cashews, coconut cream, vegan cream cheese, and dark chocolate. The use of lemon juice and espresso powder adds depth and brightness to the dense, smooth texture, yielding a decadent dessert without dairy ingredients. A cranberry-raspberry compote provides a tart contrast for serving.
Description
The cheesecake crust combines toasted hazelnuts and almond flour with cocoa powder, maple syrup, and melted coconut oil for a firm yet tender base. The filling, made by blending soaked cashews, solid coconut cream, vegan cream cheese, maple syrup, melted dark chocolate, lemon juice, arrowroot powder, vanilla extract, espresso powder, and salt, results in a luscious and dense chocolate layer when baked at 350°F. The arrowroot helps to set the cheesecake.
A tart cranberry-raspberry compote enhances the dessert by balancing the rich chocolate with fruity acidity, making it suitable for festive occasions or when serving vegan-friendly desserts.
For best results, use solid coconut cream chilled from full-fat coconut milk to achieve the proper texture in the filling. If vegan cream cheese is unavailable, it can be replaced with increased quantities of cashews and coconut cream as indicated in the notes. This cheesecake is baked in a 7-inch springform pan lined with parchment for easy removal.
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Ingredients
Crust
- 1/2 cup hazelnut ~70g, lightly toasted
- 2/3 cup almond flour ~75g, or almond meal
- sea salt a pinch
- 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder ~20g
- 1 1/2 tablespoons pure maple syrup ~22.5 mL
- 1 1/2 tablespoons refined coconut oil ~22.5 mL, melted
CHEESECAKE FILLING
- 1 1/4 cups cashew raw, ~175g, soaked in water for 8 hours or overnight
- 1/2 cup coconut cream solidified, ~120g
- 8 ounces vegan cream cheese softened, 227g, Tofutti brand recommended
- 1/2 cup pure maple syrup ~120 mL
- 7 ounces dark chocolate 60-70%, 200g, melted
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice freshly squeezed
- 2 tablespoons arrowroot powder ~15g, or cornstarch
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract pure
- 1 teaspoon ground espresso powder or instant coffee powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt fine sea salt
Cranberry-Raspberry Compote
- 3/4 cup cranberries ~95g, fresh or frozen and defrosted
- 3/4 cup raspberries ~85g, fresh or frozen and defrosted
- 1/3 cup organic cane sugar ~64g
- 2 tablespoons orange juice freshly squeezed
- *If it’s not cranberry season just substitute with more raspberries.
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (176°C).
- Line a 7-inch springform pan with parchment paper. Lightly grease the sides with refined coconut oil or another neutral oil. If you are using a different sized springform pan, be sure to read the “how to convert cake pan volume” section above.
- Make the Crust: To toast the hazelnuts, place them on a baking sheet in a single layer. Toast in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes or until the skins are lightly blistered and browned. Wrap the warm hazelnuts in a clean, thin dish towel and cover for 1 minute to steam. Then rub the wrapped nuts vigorously to loosen the skins (not all of the skins will come off). Place the toasted hazelnuts in a food processor and pulse until they are finely chopped. Add the almond flour, sea salt and cocoa powder and blend until the mixture is mostly pulverized. With the motor running, pour in the maple syrup and melted coconut oil, scraping down the sides with a rubber spatula as needed. Once you have a slightly sticky texture that you can press together, press it evenly and firmly along the bottom of the prepared pan.
- Bake the crust in the preheated oven for 15 minutes in order to firm it up. Set aside.
- While the crust is baking, prepare the filling. Wipe out the food processor bowl and add the soaked cashews and solid coconut cream. Blend until the mixture resembles ricotta cheese. Add the remaining Cheesecake Filling ingredients and blend until smooth and creamy, scraping down the sides as needed. It will take a few minutes for the cashews to get fully pulverized. Pour the cheesecake filling over the baked crust.
- Wrap the bottom of the springform pan in two layers of aluminum foil. Place the wrapped pan in a roasting pan or shallow baking pan large enough to hold the springform pan. Then pour hot water around the bottom of the pan, taking care to not get any water in the cheesecake batter. This is a water bath and it will prevent the cheesecake from cracking in the middle.
- Bake the cheesecake in the water bath in the preheated oven for 50-55 minutes or until it looks a bit dry on the edges and jiggly but not wiggly in the middle. Turn off the oven and leave the cheesecake in the oven for 30-60 minutes or until it’s come down to room temperature. Allow to cool slightly and then refrigerate the cheesecake for at least 4 hours before serving. When ready to serve, top with the Cranberry-Raspberry Compote.
- Prepare the Cranberry-Raspberry Compote (it can be prepared in advance and stored in the refrigerator). Place the raspberries, cranberries, sugar, and orange juice in a saucepan, and cook on medium-low heat for about 10-15 minutes, gently smashing down the berries as the mixture cooks. Allow the mixture to simmer for an additional 10 minutes until thick and jammy.
Notes
- To obtain solid coconut cream, refrigerate a full-fat coconut milk can for over 24 hours and scoop the firm layer.
- If vegan cream cheese is unavailable, substitute it by increasing raw cashews to 2 cups and coconut cream to 1 cup.
- Toast hazelnuts to enhance flavor before preparing the crust.
Nutrition Information
Show Details
Calories
501kcal
(25%)
Carbohydrates
42g
(14%)
Protein
9g
(18%)
Fat
36g
(55%)
Saturated Fat
15g
(75%)
Polyunsaturated Fat
2g
(12%)
Monounsaturated Fat
10g
(50%)
Trans Fat
1g
(50%)
Cholesterol
1mg
(0%)
Sodium
158mg
(7%)
Potassium
430mg
(9%)
Fiber
8g
(32%)
Sugar
24g
(48%)
Vitamin A
23IU
(0%)
Vitamin C
7mg
(8%)
Calcium
82mg
(8%)
Iron
5mg
(28%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 10Serving
Amount Per Serving
Calories 501 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 501kcal | 25% |
| Carbohydrates | 42g | 14% |
| Protein | 9g | 18% |
| Fat | 36g | 55% |
| Saturated Fat | 15g | 75% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 2g | 12% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 10g | 50% |
| Trans Fat | 1g | 50% |
| Cholesterol | 1mg | 0% |
| Sodium | 158mg | 7% |
| Potassium | 430mg | 9% |
| Fiber | 8g | 32% |
| Sugar | 24g | 48% |
| Vitamin A | 23IU | 0% |
| Vitamin C | 7mg | 8% |
| Calcium | 82mg | 8% |
| Iron | 5mg | 28% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
Genuine Reviews
User Reviews
Overall Rating
5
30 reviews
Excellent
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