Last month my dairy-intolerant cousin and I were lamenting over how much we miss cheesecake. I’m sure we are biased, but our family’s recipe is pretty much the best. Ever.
I grew up eating it at nearly every holiday and many birthdays too. Chocolate cake is fine, but I preferred a birthday cheesecake. Nowadays, there are very few foods that I miss from my pre-lactose-free-life, but cheesecake is definitely one of them.
So I made it a personal mission to attempt a vegan version.
Admittedly, it’s nothing like a “real” cheesecake, but when it comes to veganifying traditional meals, I’ve found capturing the essence is better than trying to replicate the real deal. I mean, seriously, without actual cheese, how could anyone expect a dairy-free dish to hold up next to it’s counterpart.
This is my no-bake vegan version of the famous dessert.
Vegan No-Bake Cheesecake (v, gf – makes 2 individual 10 oz. ramekins)
Ingredients:
- 7 oz. (1/2 a normal package) soft tofu, drained only (not pressed)
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 tbsp maple syrup
- 4 tbsp vegan cream cheese (I used Follow Your Heart’s vegan cream cheese alternative)
- 6 strawberries, sliced
- dried fruit/nut crust (I used my tropical fruit powerball recipe)
Directions:
I made the crust using this recipe/method. Then I pressed the dried fruit/nut mix into the bottom of the individual ramekins.
Alternatively, you could go the lazy route and just smash a few warmed Larabars into the bottom.
The “crust” cooled and set in the fridge while I prepped the inside part of the cheesecake.
I think FYH’s vegan gourmet cream cheese alternative is a great vegan cream cheese. It’s thick and fatty and has a very rich and creamy flavor. It’s delicious. It also lacks the weird salty aftertaste that I’ve found other non-dairy versions to have (ahem, Tofutti).
I pulsed the cream cheese, tofu, vanilla, and maple syrup in a magic bullet until it was thick and smooth.
Soooo creamy!
Then I poured the cheesecake part onto the chilled crust.
Smoothed it out.
Then added the sliced strawberries on top.
Taste aside, how cute does it look?!?
Then I returned the ramekins to the fridge to set (at least 20 minutes).
After dinner, Kyle and I split one while watching last week’s episode of True Blood.
It was great. Definite cream cheese flavor with sweet tones. The strawberry made it fresh and summery and the crust definitely balanced out the rich creaminess. Kyle and I both enjoyed every bite. And splitting one means there’s still one more left for tonight :)
Elise – Not sure what their schedule is these days, but my boyfriend and I went to Madeleine Bistro in Tarzana a few weeks ago and had the best cheesecake – vegan or non-vegan – that I’ve EVER had. Seriously, this thing was crazy good. And of course, totally vegan 😉 You should make the trip if you get the chance…totally worth it!!
No words… other than, must. try.
Amazing! I love cheesecakes, but the vegan ones are so hard to find at caffes. Making my own is a perfect solution 🙂
that looks awesome!
and just saw your carlsbad weekend… i would have loved to meet up with you.
Scott’s jewish so we’ve been to one or two jewish weddings in our day 🙂
And the Beach House. NOT a good restaurant usually…I have actually walked out! of that place…so the fact that it was edible AND it was vegan…mazel tov 🙂
Shoot, no Sara Lee? You mean better than Sara Lee? I think so 🙂
Even if it didn’t taste like the real thing, it sure did look good!
And I would NOT be upset about not being Sara Lee. You’ve surpassed that.
I know how much it sucks… Before I found out the causes behind my G.I. issues I used to be Miss Cheesecake (it was my favorite dessert and I think I probably tried and baked every variation there is out there). I tried making a vegan version once, but it turned out so bad I gave up on ever having a slice again 🙁 , sigh… Oh the woes of lactose intolerence, veganism, and unhappy bellies.
Well, hopefully one day someone will come up with a way to make something just like the real kind! (Maybe I’ll give your version a try, it does look pretty good!)
Yum! Love your blog, so cute, just found you on Bliss Connect! Have a great day:)
STOP. make these now:
http://wholefamilyfare.blogspot.com/2011/01/raw-cashew-cheesecake.html
http://wholefamilyfare.blogspot.com/2011/06/raw-berry-pie-with-coconut-and-almond.html
…I made the raw berry pie and it was divine. my omni friends said it tasted just like everything they like about cheesecake. i know people say this all the time but seriously MAKE THIS NOW for your own sake 🙂
Way to make it work!! Baking/preparing an actual cheesecake is such a laborious task…I might have to give this recipe a shot!
those are TOO CUTE! I tried a vegan cheesecake for my bf’s bday last year and I agree–it’s not quite the same but it’s tasty! Love these mini ones!
That looks absolutely delicious! I want one.
Yum! Looks delish! 🙂 I bet it would be awesome with some kind of a chocolately crust!
mmm…I want this! I know my denial catches up to me when I even have a taste of the real kind, so such a great alternative.
Wow! Cool recipe!! I love cheesecake!!!
Starbucks blueberry cheesecake used to be one of my fave treats too, pre-vegan/healthy living. You should try adding a touch of nooch and a little salt to the cheesy bit to give it an edge! x
Yup, bookmarked this recipe. Perfect for my belly, perfect for white-sugar-free july! Now I just need to track down the FYH’s cream cheese, all I can ever find is toffuti and it sucks.
oh my gosh, i will so be trying this asap. cheesecake is one of my favorite all time foods [if you can call it a ‘food’, lol].
yum!
Yum! I love cheesecake so much, but I really need a healthier option. These look so yummy 🙂
This post just earned a star in my reader! Must make.
YUM! you are much better than Sara Lee 🙂
This looks amazing!! Is there anything that could be used to substitute the cream cheese? I haven’t been able to find a vegan one in my area.. 🙁
Okay, I don’t even like cream cheese/cheesecake (and I can have dairy) but this post makes me want to eat this asap! It looks so fresh and cool and delicious. I bet my boyfriend would love it. Definitely buying the ingredients for this tomorrow! 😀
ok, its officially at the top of my list. now i just have to get myself to tarzana. maybe after this weekend of 405 craziness…
yeah…i think its way better than sara lee (but ive never had sara lee so i wont judge prematurely) 🙂
ugh. i feel you. i was a cheesecake FIEND. i dont think anything will ever be like the real dairy version…sad but true…
you are hilarious. thanks for the links 🙂
agreed. nixing the oven makes them much more simple.
yes! or even a cocoa cheesecake flavored filling…mmmm
hmmm…intriguing idea. are you saying this from experience or is it a hunch. im not sure i wanna be the first to try it, but if you can give me the green light from experience im all over it 🙂
tofutti does suck
soaked cashews drained then pureed in a food processor would be a perfect sub
Gorgeous girlie! Great idea to use the fruit/nut mix for a crust…sounds delicious!