7-Ingredient Vegan Cheesecakes (2024)

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7-Ingredient Vegan Cheesecakes (1)

Friends, few times have I been more excited to share a recipe with you as I am today.

This recipe has been taste-tested and approved by 6 of my closest foodie friends and heartily approved. And they weren’t even vegan! I even like these better than real cheesecakes, which I can no longer stomach with my dairy intolerance. Crisis, averted.

7-Ingredient Vegan Cheesecakes (2)

These 7 ingredient beauties begin with a 2-ingredient crust! Dates and raw walnuts (or almonds) – that’s all you need. Whirl and set aside.

7-Ingredient Vegan Cheesecakes (3)

Next up, the 5-ingredient filling: Soaked cashews, coconut milk, coconut oil, lemon juice and agave nectar. So good, so creamy, so insanely delicious you’ll want to drink it with a straw.

7-Ingredient Vegan Cheesecakes (4)

This is where the fun begins: you get to pick your own flavor!

Of course, you could leave them as is. They’re extremely delicious plain. But, to perk them up a bit I created three varieties: blueberry, bourbon caramel, and peanut butter. My favorite being peanut butter (as if you expected anything less).

7-Ingredient Vegan Cheesecakes (5)

Instead of baking these cheesecakes you simply pop them in the freezer to set. To make removing them from the pan a breeze, I simply cut out strips of parchment paper and made little tabs so I could just pop them right out. Worked like a charm! If you don’t have parchment, just slide a butter knife along the sides to pop them out. Easy, simple removal either way (no special equipment or springform pans required).

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7-Ingredient Vegan Cheesecakes (7)

If you’ve ever been suspicious of cashew-based vegan desserts, don’t be!I can wholeheartedly attest that these are some of the best desserts I’ve ever had! No seriously.I can’t even begin to tell you how insanely delicious these guys are – and I’m a cheesecake snob!

7-Ingredient Vegan Cheesecakes (8)

They’re:

Creamy
Perfectly sweet
Slightly tart
Luscious
Sexy
Smooth
Insanely satisfying
& Perfect topped with coconut whipped cream

OK, this is beginning to sound like a Victoria’s Secret ad. You catch my drift. Just make, these, cheesecakes!

7-Ingredient Vegan Cheesecakes (9)
7-Ingredient Vegan Cheesecakes (10)
7-Ingredient Vegan Cheesecakes (11)
7-Ingredient Vegan Cheesecakes (12)

7-Ingredient Vegan Cheesecakes

7-ingredient vegan, gluten-free cheesecakes that are creamy, slightly tart, perfectly sweet, and 100% irresistible. Better than real cheesecake and the perfect healthy, simple dessert to feed a crowd (or just you).

Author Minimalist Baker

Prep Time 1 hour hour 30 minutes minutes

Total Time 1 hour hour 30 minutes minutes

Servings 12 (mini cheesecakes)

Course Dessert

Cuisine Gluten-Free, Vegan

Freezer Friendly 1-2 Weeks

Does it keep? 2-3 Days

Ingredients

US CustomaryMetric

CRUST

  • 1 cup packed pitted dates*
  • 1 cup raw walnuts

FILLING

  • 1 1/2 cups raw cashews (quick-soaked*)
  • 1 large lemon (juiced // 1 lemon yields ~scant 1/4 cup or 50 ml)
  • 1/3 cup coconut oil (melted)
  • 2/3 scant cup full-fat coconut milk (see instructions for note)
  • 1/2 cup agave nectar or maple syrup (or honey if not vegan)

FLAVOR ADD-INS optional

  • 2 Tbsp salted natural peanut butter
  • 1/4 cup wild blueberries (fresh or frozen)
  • 3 Tbsp bourbon caramel sauce

Instructions

  • Add dates to a food processor and blend until small bits remain and it forms into a ball. Remove and set aside.

  • Next add nuts and process into a meal. Then add dates back in and blend until a loose dough forms – it should stick together when you squeeze a bit between your fingers. If it’s too dry, add a few more dates through the spout while processing. If too wet, add more almond or walnut meal. Optional: add a pinch of salt to taste.

  • Lightly grease a standard, 12 slot muffin tin (as original recipe is written // adjust if altering batch size). To make removing the cheesecakes easier, cut strips of parchment paper and lay them in the slots. This creates little tabs that makes removing them easier to pop out once frozen.

  • Next scoop in heaping 1 Tbsp amounts of crust and press with fingers. To pack it down, use a small glass or the back of a spoon to compact it and really press it down. I found the bottom of a glass works well. If it sticks, separate the crust and the glass with a small piece of parchment. Set in freezer to firm up.

  • Add all filling ingredients to a blender and mix until very smooth. For the coconut milk, I like to scoop the “cream” off the top because it provides a richer texture. But if yours is already all mixed together, just add it in as is.

  • You don’t need a Vitamix for this recipe, just a quality blender. I mixed mine for 1 minute, then “liquified” or “pureed” it until silky smooth. If it won’t come together, add a touch more lemon juice or agave or a splash more coconut milk liquid as the liquid should help it blend better.

  • Taste and adjust seasonings as needed. If adding peanut butter, add to the blender and mix until thoroughly combined. If flavoring with blueberry or caramel, wait and swirl on top of plain cheesecakes (optional).

  • Divide filling evenly among the muffin tins. Tap a few times to release any air bubbles, then cover with plastic wrap and freeze until hard – about 4-6 hours.

  • Once set, remove by tugging on the tabs or loosening them with a butter knife. They should pop right out. Our favorite way to devour these was with a little more caramel and a touch of coconut whipped cream. But they’re perfect as is! Keep in the freezer for up to 1-2 weeks.

  • Optional: You can set them out for 10 minutes before serving to soften, but I liked them frozen as well.

Video

Notes

*If your dates are not sticky and moist, you can soak them in warm water for 10 minutes then drain. But be sure to drain thoroughly and pat dry to prevent the crust from getting soggy.
*To quick-soak cashews, pour boiling hot water over the cashews, soak for 30 minutes uncovered, then drain and use as instructed.
*Adapted from Sidesaddle Kitchen (Absolutely smitten with her.)
*Nutrition information is a rough estimate calculated without toppings or added flavors.
*Prep time does not include freezing (4-6 hours)

Nutrition (1 of 12 servings)

Serving: 1 mini cheesecakes Calories: 324 Carbohydrates: 29 g Protein: 6 g Fat: 22 g Saturated Fat: 8.7 g Trans Fat: 0 g Cholesterol: 0 mg Sodium: 10 mg Fiber: 2.6 g Sugar: 21 g

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Reader Interactions

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All commentsI made thisQuestions

  1. Shae says

    Can you please tell me if I push the dates in the cup measurement or put in losely? 🙏🏼

    Reply

    • 7-Ingredient Vegan Cheesecakes (19)Support @ Minimalist Baker says

      Hi Shae, push them in the cup measurement!

      Reply

  2. Mel says

    If you are looking for an amazing and delicious substitute to a traditional dairy containing cheesecake do not look further than this recipe. I strongly suggest trying it. I am not a vegan but find this recipe so delicious and satisfying. I usually add some lemon zest and vanilla extract to the filling also. Thank you for this recipe. It has come in handy on many occasions when I have needed to make something special for family members who are vegan.

    Reply

    • 7-Ingredient Vegan Cheesecakes (20)Support @ Minimalist Baker says

      We’re so glad you enjoy this recipe, Mel. Thank you for the lovely review and for sharing your additions! xoxo

      Reply

  3. Mei says

    I absolutely love this recipe!! Made it with passion fruit and blueberries (whole not even a sauce) and now I’m going to make it with lemon. So easy to whip up and guilt free as it’s so nutrients dense. With the base I used whatever nuts I had I think it was Brazil nuts with almond meal. This time I’m going to try walnuts and hazelnut meal.

    Thank you! Delicious!

    Reply

    • 7-Ingredient Vegan Cheesecakes (21)Support @ Minimalist Baker says

      We’re so glad you enjoy the recipe, Mei! Thank you for the lovely review and for sharing your delicious modifications! xo

      Reply

  4. Ava says

    Hi! I’m not a vegan but do love nutrient dense delicious desserts, if I don’t have coconut milk can I sub regular whole milk? Or a different plant based milk?

    Reply

    • 7-Ingredient Vegan Cheesecakes (22)Support @ Minimalist Baker says

      Hi Ava, coconut milk is much thicker than other milks, so we can’t guarantee it will turn out the same. It might not set properly!

      Reply

  5. Christine Hannay says

    I made a batch of these, I didn’t have coconut oil so I just subbed coconut cream in place of the coconut milk and oil. They’re delicious.
    My 14 year old has ARFID and loves them. We have some difficulties finding sources of healthy fats that will eat, as most of their safe foods are plain raw vegetables or fruits like cucumber and watermelon.
    They like to take one of these in the morning on their way to the bus stop, and it’s a relief knowing they’re eating something satiating. Thank you!

    Reply

    • 7-Ingredient Vegan Cheesecakes (23)Support @ Minimalist Baker says

      We’re so glad the recipe has been helpful, Christine. Thank you for sharing! xo

      Reply

Older Comments

7-Ingredient Vegan Cheesecakes (2024)

FAQs

What is vegan cheesecake made of? ›

These 7 ingredient beauties begin with a 2-ingredient crust! Dates and raw walnuts (or almonds) – that's all you need. Whirl and set aside. Next up, the 5-ingredient filling: Soaked cashews, coconut milk, coconut oil, lemon juice and agave nectar.

What do eggs do in cheesecake? ›

Eggs: Three whole eggs hold the cheesecake together. I also add an extra yolk, which enhances the cake's velvety texture. (Whites tend to lighten the cake, which is actually fine — if you don't feel like separating that fourth egg and don't mind some extra airiness in the texture, just add in the whole egg.)

What are the ingredients in Daiya cheesecake? ›

Filling (Filtered Water, Creamed Coconut, Cane Sugar, Coconut Oil, Tapioca Flour, Expeller Pressed Safflower Oil, Potato Starch, Pea Protein, Vanilla Extract, Sea Salt, Xanthan Gum, Sodium Alginate, Lactic Acid, Tricalcium Phosphate, Natural Flavors, Cultured Sugar, Enzyme), Gluten-free Crust (Tapioca Flour, Cane Sugar ...

Is cheesecake vegetarian? ›

No, cheesecake is not usually vegan because it's made with dairy and often eggs. My recipe is 100% vegan and dairy free, of course!

What do vegans use instead of cream cheese? ›

Best Healthy Substitutes For Cream Cheese (Vegan)
  • Vegan Cashew Cream Cheese.
  • Hummus.
  • Tofu Sour Cream.
  • Cashew Sour Cream.
  • Vegan Tofu Ricotta Cheese.
  • Avocado.
  • Strawberry Chia Jam (Fruit Spread)
  • Unsweetened Plain Yogurt (vegan)
Mar 11, 2021

What not to do when making cheesecake? ›

Cold ingredients are a big no-no when it comes to cheesecake. If your ingredients are cold you will have to mix them longer which will whip too much air into your batter. If the cake has too much air, it will rise too much in the oven and then the middle will sink when cooling. Nobody wants a sad, sunken cheesecake.

What happens if you don't add egg to cheesecake? ›

The cake will not set properly if there is no egg in the preparation, and you will just have a cream cheese pudding. As delicious as cream cheese pudding sounds, it's actually more like buttercream.

What can replace eggs in cheesecake? ›

Greek yogurt works well as a cheesecake thickener. It adds flavor and gives the cheesecake a creamy texture. It can be substituted for eggs in any cheesecake recipe.

What are three dominant ingredients in vegan cheese? ›

Common Ingredients in Dairy Free Cheese
  • Soy Based. Soy is unsurprisingly one of the most common bases for vegan cheeses—and is popular in many plant-based animal-product substitute. ...
  • Coconut. ...
  • Flour. ...
  • Tree Seeds and Nuts. ...
  • A Safer Alternative.
Apr 29, 2020

What is Japanese cheesecake made of? ›

The cake is made with cream cheese, butter, sugar, and eggs. Similar to chiffon cake or soufflé, Japanese cheesecake has a fluffy texture produced by whipping egg white and egg yolk separately. It is traditionally made in a bain-marie.

Is Daiya actually vegan? ›

In the last decade, Daiya has further revolutionized the vegan cheese category with the release of new formulations made with oats, chickpeas, and coconut cream; new formats such as slices and blocks; and new cheese styles such as feta, halloumi, and asiago.

Which cheese is always vegetarian? ›

Cheeses That Don't Use Rennet

"Many softer styles of cheese like mozzarella, paneer, ricotta, and cream cheese use whey or another type of acid as their coagulant instead of rennet, so they will be safe for vegetarians," says Birnbaum.

Is Jell O No Bake cheesecake vegetarian? ›

This product has 6 ingredients that may not be vegetarian.

Why cheese was not considered as vegetarian food? ›

- Ruminant animal's stomach contains an enzyme known as rennet enzymes. This enzyme helps the milk to coagulate and separates into curd and whey. - This is the reason cheese was not considered vegetarian food a long time back.

What makes vegan cheese cheese? ›

Vegan cheese is usually made from soy, nuts, vegetable oils, and various other natural ingredients like peas or arrowroot. Vegan cheese is seen as a healthier alternative to cheese by some, and may reduce your risk of heart disease due to its lower content of fat.

What is vegan cream cheese made from? ›

Soak raw cashews in hot water for an hour.

As long as you have a bit more than an hour of lead time you can make it work. So soak them for an hour in the boiling hot water and then drain them and add them to a blender with lemon juice, coconut cream, distilled white vinegar, salt and onion powder. Blend until smooth.

Is vegan cheese the same as dairy cheese? ›

Vegan cheese is a category of non-dairy, plant-based cheese analogues. Vegan cheeses range from soft fresh cheeses to aged and cultured hard grateable cheeses like plant-based Parmesan. The defining characteristic of vegan cheese is the exclusion of all animal products.

What kind of vegan cheese does cheesecake Factory use? ›

Finding vegan options at The Cheesecake Factory is easier than ever—the chain has added Field Roast Chao cheese and Best Foods vegan mayo to its menu at locations nationwide. Now, you can enjoy an animal-free burger topped with dairy-free cheese and egg-free mayo at this popular restaurant.

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