Vegan Cheesecake Recipe - NO Cashews! (2024)

The easy vegan cheesecake recipe that even non vegans LOVE… with no cashews, and no tofu required.

Vegan Cheesecake Recipe - NO Cashews! (1)

Vegan cheesecake with no cashews

This vegan cheesecake is so out-of-this-world delicious that I have yet to bring it to any party where both vegans and non vegans haven’t raved about it!

Even people with no interest whatsoever in healthy or vegan eating go crazy for this cheesecake every time I serve it.

When creating the recipe, my goal had been to make something that tasted so similar to classic New York cheesecake that—if you didn’t already know it was egg free and vegan—you would absolutely never be able to tell.

You may also like:Vegan Chocolate Chip Cookies

Vegan Cheesecake Recipe - NO Cashews! (3)

I’ve had way more than my fair share of bad vegan cheesecakes in my life, so I know exactly what comes to mind when people picture vegan cheesecake: chalky texture, unpleasant artificial aftertaste, disappointingly non-cheesy flavor, or lack of any flavor at all.

As a huge cheesecake lover, I have exorbitantly high standards for the perfect baked cheesecake, and those high standards were front and center when I set out to make a vegan version that tasted just as good as the original.

This dairy free cheesecake is so rich and creamy, no one ever believes it isn’t full of heavy cream and sugar!

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Vegan Cheesecake Recipe - NO Cashews! (5)

The best vegan baked cheesecake

When I finally perfected my cheesecake recipe, it was time to test it out on a group of non vegans.

I brought it to a party and quietly set it down with all of the other desserts, without mentioning to anyone that it was vegan.

While I’d hoped people would like it, I’d never in a million years expected the entire cheesecake to be completely gone in under an hour!

That’s when I knew the recipe was definitely a keeper.

*For chocolate cheesecake, try this veganBrownie Cheesecake Recipe

Vegan Cheesecake Recipe - NO Cashews! (7)

Cheesecake ingredients

You have multiple options for the cream cheese, yogurt, and sweetener in this recipe, so choose ingredients that fit your own dietary and taste preferences.

The recipe works with store-bought vegan cream cheese, such as Trader Joes vegan, Tofutti, Miyokos (soy free), or Kite Hill (soy and cashew free).

Or if you’re feeling adventurous, you can make your own homemade cream cheese with cashews or macadamia nuts.

And have fun decorating your cheesecake, with sliced strawberries, bananas, blueberries, chocolate chips or coconut milk chocolate truffles.

I topped the vegan cheesecake in the photos with toasted coconut and homemade vegan cream cheese frosting (4 oz cream cheese, 2 oz vegan butter, 1 cup powdered sugar, 1/2 tsp pure vanilla extract).

Use a prepared crust, cookie crust or graham cracker crust; or follow the optional crust recipe below. The entire cheesecake, from the filling to the crust, is completely vegan.

Leftover cream cheese? Make Vegan Cinnamon Rolls

Vegan Cheesecake Recipe - NO Cashews! (9)

How to make vegan cheesecake

Gather all of your ingredients, and preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.

Fill any baking pan about halfway up with water, and place the pan of water on your oven’s lower rack.

Bring the cream cheese to room temperature, then beat cheese cake ingredients in a blender or food processor until smooth. Be sure not to over beat, which could cause air bubbles to form that might later burst and cause cracking.

Smooth the filling on top of a prepared vegan crust, place on the oven’s middle rack, and bake 30 minutes. Do not open the oven door.

When time is up, keep the oven door closed but turn the heat off. Leave the cake in the closed oven for 5 additional minutes, then remove and let it cool 20 minutes or more before placing the still-underdone cheesecake in the refrigerator for a few hours to firm up.

These steps are important because letting the recipe cool gradually, instead of exposing it to harsh temperature changes, is another trick to prevent cracking.

The cheesecake will be considerably firmer in texture after 6-8 hours. Leftovers can be stored in the fridge for up to four days, or it can also be sliced and frozen.

Above, watch the vegan cheesecake recipe video

Vegan Cheesecake Recipe - NO Cashews! (10)

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The easy vegan cheesecake recipe that even non vegans love, with no cashews required.

Vegan Cheesecake Recipe - NO Cashews! (12)

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Print Recipe

Prep Time 6 hours hours 30 minutes minutes

Cook Time 30 minutes minutes

Total Time 7 hours hours

Yield 8 – 12 slices

5 from 24 votes

Ingredients

  • 24 oz cream cheese, such as TJ vegan or Tofutti OR vegan cream cheese
  • 2 cups plain yogurt, such as coconutmilk, almond, soy, or cashew yogurt
  • 2 1/2 tsp pure vanilla extract
  • 1 tbsp lemon juice
  • 4 tsp cornstarch (or here's a Keto Cheesecake Recipe)
  • 2/3 cup sugar or pure maple syrup, or xylitol for sugar free

Instructions

  • Optional Crust (or use your favorite crust): 1 1/2 cup raw nuts of choice, 1 cup pitted dates, 1/8 tsp salt. If dates are not soft, soak in boiling water until soft. Blend all ingredients in a food processor until fine crumbles form. Add water very slowly (1 tsp at a time) only if needed. Pour into a lined 9-inch springform pan, press down evenly, then set aside while you make the filling.

    Preheat oven to 350 F. Fill any baking pan about halfway with water and place it on the oven’s lower rack. Bring cream cheese to room temp. Beat all cheesecake ingredients with a blender or food processor just until smooth. (Do not overbeat, which would introduce air bubbles that might burst in the oven and cause cracking.) Smooth on top of the prepared crust. Place on the middle rack, above the rack that has the water pan. Bake 30 minutes, and do not open the oven door during this time. When the time is up, still do not open the oven even a crack, but turn off the heat. Leave in the closed oven for an additional 5 minutes. Then remove the cake—it will still look underdone—and let cool at least 20 minutes before placing the still-underdone cheesecake in the fridge. It’s important to let it cool before refrigerating, because you want it to cool gradually so it doesn’t crack. Chill at least 6 hours or overnight, during which time it firms up. Store leftovers covered in the fridge 3-4 days, or you can also freeze slices if desired.

    View Nutrition Facts

Notes

Also try these popular Vegan Brownies.

Have you made this recipe?

Tag @chocolatecoveredkatie on Instagram

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Or this vanilla Vegan Cake

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Vegan Cheesecake Recipe - NO Cashews! (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 is a dairy free substitute for cream cheese in cheesecake? ›

Silken tofu: Silken tofu can be used as a vegan alternative to cream cheese. It has a creamy texture and neutral flavor, making it a great option for a cheesecake filling. Ricotta cheese: Ricotta cheese can be used in place of cream cheese for a lighter and less tangy cheesecake.

Can you free cheesecake? ›

Yes, cheesecake can also be frozen, which means you can impress your guests but in a low-stress way. It also means that cheesecake leftovers can be frozen, so all that work you did doesn't go to waste. Read on for everything you need to know about freezing cheesecake.

What not to do when making cheesecake? ›

16 Mistakes You're Making With Homemade Cheesecake
  1. Working with cold ingredients. Hobo_018/Getty Images. ...
  2. Using whipped cream cheese. ...
  3. Using low-fat cream cheese. ...
  4. Undermixing your cheesecake. ...
  5. Not diversifying your cheeses. ...
  6. Not being careful with your eggs. ...
  7. Only making plain cheesecake. ...
  8. Baking in anything but a springform pan.
May 29, 2023

What is Daiya cheesecake made from? ›

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 Philadelphia cream cheese vegan? ›

Philadelphia may be the most popular and well-known brand that offers vegan cream cheese, but it's far from alone. Before the original pioneers of cream cheese jumped on the bandwagon with their own plant-based version, vegan brands were already offering a wide variety of cream cheese options.

What is a vegan substitute for cream cheese? ›

Unsweetened Plain Yogurt (vegan)

It's great for making dips and spreads, but it's also a great substitute for cream cheese when you want to make a frosting.

Is Cool Whip dairy free? ›

From its introduction, Cool Whip was labeled and advertised as non-dairy, but as of 2018 it contains skimmed milk and sodium caseinate, a milk derivative. Even before the skimmed milk was introduced, Cool Whip was classified in Jewish dietary traditions as dairy because of the sodium caseinate.

When should you not eat cheesecake? ›

Eggs and milk have high protein and moisture content, and they're the primary ingredients in cheesecake, so when cheesecake is left at room temperature, conditions are ripe for bacteria to multiply. According to the USDA's Food Keeper App, cheesecake should be consumed within 5 to 7 days of refrigeration.

Do you get free cheesecake if it's your birthday? ›

Cheesecake Rewards™ members receive access to reservations, a complimentary slice of cheesecake for their birthday, plus surprise and delight rewards throughout the year.

Can you eat Philadelphia no-bake cheesecake filling? ›

Yes, Philadelphia makes a 24-ounce tub of pre-made cheesecake filling that you can use directly from the fridge—no baking necessary. The tub has everything you want from the sugary, sweet, cream cheese filling of a cheesecake, and it's ready to serve as-is.

What does adding an extra egg to cheesecake do? ›

Adding richness and a smooth texture, the proteins in the eggs set up during the gentle baking process, solidifying the dense network of dairy and sugar into a sliceable whole. Too many eggs will create a cracked and sunken cheesecake with an overly firm texture. Too few eggs and the cheesecake won't set well.

Why does cheesecake have to sit overnight? ›

Many recipes say to let the cheesecake sit in the turned-off oven with the door cracked for about an hour, then let it cool completely on the counter. It also needs to spend four hours, or ideally overnight, in the fridge before slicing and eating to ensure the perfect velvety smooth texture. Speaking of slicing…

What happens if you over mix cheesecake batter? ›

Avoid Overmixing: Unlike other cakes, where beating air into the batter is key, overmixed cheesecake can rise, fall and then crack from that excess air. Keeping ingredients (cheese, eggs, liquids and flavorings) at room temperature can help.

What is the main ingredient in vegan 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 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.

What is inside vegan cheese? ›

The ingredients used in vegan cheese vary depending on the type of cheese being made and the desired texture and flavor. The most commonly used ingredients include plant-based milk, nutritional yeast, agar agar, tapioca starch, coconut oil, cashews, and chickpea flour.

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