triple berry raw cheesecake – red, white, blue

I learned about raw cheesecakes in class last month. Wanting to make a red, white and blue dessert for the Fourth of July, I decided to try a layered raw cheesecake. and now I cannot believe I’ve not tried this before, given my love of cashews and how often I use them in raw and vegan recipes.

Cashews are high in fat, and make a rich creamy dessert. Every raw cheesecake recipe I find includes coconut oil, which is also high in fat. Cashews by themselves would make a cheesecake lower in saturated fat, so I took a big risk in making a simple cashew filling – crossing my fingers that it would set up.

After only three hours in the freezer, it was perfect. In class we also learned the difference between raw and living foods. While the cheesecake filling is raw, the crust includes tempeh – which is fermented and classified as living.

triple berry layered raw cheesecake

dairy, egg, oil and gluten free, vegan, raw

makes one 9-inch cheesecake

living tempeh cheesecake crust (adapted from my apricot bar filling)

8 ounces Medjool dates, pitted
3/4 cup pecans
1/2 cup hazelnuts
1/3 block tempeh (7 ounce package)
1-2 tablespoons water (as needed) 

Combine dates, pecans, hazelnuts and tempeh in food processor, blend until crumbly. Add water if needed to add moisture, help form a ball. Press into bottom / sides of 9 inch spring-form pan.

(cheesecake filling layers inspired by the Vegan Fusion Chef Training recipe)

bottom layer cheesecake

1.5 cups cashews, soaked several hours / overnight
juice of two lemons
1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
1/2 cup agave
1/2 cup blackberries
1/4 cup blueberries

Process cashews in food processor, adding lemon juice and acv, blend until creamy. Add agave and berries, blending until incorporated and mixture turns blue. Spread in an even layer over crust, place in freezer.

middle layer cheesecake

1 cup cashews, soaked several hours / overnight
juice of one lemon
1/2 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
1/3 cup agave 

Process cashews in food processor, adding lemon juice and acv, blend until creamy. Add agave, blending until incorporated. Spread in an even layer over blue layer, return to freezer.

top layer cheesecake

1.5 cups cashews, soaked several hours / overnight
juice of two lemons
1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
1/2 cup agave
3/4 cup raspberries

Process cashews in food processor, adding lemon juice and acv, blend until creamy. Add agave and berries, blending until incorporated and mixture turns red. Spread in an even layer over white layer. Return to freezer for several hours / overnight.

Red, white and blue – great for a Fourth of July get celebration. Our July Fourth get together will also include:

Marcona-sesame dusted tofu

kale chiffonade salad

spiced and grilled corn on the cob

patriotic fruit skewers

double rich chocolate protein cookies

and cheesecake

Have a safe and happy Fourth of July.

Join in a fun discussion this afternoon:

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Compensation was provided by Bacardi via Glam Media.  The opinions expressed herein are those of spabettie and are not indicative of the opinions or positions of Bacardi.

 

Tagged as: 4th of July party, Independence Day bash, oil free raw cheesecake, perfect patriotic party, raw cheesecake, raw cheesecake with no coconut oil