Most vegan cheesecake recipes out there call for soaking cashews overnight and whirling them in a food processor to get that sought-after creamy texture. But you can skip that time-consuming step with a prepared plant-based spread.
“I love our plant-based plain coconut cream cheese-style spread,” says Michelle Pennock, executive chef for the President’s Choice test kitchen. “It boasts the perfect texture for this luscious tropical-topped treat.”
No-Bake Vegan Cheesecakes with Coconut and Pineapple
Prep time: 30 minutes
Chill time: 1 hour
Ready in: 1 ½ hours
Serves: 6
Ingredients:
- 1/3 cup (83 ml) unsweetened shredded coconut, toasted, divided (see tip, below)
- ¼ cup (60 ml) walnut halves, toasted and finely chopped (see tip, below)
- 2 tbsp (30 ml) granulated sugar, divided
- 1 tbsp (15 ml) coconut oil, melted (or liquid coconut oil)
- 1 tub (227 g) PC plant-based plain coconut cream cheese-style spread, room temperature
- ¾ cup (188 ml) plant-based plain cultured coconut milk yogurt alternative
- ½ cup (125 ml) icing sugar
- 2 tsp (10 ml) fresh lemon juice
- ¾ cup (188 ml) finely chopped cored peeled pineapple
- Fresh mint sprigs (optional)
Directions:
1. Stir together ¼ cup (60 ml) shredded coconut, walnuts, 1 tbsp granulated sugar and coconut oil in a small bowl. Press into bottoms of six ½-cup (125 ml) glass jars or ramekins, or small serving glasses, dividing evenly.
Tip: Toasting the shredded coconut and walnuts adds crunch and enhances their flavour. Try toasting the coconut in a dry skillet over medium-low heat, stirring often until light golden, about four to five minutes.
2. Beat cream cheese-style spread with coconut yogurt in a large bowl using an electric hand mixer on low speed until smooth. Increase speed to medium; beat until creamy, about 1 minute. Beat in icing sugar and lemon juice.
3. Spoon cheesecake mixture into jars over top of shredded coconut mixture, dividing evenly. Cover and refrigerate until chilled, about 1 hour, or overnight.
4. Stir pineapple with remaining 1 tbsp granulated sugar in a separate small bowl.
5. Spoon pineapple mixture over top of cheesecakes and sprinkle with remaining shredded coconut, dividing evenly. Top with fresh mint (if using).
Try this: Swap out the pineapple for any tropical fruit, such as mango or passion fruit.
Nutritional information per serving: calories 240, fat 16g, sodium 110 mg, carbohydrates 23g, fibre 1g, sugars 17g, protein 3g.
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