Raw Vegan Chocolate Almond Cheesecake Bars
What can be better than a raw dessert that is creamy and full of almond and chocolate flavor and only 8 ingredients (+water)? This cheesecake is so creamy and rich, you won't believe it is dairy-free or vegan!
Servings: 9 -12
Ingredients
Filling
- 2 heaping cups raw whole cashews 10 oz, 280g
- 1/4 cup sliced almonds or 2 heaping tablespoons almond butter
- 1/4 cup lemon juice
- 1/2 cup raw agave nectar or maple syrup, 120 mL
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 1/4 teaspoon sea salt
- 1 cup water 236 mL
- For the swirl: 6 oz jar Rawmio Chocolate Almond Butter a 1/2 cup mixed with 3 tablespoons water (or you can eliminate or use another chocolate spread
Chocolate crust
- 3 heaping cups sliced almonds not whole (11 oz, 310 g)
- 3 tablespoons raw cacao 18 g
- 4 1/2 tablespoons raw agave nectar
- pinch fine sea salt
Please note that weight measurements are also listed for accuracy in the result. Also, if you do not have the Dastony chocolate almond butter, you can just melt some chocolate chips mixed with some almond butter. Just make sure it is a thick consistency and then swirl that into the cheesecake.
Instructions
Chocolate crust
- Add almonds and cacao to a food processor and pulse into fine crumbs. Add the agave and pulse again until mixture clumps together and holds it's shape when pressed together between your fingers. Take an 8x8 square pan, spray with nonstick spray and line with plastic wrap hanging over the sides for easy removal later. The spray helps the plastic wrap from moving. Press the mixture evenly around with your fingers, not forgetting about the corners. You can add a little cacao powder to your fingers to help it not stick.
Filling
- If you do not have a high powered blender such as a Vitamix or Blendtec, simply soak the cashews for 5 hours in a bowl covered with room temperature water. Drain, rinse and then proceed with the recipe.
- Add all filling ingredients (except the chocolate almond butter) to a high powered blender and blend until smooth and creamy, a couple of minutes.
- Pour over the prepared crust.
- Mix the chocolate almond butter with 3 tablespoons water until smooth. Drop spoonfuls all over the cheesecake and pull with a knife to make swirls. Do not overdo it or you will lose the swirl effect.
- If desired, add almonds, cocoa nibs, shaved chocolate or chocolate chips on top. Note: cocoa nibs aren't very sweet, so taste them before placing them as a topping, to make sure you want to use them. Place in the freezer for several hours or overnight until firm. Let sit at room temperature about 10-15 minutes before trying to remove the cheesecake with the plastic wrap. You should be able to pull it out with the plastic wrap after it has sat out a bit. Then slice and serve. Cover with foil and return to the freezer to keep it firm.