Name: Vegan Chocolate Cheesecake
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 45 min
Ingredients: 16 oz oil-free plant-based cream cheese; 1 cup silken tofu; 1 cup pumpkin puree; 8 Tbsp cacao powder; ½ cup date paste (see tips); ¼ cup date sugar; ⅓ cup quick cooking oats; ⅓ cup oat flour; 3 Tbsp date paste; 1 ½ cups plant-based milk; ¼ cup unsweetened cacao powder; 2 Tbsp cornstarch; ¼ cup date paste (see tips); ¼ tsp vanilla extract; Fresh berries; Plant-based fudge sauce (see below); Shaved dark chocolate

By Evelisse Capó, PharmD, DipACLM

(14)

This plant-based cheesecake is a rich, creamy, and decadent dessert that you can feel good about indulging in. It’s the perfect recipe for when you need an occasional sweet treat that’s sure to impress.

Prep: 10 mins Cook: 45 mins Yield: 12 servings

Gluten Free

Ingredients

16 oz oil-free plant-based cream cheese
1 cup silken tofu
1 cup pumpkin puree
8 Tbsp cacao powder
½ cup date paste (see tips)
¼ cup date sugar

Crust

⅓ cup quick cooking oats
⅓ cup oat flour
3 Tbsp date paste

Fudge Sauce

1 ½ cups plant-based milk
¼ cup unsweetened cacao powder
2 Tbsp cornstarch
¼ cup date paste (see tips)
¼ tsp vanilla extract

Toppings

Fresh berries
Plant-based fudge sauce (see below)
Shaved dark chocolate

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
2. In a bowl, combine all the crust ingredients.
3. In a springform pan, spread and press to form the crust at the bottom of the pan.
4. Process all the cheesecake ingredients in a blender until smooth.
5. Pour the cheesecake mixture over the crust in the springform pan.
6. Bake for 45 minutes.
7. Turn off the oven and allow the cheesecake to continue to cook in the oven for one hour.
8. Remove the cheesecake from the oven and allow it to cool to room temperature.
9. Refrigerate the cheesecake for several hours before serving.
10. Decorate with plant-based fudge sauce, berries, and dark chocolate shavings.

Fudge Sauce

1. In a saucepan, whisk together all fudge ingredients until well combined.
2. Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until thickened. Set aside.

Cooking Tips

1. The Kite Hill brand of plant-based cream cheese has minimal ingredients and is oil-free.
2. You can substitute the date sugar with coconut sugar.
3. You can make your own date paste at home using this recipe.