🧁 Salted Caramel Cheesecake 🧁
A rich, creamy vegan cheesecake with a buttery crust and a decadent homemade caramel sauce, perfect for any dessert lover! This plant-based cheesecake is easily made gluten-free and is sure to satisfy your sweet tooth with its balanced sweet and salty flavors.
Ingredients
Cheesecake Filling:
1 package firm tofu (14 oz) 🧈
1 cup coconut cream 🥥 (from the top of a chilled can of coconut milk)
1 heaping cup soaked cashews (soaked overnight or in boiling water for at least an hour) 🥜
½ cup granulated sugar 🍬
¼ cup cornstarch 🌽
1 tsp lemon zest 🍋
2 tsp lemon juice 🍋
2 tsp vanilla extract 🍦
¼ tsp salt 🧂
Crust:
150g vegan plain cookies (e.g., Biscoff) 🍪
3 ½ tbsp vegan butter, melted 🧈
Salted Caramel Sauce:
⅓ cup coconut cream 🥥
½ cup coconut sugar 🍬
3 tbsp cornstarch 🌽
¼ tsp vanilla extract 🍦
¼ tsp sea salt 🧂
Instructions
1️⃣ Prepare the Crust:
Pulse the cookies and melted vegan butter in a food processor until you have a fine crumb mixture. Press it into the bottom and sides of a parchment-lined 9" springform pan. Set aside.
2️⃣ Make the Cheesecake Filling:
Drain and press the tofu, then blend it with coconut cream, soaked cashews, sugar, lemon zest, lemon juice, vanilla, salt, and cornstarch in a food processor until smooth. Pour the filling over the prepared crust.
3️⃣ Bake the Cheesecake:
Wrap the bottom of the springform pan in foil and place it in a larger deep pan. Pour water halfway up the sides of the pan for a water bath. Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 50-60 minutes. The cheesecake should be slightly jiggly in the center and golden around the edges. Allow it to cool, then refrigerate for at least 6-8 hours.
4️⃣ Make the Salted Caramel Sauce:
In a saucepan, heat the coconut cream, coconut sugar, vanilla, and sea salt over medium heat until boiling. Stir in cornstarch and whisk until thickened. Let the sauce cool for 20 minutes.
5️⃣ Assemble:
Pour the cooled caramel sauce over the chilled cheesecake. Optionally, garnish with flakey salt around the edge for an extra touch of flavor.
6️⃣ Enjoy 😋