This Gluten-Free Vegan No-Bake Chocolate Marbled Pumpkin Cheesecake is my recipe submission for this month's Recipe ReDux theme, which is:
"A Nutty Nut Day - We had to take advantage of the fact that National Nut Day (October 22nd) falls on one of our ReDux monthly theme post days – so we can all go nuts! Share a healthy nut-filled recipe: Think whole nuts, chopped nuts, ground nuts, nut butter and/or nut flour."
If you've never enjoyed a vegan "cheesecake" before, you may not know that raw cashews can be magically transformed into a creamy, dense texture that very, very closely resembles a traditional cheesecake just by using a Vitamix.
Or, that pecans, walnuts, almonds, etc. can be used to make a delicious raw crust by using a food processor.
Traditional cheesecakes are, of course, made with lots of dairy ingredients (butter, cream cheese, eggs) and refined sugar.
Here are some of the ingredients in a traditional pumpkin cheesecake and the graham cracker crust:
S.A.D. (Standard American Diet) Pumpkin Cheesecake Ingredients:
Ingredients: (crust): 1 3/4 cups graham cracker crumbs, 3 tbs brown sugar, 1 stick melted salted butter (filling): 3 (8-ounce) packages of cream cheese, 1 can pureed pumpkin, 3 eggs, 1/4 cup sour cream, 1 1/2 cups sugar, 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon, 1/8 tsp fresh ground nutmeg, 1/8 tsp ground cloves, 2 tbs all-purpose flour, 1 tsp vanilla extract
S.A.D. (Standard American Diet) Keebler Honey Graham Crackers
Ingredients: Flour Enriched (Wheat Flour, Niacin Vitamin B3, Iron Reduced, Thiamine Mononitrate Vitamin B1 [Thiamin Vitamin B1], Riboflavin Vitamin B2 [Riboflavin Vitamin B2], Folic Acid Vitamin B9), Sugar, Cottonseed Oil Partially Hydrogenated, Soybeans Oil Partially Hydrogenated, TBHQ, To Preserve Freshness, Wheat Flour Whole (Graham Flour), Flour, Molasses, Honey, Corn Syrup, Corn Syrup High Fructose, Contains 2% or less of the Following: (Calcium Carbonate, Salt, Leavening (Baking Soda, Sodium Acid Pyrophosphate, Monocalcium Phosphate), Soy Lecithin, Flavors Artificial
They contain GMO's, high fructose corn syrup, partially hydrogenated oils, preservatives and artificial flavors.
Don't be intimidated by the ingredient list or steps to make the recipe. You can really make all three steps (crust, filling and topping) in under 10 minutes. That's it! The rest of the time is just for it to harden in the freezer. And, several of the ingredients are repeated in all three steps so the ingredient list looks longer and more complicated than it really is.
This healthier version is made with clean ingredients and is no-bake, vegan, gluten-free, dairy-free, egg-free, paleo-friendly and contains no refined sugar.
Want more healthy dessert recipes? Check out Vegan Lemon Blueberry Swirl Cheesecake Squares, Vegan No-Bake Peanut Butter Cheesecake, or Strawberry and Raspberry Cheesecake Hearts or my Clean Eating Cookbook with 3 entire chapters of healthy, clean eating recipes just like this one that you will love!
5 Fast Facts About Cashews:*
- packed with dietary fiber
- rich in “heart friendly” mono-saturated fatty acids
- rich source of minerals
- high in magnesium and copper
- excellent source of antioxidants
5 Fast Facts About Pumpkin:*
- high in beta-carotene
- full of iron, zinc and vitamin C
- rich in anti-oxidants
- 280% RDA of vitamin A
- good source of B complex vitamins
5 Fast Facts About Coconut Oil:*
- super high in lauric acid
- rich in antioxidants
- contains natural microbial and anti-bacterial agents
- helps to improve metabolism
- improves cholesterol levels
5 Fast Facts About Pecans:*
- contains naturally occurring anti-oxidants
- helps to lower cholesterol
- high quality source of protein
- contains more 19 vitamins and minerals
- excellent source of vitamin E
5 Fast Facts About Raw Cacao Powder:*
- super high in anti-oxidants
- promotes cardiovascular health
- contains essential fats
- can help to decrease blood pressure
- contains over 300 compounds including protein, calcium, copper, zinc and iron
5 Fast Facts About Vanilla Bean Powder:*
- anti-microbial
- high in anti-oxidants
- can help reduce inflammation
- contains small traces of minerals
- 1 teaspoon contains 3 g of protein and 3 g of fiber
5 Fast Facts About Cinnamon:*
- contains anti-inflammatory properties
- helps to control blood sugar
- excellent source of manganese and iron
- can help to lower bad cholesterol
- aids in eliminating migraine headaches
5 Fast Facts About Ginger:*
- excellent for gastrointestinal relief
- anti-inflammatory benefits
- promotes immune boosting
- increases blood flow and relaxes peripheral blood vessels
- anti-fungal, anti-bacterial, anti-viral
5 Fast Facts About Cloves:*
- 2 teaspoons contain 126.4% DV of manganese
- 2 teaspoons contain 5.6% DV of fiber
- rich in minerals iron and potassium
- contains anti-bacterial, anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory properties
- helps aid in elimination of fungus, bacteria and parasites
5 Fast Facts About Nutmeg:*
- helps improve concentration
- increases circulation
- good source of copper, potassium, iron and zinc
- high in B-complex vitamins
- contains anti-fungal properties
*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.
Gluten-Free Vegan No-Bake Chocolate Marbled Pumpkin Cheesecake
Prep
Inactive
Total
Yield 6 - 8 small slices
Vegan / Gluten-Free / Dairy-Free / Egg-Free / Grain-Free / Flourless / No-Bake / Paleo-Friendly / No Refined Sugar
Ingredients
For the filling:
- 3 cups organic raw cashews
- 1 can organic pumpkin puree (15 ounce can)
- 1/4 cup organic unrefined granular sweetener
- 1/4 cup organic coconut oil
- 2-3 teaspoons organic pumpkin spice
- 1 teaspoon organic vanilla bean powder
For the crust:
- 1 cup organic pecans
- 5 organic medjool dates (pitted)
- 3 tablespoons organic raw cacao powder
- 1 tablespoon organic coconut oil
- 1/4 teaspoon organic vanilla bean powder
For the topping:
- 2 tablespoons organic raw cacao powder
- 2 tablespoons organic coconut oil
- 2 tablespoons organic maple syrup
Instructions
Optional Advanced Preparation: Soak the cashews in filtered/purified water for 30-60 minutes, then rinse and drain. This will make the mixture extra smooth and creamy.
Prepare the crust:
- Add all ingredients for the crust to a food processor and process until it becomes a moist, crumbly mixture.
- Transfer the mixture to a 6-inch spring form cheesecake pan, spread it evenly on the bottom of the pan, then press it down firmly. Set aside.
Prepare the topping:
- Add all ingredients for the topping to a small saucepan and melt on lowest heat on the stove top, stirring until it's smooth and well combined, taking care not to burn.
- Allow to cool before adding to the cheesecake.
Prepare the filling:
- Add all ingredients for the filling to a Vitamix and blend until it's creamy and smooth.
- Adjust the spices and/or sweetener to your preference.
Assemble:
- Add the filling to the cheesecake pan and spread it evenly over the crust.
- After the topping has cooled, take a spoonful at a time and add small dollops to the top of the cheesecake mixture and using the tip of a sharp knife, swirl it around in circles for a marbled effect.
- Place the cheesecake pan in the freezer for approximately 1-2 hours, or until it is firm/hardened.
- Prior to serving, remove the cheesecake pan from the freezer and leave it on the counter top for 15-20 minutes, or until it's soft enough to cut.
- Store in the freezer until ready to serve and do not leave it out for an extended period of time because it will get soft if left out at room temperature for too long.
- Enjoy!
Notes
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The recipe and photographs for "Gluten-Free Vegan No-Bake Chocolate Marbled Pumpkin Cheesecake" by Karielyn Tillman of The Healthy Family and Home website are licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial No Derivatives 4.0 International License and cannot be used without my written permission.
Recipe Roundups: Food Bloggers are always welcome to use a photo and a link back to my original post to share on recipe roundups without requesting permission.
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Hi, I'm Karielyn! I'm the published cookbook author of CLEAN DESSERTS and content creator of The Healthy Family and Home™ website since 2012. I specialize in creating easy, healthy plant-based and Medical Medium® compliant recipes that are gluten-free + vegan and made with clean, real food ingredients that you can feel good about eating.
jill conyers says
Karielyn I am so making this! Love everything about this recipe. Wait. I got so excited about pumpkin cheesecake I forgot to check if it's gluten free. It's the pumpkin love.
Karielyn says
Hi there Jill! I completely understand...I have a big pumpkin love too lol! Good news...yes, the recipe is gluten-free! Thanks for stopping by 🙂
Jenny D says
These sound yummy! I love the explanation of the ingredients and their benefits.
Karielyn says
Hi there Jenny! Thanks so much and I appreciate you stopping by 🙂
Nancy Granada says
This looks AMAZING! I don't typically go raw with my cooking, but this one makes me want to run to my kitchen NOW! 🙂
Karielyn says
Hi there Nancy! I wish I could call it 100% raw, but it's "almost raw", due to the pumpkin puree, but everything else is raw and clean so you can enjoy it guilt-free! Thanks for stopping by 🙂
Serena says
Never made cashew cream...I really have to try! This looks so yummy and healthy and fall flavors/spices are great with nuts!
Karielyn says
Hi there Serena! I hope you give it a try...it's really good! Thanks so much for stopping by 🙂