Sweet, light and creamy and full of strawberry flavor! Better than "regular" cheesecakes, these mini cakes are dairy-free, gluten-free, and refined sugar free. Super easy - No baking involved!
I love all things MINI... especially mini food. And mini dairy-free cheesecakes!? I'm sold!
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CASHEW MAGIC
This recipe is my fluffiest cheesecake-- super light and soft. These have no dairy and no eggs, but they're still as creamy delicious as the real deal. What's the secret ingredient? CASHEWS! These humble little nuts transform into the loveliest cream after you soak them and blend them with a food processor or high speed blender. They are magical. My absolute FAVORITE thing ever.
The absolute best dairy replacement. I don't even miss dairy now that I have cashew milk for my coffee & cashew cream for my desserts. 🙂 You can even make queso and alfredo using cashews!! I haven't tried those yet, but I'm definitely going to. YUM.
For Maximum Strawberry Flavor
{Update 3/20/18} I re-made this recipe that was originally posted about 2 years ago and now it has even MORE strawberry flavor, and a more gorgeous PINK color. YAY!
How?? Freeze dried strawberries! These are becoming more and more common to find in grocery stores. And the price has come down, too! I buy mine at Aldi now (my favorite store!) One bag is about $2.99. Score!
All you do is put the entire bag of strawberries into a small blender and blend for 15 seconds to turn them into a powder. Then add the powder to your cheesecake mixture! This ingredient is optional, but I do love the effect it gives. Amps up the color and flavor. Aren't these cheesecakes such a pretty pastel pink? 
"How dare you call these "Cheesecakes"??"
Apparently, there's been a LOT of controversy on calling these things "cheesecakes".. Yes, I am fully aware there's no "Cheese" lol. But that's the best way to describe these things. Nobody wants to eat nut cake. Promise. Back when the video was posted of my Blueberry Lime Cheesecake, so many people went NUTS (pun intended hahaha) There are over 17 thousand comments (some aren't so nice). Why can't people just be kind to one another?? Ok trolls, no dessert for you. 😉 SO... cream cake, cashew cake, raw vegan no-bake blended dessert, whatever you want to call it, it's GOOD. Just leave it at that and make yourself one.
If strawberry's not your thing, check out my collection of other cheesecake flavors. ps. I'll be adding to my cheesecake collection, so if you have any requests, drop it in the comments! 
Perfect for Parties
The mini size of these cheesecakes makes them ideal for parties (or portion control, too!) A silicone cupcake mold makes for easy removal. I made these mini cheesecakes for my daughter's birthday party and they were a hit (and I was the only person who's dairy-free!!) But they're also perfect for spring, summer and Easter! Let me know if you try them! Tag me on Instagram @emily.likes.food #prettypies 🙂 I'd love to hear what you think!
Mini Strawberry Cheesecakes (Dairy-Free, GF, Vegan, Paleo)
Ingredients
Crust
- 1 cup almonds
- ¾ cup dates
- ½ teaspoon vanilla
- Dash of pink salt
Strawberry Cheesecake Filling
- 1 ½ cups soaked cashews
- 1 cup strawberries
- ⅓ cup coconut oil - melted
- ⅓ cup maple syrup
- 3 Tbs lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Pinch of pink salt
- 1.2 oz bag freeze dried strawberries - optional
- ½ cup strawberry slices - for garnish
Instructions
To make the crust:
- Pulse crust ingredients in a food processor until sticky crumbles form.
- Press crust into silicone cupcake molds (using a small measuring cup works great)
To make the cheesecake:
- {Use cashews that have been soaked overnight in a bowl of water, or soaked in hot water for 2 hours} Blend cashews smooth in food processor & scrape down the sides.
- Optional: Blend freeze dried strawberries into a powder using a small blender. (Results in ⅓ cup powder.)
- Add remaining filling ingredients and blend again.
- Taste & adjust, adding an extra splash of maple syrup (or teaspoon of powdered coconut sugar), if needed.
- Pour filling on top of mini crusts. Smooth with a spatula.
- Freeze 4-6 hours (or overnight) until solid, then remove from silicone.
- Garnish with sliced strawberries. Transfer to fridge until ready to eat, or set on the counter to thaw until softened. Enjoy!
Brunella
can this recipe be made with fresh strawberries. Thanks.
Emily
Yes! There is 1 cup of fresh strawberries in the filling. The freeze dried are optional
Brunella
I don't have the copy of your puddings. apparantely I forgot to save it when I downloaded. would you send it to me again please. Thank you.
Emily
Sure! Email me at [email protected] and I'll send it to you
Melissa
Could you make the filling with almonds instead of cashews. My grandson would love these but he’s allergic to cashews
Thank you
Melissa
Emily
Sorry he's allergic 🙁 I have never tried almonds, but maybe it could work.
Cashews absorb a lot of water when you soak them and have a very creamy consistency and mild sweetness which makes them ideal for dairy-free cheesecakes.
I do know that macadamia nuts work in place of cashews, though! Just be sure to thoroughly soak whatever nuts you use. Hope it works for you!
Jeanne
Can't wait to try this! Would dry roasted cashews work or do they need to be raw?
Emily
I recommend raw. Not sure if roasted would work the same. It might! I haven't tried it so I can't say for sure. But roasting does dry them out, which could affect their ability to absorb water.
If you try it, let me know what you think
Kristina
What does it mean freeze dried strawberries? Is it possible to make this cheesecake in a small cake form instead as I do not have small crusts. Thanks a lot!
Kristina
What does it mean freeze dried strawberries? Is it possible to make this cheesecake in a small cake form instead as I do not have small crusts. Thanks a lot!
Emily
Freeze dried fruit has all the moisture removed, making it crispy/crunchy and light. Here's the kind I got: https://www.aldi.us/en/grocery-home/aldi-brands/simplynature/snacks-sweets/snacks-detail/ps/p/simplynature-freeze-dried-strawberry/
Yes, this will work in a small (7") springform pan too! Just make sure to freeze it solid before removing it, since this is a softer cake. I use this pan: http://amzn.to/2G26yI4
Hope you enjoy! 🙂
Denise
Is there a substitute for the coconut oil?
Emily
Palm oil (shortening) works.
Susan
These look yummy for Easter. My husband is allergic to nuts. Do you have any alternative suggestions or will it work if I leave out the nuts in the cheesecake?
I thought I would make gf graham cracker for the crust.
Emily
The cashews are the main component of the filling. Can he have coconut? I have another cheesecake that is made with coconut butter and pumpkin seeds (nut-free as written). Lemon Cheesecake Bars (Dairy-Free, Gluten-Free, Nut-Free, Keto)
You can add a few Tbs freeze-dried strawberry powder to make it strawberry flavor. Sub lemon juice with water. If you need other substitutions or help, just let me know!
Denise Lavery
Big hit at my daughter's bridal shower, yum
I got 12 from my batch
Thanks Emily, for your delicious recipes and your support