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    Home >> Vegan Cheesecake

    Mini Strawberry Cheesecakes (Vegan, Paleo)

    Published: Apr 26, 2016 · Modified: Mar 26, 2023 by Emily · This post may contain affiliate links · 11 Comments

    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! Mini Strawberry Cheesecakes (Vegan, Paleo) PrettyPies

    I love all things MINI... especially mini food. And mini dairy-free cheesecakes!? I'm sold!

    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.Mini Strawberry Cheesecakes (Vegan, Paleo) PrettyPies

    Maximum Strawberry-ness!

    {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 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? Mini Strawberry Cheesecakes (Vegan, Paleo) PrettyPies

    "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!
    Mini Strawberry Cheesecakes (Vegan, Paleo) PrettyPies

    Cele-brate, Holi-day...

    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 Istagram @emily.likes.food #prettypies 🙂 I'd love to hear what you think!

    Click below to save this recipe on Pinterest

    Mini Strawberry Cheesecakes (Vegan, Paleo) PrettyPies.com

    Mini Strawberry Cheesecakes (Dairy-Free, GF, Vegan, Paleo)

    Individual cheesecakes that are perfect for parties! Deliciously bursting with fresh strawberry flavor in a beautiful pink color!
    4.67 from 3 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Prep Time: 20 minutes
    Cook Time: 0 minutes
    Total Time: 20 minutes
    Servings: 10 servings
    Author: Emily

    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!

    Notes

    Disclosure: Pretty Pies is a member of the Amazon Associates program and any purchases made through my affiliate links may result in a small commission at no additional cost to you. 
    Featured Products:
    Cuisinart Food Processor
    Raw Cashews from Amazon
    Freeze Dried Strawberries from Aldi, also available here on Amazon and at grocery stores like Target, Sprouts and Trader Joe's, and Whole Foods.
    Silicone cupcake molds from IKEA (similar item on Amazon)
    To store: keep tightly wrapped in the fridge for one week, or frozen for 1 month. If frozen, sit on the counter several minutes to thaw and soften.
    Tried this recipe?Tag @emily.likes.food #prettypies!
    « Key Lime Pie (Vegan & Paleo)
    Key Lime Cheesecake (Vegan & Paleo) »

    Filed Under: Vegan Cheesecake Tagged With: cheesecake, fruit, holidays, raw, strawberry, valentines day, vegan

    About Emily

    Emily is the creative force behind the food blog, Pretty Pies, a destination for people interested in healthier eating, and for those with dietary restrictions and preferences, such as dairy-free, gluten-free and egg-free.

    Emily specializes in healthy desserts that are low-carb, keto, and made with plant-based natural ingredients. She is the author of two cookbooks in the low-carb sweets niche, "PS It's Healthy," and "Yay It' Sugar-Free!"

    Her recipes have reached millions of people across the globe over a 7-year time span, and helped countless readers enjoy delicious desserts without detriment to their health.

    When she's not creating in the kitchen, she loves spending time with her family and petite Goldendoodle, Eevee, spending time in nature, and eating Tex-Mex.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Brunella

      March 20, 2018 at 5:04 pm

      can this recipe be made with fresh strawberries. Thanks.

      Reply
      • Emily

        March 20, 2018 at 5:05 pm

        Yes! There is 1 cup of fresh strawberries in the filling. The freeze dried are optional

        Reply
    2. Brunella

      March 20, 2018 at 5:07 pm

      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.

      Reply
      • Emily

        March 20, 2018 at 5:08 pm

        Sure! Email me at [email protected] and I'll send it to you

        Reply
    3. Melissa

      March 20, 2018 at 5:44 pm

      Could you make the filling with almonds instead of cashews. My grandson would love these but he’s allergic to cashews

      Thank you
      Melissa

      Reply
      • Emily

        March 20, 2018 at 5:47 pm

        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!

        Reply
    4. Jeanne

      March 20, 2018 at 7:38 pm

      Can't wait to try this! Would dry roasted cashews work or do they need to be raw?

      Reply
      • Emily

        March 20, 2018 at 7:44 pm

        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

        Reply
        • Kristina

          March 21, 2018 at 6:18 am

          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!

          Reply
    5. Kristina

      March 21, 2018 at 5:41 am

      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!

      Reply
      • Emily

        March 21, 2018 at 10:27 am

        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! 🙂

        Reply

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