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This easy cheesecake bites recipe makes 12 frozen desserts that are nutty and sweet, with a satisfying cookie crunch that vegans and non-vegans alike will love!
Since going dairy-free, I've had a lot of success creating dairy-free versions of many of my favorite dessert recipes. This Vegan Chocolate Cake is a favorite, as are my Dairy-Free Cookies & Cream "Ice Cream" and my 3-Ingredient Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups recipes.
However, there's one dessert in particular that has eluded me: easy cheesecake bites that are also vegan.
That is, until now.
Nutty Vegan Easy Cheesecake Bites
These frozen desserts are creamy, sweet, and nutty, with a crunchy cookie crust. You could make one large cheesecake, but since these are perfect for keeping in the freezer and then eating individual servings as needed, I decided to go the mini cheesecake route. Also: mini desserts are the best!
I call them mini vegan cheesecake bites because cheesecake is the closest type of dessert these would be, but the key difference is that these are meant to stay in the freezer versus refrigerator. The consistency and texture is somewhere between a frozen custard pie and a cheesecake. See my recipe notes for options.
Cookie Crust
For the crust, I used Biscoff cookies but you can use any vegan graham cracker, or gingersnap or spice cookies as well. Any light (not dense) cookie with a sweet crunch and hint of spices will do. Pulse the cookies with some melted coconut oil in a food processor, and you have your crust!
"Cheesecake" Filling
Time for the filling for these easy cheesecake bites. First, simply fast-soak some cashews and some hazelnuts (see recipe notes); you could use almonds instead of hazelnuts. I'm an Oregon girl, so I love hazelnuts!
Put the drained, soaked nuts into a blender, and blend them with almondmilk, agave nectar for some sweetness, vanilla, and lemon juice. I used Silk Almondmilk, which is honestly my go-to daily dairy-free milk of choice (there's always a gallon in my fridge!). I especially love it during the holidays, when there are a LOT of potential cream/dairy substitutions that must be made! Not only is it the smart choice for those of us who are vegan or have dairy intolerances, but it has only 30 calories per serving, no cholesterol, and no saturated fat.
The mild nutty flavor of Silk Almondmilk makes it perfect for this nutty vegan cheesecake recipe! That said, you could also use cashewmilk or coconutmilk (both of which, I also buy regularly) in place of the almondmilk.
Toppings
With the holidays coming up, I decided to top these with some crushed pecans. This adds to the already decadent nutty flavor.
Some other topping ideas:
- vegan chocolate frosting (get my recipe for it here in my Vegan Chocolate Cake recipe)
- chocolate drizzle
- toasted coconut
- a top layer of peanut butter
- toasted pumpkin seeds
- chocolate chips
What would YOU choose to top these nutty vegan cheesecakes with?
Easy Cheesecake Bites Recipe
Easy Cheesecakes Bites (A Nutty, Vegan Frozen Dessert)
Ingredients
Crust Ingredients
- 24 vegan gingersnap or spice cookies or about 18 graham crackers
- 4 tablespoons melted coconut oil
Filling Ingredients
- 1 cup cashews fast-soaked and drained (see notes)
- 1 cup hazelnuts fast-soaked (see notes)
- 1 cup almondmilk
- ½ cup agave nectar
- 2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Optional Toppings
- crushed pecans
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
- Place cupcake liners OR strips of parchment paper into each spot of a 12-serving muffin pan
To make the crust:
- In a food processor, blend the cookies and melted coconut oil until the texture resembles a crust.
- Scoop enough crust mixture to cover the bottom of each muffin pan spot and press down gently.
- Bake at 350 degrees for 5-6 minutes, just enough to have the crust stick nicely together.
To make the filling
- In a blender, add the cashews, hazelnuts, almondmilk, agave nectar, lemon juice, and vanilla extract. Pulse until well blended into a creamy texture.
- Pour enough into each muffin spot over the cookie crumb to almost reach the top.
- Freeze for about 4-5 hours.
- Remove when ready to eat and top with chopped pecans or the topping of your choice.
Notes
-To fast-soak cashews and hazelnuts: place nuts in a large bowl and pour boiling water to cover. Soak for about 1 hour, then drain the water.
-Whatever you don't eat immediately, you can keep in the freezer for about 2 weeks in an airtight container.
-Want to make an even creamier filling? Sub half of the almondmilk for coconut cream.
Recipe inspired by Minimalist Baker and The Food Network
You can find Silk in the dairy aisle of your neighborhood grocery store or Walmart. If you've purchased Silk before, you may notice it has a beautiful new look, but rest assured, it still has the same silky smooth flavor! For more, be sure to check out these great Silk dairy-free recipes!
Catherine says
This post gets a giant OMG from me. Holidays can be hard because you have a giant meal with lots of people—and all their food sensitivities and restrictions. This looks like a wonderful dessert that would satisfy everyone! Pinned for later.
Marlynn Jayme Schotland says
It's so true - the holidays are especially tricky with allergies and intolerances when it comes to the massive dessert trays at parties! This one is pretty easy to customize as well. I'm actually intolerant of pecans but I put them on because other family members love them, and they're easy for me to pick off :) But you could make this recipe dairy-free, gluten-free, egg-free, and vegan pretty easily -- covers most bases except nut allergies. Thank you, Catherine!
Erin @ Platings and Pairings says
These look so yummy! I love that you used gingersnaps for the crust!
Mary says
These sound awesome. My husband lives for (real) cheesecake. It's his favorite dessert ever. In fact we had similar (though dairy filled) mini cheesecakes at our wedding to keep him happy. I'm totally going to try these and see if I can fake him out ;)
Though this could totally backfire in my face, or we could have a winner? Either way they sound delicious and much lighter than the heavy thick cream cheese alternative.
Marlynn Jayme Schotland says
Great, Mary! If he LOVES traditional creamy cheesy cheesecake, just remember what I said in the post: the texture is NOT the same exact texture as a cheesecake, and it's frozen. The closest dessert it's like is like a frozen cheesecake... ;) We love them, but they're definitely not meant to try to fake out a whole dairy cheesecake lover ;)
Pech says
I think I'll definitely be making this for a bottle share with vegans and also because with this lil version I can keep some back at home for myself too heh heh.
Marlynn Jayme Schotland says
Fun idea, Pech!
Becky says
You are killing me, darling! I have all these ingredients in my kitchen!!! Sounds so tasty.
Marlynn Jayme Schotland says
Thank you, Becky!
Jen says
Oh my goodness I love cheesecake and I'm dairy free! :) This recipe is amazing! Thank you for sharing!
Xo,
Jen
frecklesonfillmore.com
Marlynn Jayme Schotland says
Yay! Just remember: this is a frozen dessert, so it's not meant to be the same texture as traditional heavy dairy cheesecake ;) Thank you, Jen!
Tami says
Wow, these look amazing, Marlynn! I really like the single servings and that they're pretty simple to make. Definitely going to give these a try for the holidays!
Lauren Vavala says
These look awesome! LOVE Silk Almond Milk - it's all we drink!
Lissa says
Why do you fast soak the nuts? Use regular nuts out of can?