Orange Chocolate Cheesecake
Valentine's Day is tomorrow, can you believe it?!
It snuck up on me this year. I've been busy; a full-time job, spring cleaning, writing recipes, and training for my half marathon in May...I rarely even know what day of the week it is. But tomorrow is Valentine's Day. And I love my Valentine. And he loves cheesecake.
When we first started dating, before either of us had gone vegan, cheesecake was one of his favorite desserts. Now that we're vegan, we have long learned the wonders of raw cashews. Cheese, milk, cream- all easily substituted by cashews. So when we make cheesecakes, we usually just follow one of our other recipes for lemon lavender cheesecake or chocolate chip cheesecake. But this is our fourth Valentine's Day, and I really wanted to make him something extra-specially delicious.
So I started raiding the cabinets. I came out with a half bottle of orange extract and lot of cocoa powder. So I got to work. And when it was done? I was so proud of myself. It was creamy, rich, decadent...a perfect sweet treat for my handsome valentine.
Ingredients:
for the crust: 1/2 cup pitted dates 1 1/2 cups raw almonds 3 tablespoons melted coconut oil (use double boiler method to keep it raw) for the cheesecake: 3 cups soaked cashews 3/4 cup orange juice 2/3 cup agave 1/4 cup cocoa powder 1 teaspoon salt 1 teaspoon orange extract 3/4 cup melted coconut oil 1/4 cup grated dark chocolate as garnish, optional
Instructions:
for the crust: Blend all ingredients together in a food processor or strong blender. I use my Vitamix and it works like a charm everytime. You want the nuts and dates to the consistency of a sort of chunky, less malleable cookie dough. Scoop mixture into a 9" springform pan (the easiest way) or line a cake or pie tin with waxed paper (less easy) and scoop it into that. Press the mixture into the sides and bottom of pan. Freeze to set, at least one hour or more.
for the cheesecake:
After your cashews have soaked for at least an hour, throw them in your Vitamix, other blender or food processor. Add the freshly squeezed orange juice, agave, cocoa powder, salt, orange extract and coconut oil. Blend on high for about a minute, more if your machine needs it. The consistency will be that of a thick pudding, whipped and mostly pourable. Remove the crust from the freezer and pour cheesecake filling on top, tapping the pan several times on the counter to level the filling completely flat. Place the assembled cheesecake back in the freezer or in the refrigerator, at least 3 hours to set completely. Placing it in the freezer will result in a firmer, more ice cream like texture. Placing it in the fridge will leave it much softer and more like a custard. Once the cheesecake has set, remove it from the fridge/ freezer and top around outer edge (or anywhere you like really) with grated chocolate. Slice, serve & enjoy. Happy Valentine's Day!
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39 Comments
Abby @ The Frosted Vegan link
2/21/2013 05:23:53 am
Oh my, this looks divine! From the crust to the filling, perfection!
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Amber link
2/23/2013 05:44:06 am
Thanks!!
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Faye link
3/21/2013 08:35:32 pm
This chocolate cheesecake looks fabulous!
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Morgan
3/29/2013 06:24:19 am
Wow - I made this last night and it tastes so good!
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Amber link
3/29/2013 01:08:22 pm
Thanks Morgan! We've never had a problem when making this with our vitamix overheating- we usually use the tamper and actively help move things around in there once its already on. If you don't have one, I'd recommend shutting it off every 45 seconds or so and giving it a good stir, so that all of the thick cashews get blended up.Hope this fixes the problem- let me know!
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Anna
10/28/2014 05:29:33 am
I once overheated my Vitamix. It just quit. I raced to Costco to buy another and found the Vitamix demo guy there. He told me there's no way it was broken...that it protects itself by shutting off when it's overheated. And, if it WERE broken, Vitamix will replace it within seven years of purchase. Sure enough, when I got home with my new Vitamix, the old one was sitting there waiting for me to finish making whatever was in it. Returned the new one the next day. This machine is a workhorse.
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Emma
6/24/2013 05:51:46 pm
A triumph, thank you for this, it was amazing, smooth and chocolately and full of flavour. I made extra base just for snacking potential!
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Amber link
6/26/2013 01:56:15 am
So happy to hear you enjoyed it!!
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laura link
7/12/2013 04:54:51 pm
This recipe is wonderful and loved by all.
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Heaven on earth!!!!!!!!!!!! It's not chilled yet, but... delicious :)
9/21/2013 12:46:34 am
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agata
10/17/2013 07:44:14 pm
hi! one thing i am not able to figure out: in what should cashews be soaked? in orange juice or just in water? thx!
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Amber link
10/21/2013 05:18:49 am
Hi Agata! Sorry for the confusion. The cashews should be soaked in WARM water for at least 30 minutes prior to using. Enjoy!
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Andreea
11/21/2013 10:41:20 am
Hi, how easy can be removed from the bottom of the springform? Will it slide from the springform or should I put some waxpaper? Thanks!
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Amber link
11/21/2013 11:08:28 am
Hi! It usually comes off pretty easily with a little help from a metal spatula, but for simple, easy removal---> waxed paper all the way! Enjoy!!
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Andreea
11/26/2013 06:03:32 am
Amber, can I substitute the agave with maple syrup? If yes, would it be the same measurements? Thanks!
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Amber link
11/26/2013 06:24:32 am
Hi! You may absolutely use maple syrup. I've made this substitution before and it was really good! Use the same measurement. Enjoy!
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kate
3/27/2014 12:21:07 pm
I made this and found it to be good, however, the recipe didn't make as thick a crust as you show here with my basic pie pan, and I ended up with too much filing-- but I'm not complaining!
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Morgan
6/2/2014 01:02:42 pm
Hi, looking forward to giving this a whirl for a family night treat! Just wondering if anyone tried it with raw cacao instead of cocoa powder. Trying to get my family to enjoy yummy healthy foods instead of sweets filled with refined sugars!
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Anna
10/28/2014 05:31:04 am
I use raw cacao in every recipe calling for cocoa and have never had a problem.
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Francesca
8/21/2014 06:53:04 pm
Love this cake!!!
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Bethany Birch
12/27/2014 11:35:47 pm
Just made this cheese cake and I'm in love! Thanks for your wonderful recipe, was so simple to follow too and incredibly delicious!
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Caroline Acker
3/4/2015 04:56:46 pm
I made this last week & it was a hit with all my face book friends, having to share the recipe over & over again. I too made a thicker base by adding an extra half cup of dates & almonds & extra 3 tablespoons of coconut oil to get the consistancy just right. With the leftovers I cut it up into small serving portions & stored it in the freezer so that when the urge came for something sweet I would take a piece out & have that, Wella!! It done the trick..The urge to hit the bickie tin or snack on that bar of chocolate had vanished.. It's a win win :)
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Jill
3/17/2015 05:29:31 am
I am just about to make this for the second time in a week. That says it all!
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cristina
3/28/2015 03:42:06 am
if you use roasted cashews, does it still work? (have trouble finding raw cashwes locally, have to order or travel further). Tx!
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Monica
6/17/2015 12:01:21 am
Hi this looks delicious and I can't wait to try it but I also can't find raw cashews amywhere. Is there anything I can sub for the cashews?
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Amber link
6/17/2015 01:50:12 am
Hi Monica! I've never tried subbing in other nut for cashews but perhaps almonds would work? Cashews will make it creamiest though- so consider ordering online. VeganEssentials.com + Vitacost.com usually have some good deals!
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NICOLE
1/4/2016 07:12:27 am
I cant find orange extract in the local market, is there anything i can substitute it for?
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Rod
1/17/2016 01:45:22 pm
Just made this for my girlfriend and worked out perfectly. Thank you.
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Saba
4/23/2016 05:39:35 am
This cake is amazing! I'll definitely try it.
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Saba
4/23/2016 05:39:41 am
This cake is amazing! I'll definitely try it.
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Saba link
4/23/2016 05:39:48 am
This cake is amazing! I'll definitely try it.
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Amber link
4/24/2016 09:37:45 am
Hi Saba! The orange extract here is just used for the concentrated orange flavor, but I think you could probably just sub in a tablespoon of next instead! Enjoy :)
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Laura link
7/12/2016 05:29:57 am
Hi Amber, I love this recipe and can't wait to try it out. I'm looking to make something like this for a birthday party in September. Do you have an alternative for the cashew nuts? I want to be careful in case there are guests with Nut allergies.
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Amber link
7/13/2016 04:28:28 pm
Hi Laura! Thanks so much! I think its smart to be wary of nut allergies - good for you girl! I'm guessing you're excluding coconuts too but in case you're NOT - try using coconut cream or fresh coconut flesh! If you ARE avoiding, try silken tofu, hemp seeds or coconut butter as a replacement! I hope whichever version you choose works - if it does I'd love feedback so I can try it for myself! :)
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Tamar Carmit
9/23/2016 09:07:31 am
best cake ever just awesome amazing taste
Carmit
9/23/2016 09:05:04 am
best cake ever just awesome amazing taste
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bert link
4/18/2017 07:48:54 am
how many calories on average per cake/slice?
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Anonymous
10/15/2017 10:40:32 am
I'd like to know that as well. Seems like it would be a lot.
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Anonymous2.0
10/15/2017 10:57:20 am
Seems like the entire cake contains more than 5000 kcal (i.e. more than 400% of the RDI of the average woman) and way too much saturated fat due to the coconut oil. I'd stick to just eating this on very special occasions. Though, on the bright side: it seems to contain a whole lot of protein, B vitamins and minerals.
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