Raw, Vegan Lemon ‘Cheesecake’

I’m no longer limping.

I’ve been to see an osteopath and after telling him my tale of stupidity (air-headed notion of training for less than four weeks for a 10km ‘fun’ run), he looked at me like he was dealing with a slow learner and said, ‘That’s not very wise’.

I said, ‘I know that now.  But did you know I used to be a very good runner and I have trophies to prove it’.


And he said, ‘But how old are your trophies?’  And yes, they are somewhat covered in dust and yes, I probably was presented with them a few decades ago – or wasn’t presented with them as you can read in this post!

A cheesecake with no cheese

A cheesecake with no cheese

He suggested that in order for my inflamed knees to repair themselves from the assault I gave them I should, if I wanted to continue with jogging, join a gym and run on a treadmill and start with small amounts of running like 1kms and build up from there.

He also said he needs to see me once a week for the next four weeks as my pelvis is out, the tendons that attach to my knees are out and there’s a third issue but I can’t even remember what that is.  He then took a heavy vibrating steamroller and pushed it all over my legs and it wasn’t pleasant and I had to use my hands to grab the sides of the bed so I didn’t reach up and punch him.

Vegan, Raw Lemon Cheesecake

Vegan, Raw Lemon Cheesecake

After he disconnected the steamroller he showed me a series of exercises he wants me to do and alas, it’s been nearly a week and I haven’t done one of them.  But I am feeling so much better.

A few months ago I ordered a book on-line and when it was delivered it came with a recipe-card for a raw lemon ‘cheesecake’.  It’s from Michelle Irwin’s recipe book called Too Few Cooks in the Kitchen.

I thought the recipe sounded very interesting as it’s a cheesecake without any cheese and there’s no sugar, gluten or dairy which is so unlike any cheesecake I’ve ever made before.  I enthusiastically bought the ingredients and made this cheesecake and I wasn’t disappointed.  It’s quick and simple to make although you do need to prepare it a few hours before serving it; I’d recommend this as a ‘day-ahead’ recipe.  It’s a great guilt-free dessert with a lot of goodness, a pronounced lemon flavour and a silky, creamy texture.

And this is guilt-free - there's no sugar!

And this is guilt-free – there’s no sugar!

4.3 from 12 reviews
Vegan, Raw Lemon 'Cheesecake'
Author: 
Recipe type: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Prep time: 
Total time: 
Serves: 8-12
 
Vegan, Raw Lemon Cheesecake
Ingredients
  • Crust:
  • 2 cups slivered almonds
  • 3-4 medjool dates, pitted
  • 1 tbspn fresh lemon juice
  • ½ tsp alcohol-free, vanilla extract
  • For the filling:
  • 3 cups raw cashews
  • 1½ cups unsweetened almond milk
  • 1 cup fresh lemon juice
  • ½ cup raw honey
  • 1 tsp alcohol-free vanilla extract
  • ¼ tsp salt
  • 1 tsp lemon zest
  • pinch of turmeric (optional)
  • 1 cup coconut oil, melted
  • Fresh fruit to decorate
Instructions
  1. Using a food processor and 'S' blade, process almonds to a fine meal.
  2. Add the pitted dates, lemon juice, and vanilla and process again until crust sticks together. Press into a 23cm (9-inch) springform pan. Set aside.
  3. Make the filling by adding all of the ingredients, except the coconut oil, into a high-speed blender. Blend on high until everything is very creamy.
  4. Add the melted coconut oil to the filling mixture. Blend on high until the oil is well combined. Pour on top of the crust.
  5. Chill in the freezer for 2-4 hours or until set. Or place in the fridge overnight until ready to serve.

I’d best go and start on those exercises I’ve forgotten to do.

A cheesecake with no cheese

A cheesecake with no cheese

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Comments

  1. Please start those exercises, Charlie. My knees are shot, I’ve had 3 hip replacements and am putting off the 4th as long as possible, but at least I’m still walking, even if it’s not totally without discomfort. You really appreciate being able to do that when the alternatives are much less pleasant.

    The cheesecake looks beautiful.

  2. Poor you. I know how painful on your knees your hip being out can be. Perhaps you should try Slowly Slowly Catch A Monkey and use the treadmill for a while. Very interesting cheesecake, I have to try it, it’s full of great ingredients. GG

  3. This is my kind of cheesecake 🙂 It looks lovely Charlie – so smooth and beautifully presented.

    I’m glad you are feeling better even if the osteopath visit sounds traumatic in itself. Perhaps next year you can spend time with Alfie that doesn’t involve this run? 😉

  4. LOL glad you are finally doing the exercises, that is providing you didn’t get distracted between writing this post and starting them :). That cheesecake looks awesome, have a fantastic next week 🙂

  5. your cheesecake looks stunning – raw food never looked so good – sorry you aren’t so successful with the knees but hopefully with a little tlc they will get better

  6. Oh this looks delish I love a lemon cheesecake. I never do the exercises I’m given either until the ache or pain returns – we never learn do we?!

  7. I am glad to hear that you’re on the mend. This recipe is interesting and it sure does look rich and creamy.

  8. I’m glad you are one the mend! and this cheese cake looks good enough to eat 🙂 I’m still bit sceptical that it is a cheese cake with no cheese, but I may just have to give it a go as I think it will be very easy to make in the Thermomix! Thanks for sharing!
    Liz x

  9. Shashi @RunninSrilankan says:

    Glad you found a place to put your hands when you were being “steamrolled”! 🙂
    And your legs feeling better needed to be celebrated with this no cheese cheesecake! I have been seeing recipes popping up with raw cashews being used as a “cream
    of sorts and I am so intrigued by this cheesecake – it looks fabulous!
    Good luck with the prescribed exercises! xx

  10. I will definitely try this. It looks delicious.

  11. ahhh, sorry about your knees…
    but the cheesecake should make you feel a bit better, dear. xxx

  12. Oh dear, seems you have a quite a bit or re-coup ahead with your knees Charlie – how frustrating for you. I would no doubt promise to do the exercises and not do them – naughty I know! I can’t even get into stretching after running which is also no good as it seems to shorten my muscles quite a bit – well according to a massage therapist friend.
    The “cheesecake” looks and sounds fantastic – would love a slice.
    Have a happy week ahead.
    🙂 Mandy xo

  13. What a perfect looking “cheesecake.” Do take care of those knees…you don’t want to have to have them replaced. 🙂

  14. Charlie, I would seriously suggest that please do those exercises. Having busted joints simply gets worse, and it effects just not the mobility, but can have an adverse effect on longivity. Being women, our legs are already short changed because of lesser blood supply, thanks to our reproductive system, and to top it with joints that are out, repair should be top priority.
    Once your joints are back to performing, check out Tabatha exercises. Also, I think Zumba and Pilates are possibly the best gift that one can give to the body.
    Good luck! Of course, that cheesecake looks gorgeous.

  15. Raw cheesecake and no running is my kind of life.

  16. Hhhhmmm…non-dairy CHEESEcake, huh?!?! Interesting…. 😉 Is there anything you CAN’T do, Charlie?? Glad you’re feeling better!! xo

  17. ‘Yes but how old are your trophies….’ I think I might have smacked him or her at this point! Hope you are on the mend Charlie… love your cheesecake!

  18. I was really worried about that run. You do look 20 but I know you have kids older than that so maybe you forgot. 🙂

    What an amazing cake. Those ingredients are so cool! Did the kids like it?

  19. I haven’t tried a raw cheesecake before, and you do make it look nice and easy Charlie! I have 6 pages of exercises from my physio and hand therapist to do every day, and I know it can be a hassle and struggle for sure. Glad you’re starting to feel a bit more on top of things, but take care of those knees 🙂 xox

  20. This looks great! What sort of processor do you have? I’m trying to think if I have an S blade but I don’t think that I do. Whenever I try and process nuts they don’t get that smooth either 🙁

    • Hi Lorraine. I have the Sunbeam food processor that I finally was given as a Christmas present after not having one for about three years. It works really well and did a good job of the base. The filling asks for a blender to be used but I used my food processor and pulsed the cashews first then added the other ingredients. This gave the cheesecake a really smooth texture but not as smooth as if using cream cheese! But I don’t mind a bit of texture!

  21. Oh Charlie, be careful our bones and joints do not recover as easily as they used to. Take it easy and listen to your osteopath. Now this is one sublime cheesecake. I love the fact that it is vegan and so pretty just perfect to pin but the dilemna is which photo should I choose as they are all so pretty. Sorry it took me so long to make my rounds we have a lot going on on the homefront. Thanks for being so understanding. Have a super week.

  22. Ooh Charlie this looks wonderful! I hope you recover without too many more steam-rollers!

  23. Sweet Posy Dreams says:

    The cake looks divine. I was surprised to see a cup of coconut oil in the ingredients. I guess coconut oil is the latest healthy thing — it’s hard for me to keep up with these things. I can’t help it; I still like butter.

  24. Great job for a “cheeseless” cheesecake! I sooo adore the garnish!

    Julie
    Gourmet Getaways

  25. I’m so glad you’re feeling better! I was worried for you after the run! Cheesecake looks fabulous! 🙂

  26. I’m sorry to hear about your injury. That steamroller thing sounds terrible!

  27. Glad to hear your knee is better but it sucks that you have other issues! I hate going to see the doctors because they always come up with things that you didn’t know were wrong. 🙂 Better to know or not know? Well, now that you do know, keep up with those exercises!! A cheesecake with no dairy? Sounds like something I need. I bet that cup of coconut milk yields a great flavor and texture not to mention the health benefits. Thanks for sharing this!

  28. This looks superb. Just the thing for me to make for my Vegan friend who is celebrating a big birthday next weekend. 🙂

  29. Your poor knees! So crummy that it takes so long to recovery from an injury. Just doesn’t seem fair! Now your cheesecake is gorgeous and love all the healthy ingredients!

  30. I have wickedly bad knees (they need replacing) and haven’t run for years. But out of sheer stupidity and I admit, jealousy, I am trying to run again. Er, walk run. It makes me feel young, what can I say? And if the knees are shot anyway, why not:D Then I can have another slice of your cheesecake which is an “un”cheesecake and incredible looking!! I need one of those Vitamixes.. it would make this recipe so quick to make!! I’ve been whinging about getting a Vitamix since Christmas and no “one” seems to be listening:D

  31. I am glad to hear that you are feeling better – there is nothing worse than suffering from sore joints. I am intrigued by this cheesecake. I have seen a few recipes for raw cheesecakes before and have even bought the cashews to make one, but haven’t gotten around to it yet. This looks delish!

  32. A georgous tasty raw lmeon cheesecake & it looks very appetizing too!

    Good luck with your exercises! xxx

  33. Guilt free you say?! All over that like a bogan on his beer. 🙂

  34. Your poor knees–and other parts, Charlie. I hope you’ll listen to your osteopath’s advice and take better care of yourself. You must be having a hard time keeping up with your typical pace. And what a wonderful cheesecake. This is a perfect recipe for summer! Refreshing and no-bake!

  35. I’m so glad you are getting good treatment. Do look after those knees or you’ll have more trouble when you get old. The cheesecake recipe looks brilliant. I think it’s similar to one that my son makes.

  36. I’ve been saving this post in my inbox to read as soon as I had time. I’m totally intrigued by the idea of a raw, vegan cheesecake – particularly one that’s lemon! Delicious!!!! I can’t wait to try this one out.
    I’m glad your knees are feeling better. I too have had that steamroller thing. It’s definitely not a pleasant experience. And the pelvis out thing. I did six weeks of physical therapy at the end of which the showed me how to move things about and self-adjust. Now I just do that at home. Not sure why it took six weeks for them to show me that nifty little trick.

  37. I am glad you are being sensible about your poor knees. I like the way he asked how old your trophies were without actually mentioning your age. Very diplomatic.
    Nice looking dish but it has a whole heap of forbidden foods for me. Healthy for others though.

  38. I’m glad you’re no longer limping Charlie! And yes it may not be wise but i’m still very proud of you for doing it 🙂 You’re a rockstar for completing the 10km run!

    Ohhh this sound like a very healthy cheesecake and one that everyone can enjoy I also find it interesting that it uses almond milk and not coconut milk like the other raw, vegan cheesecakes i’ve seen ~

  39. I have been meaning to make a vegan cheesy recipe. I want try the cashews in the recipe, it sounds so nutty and delicious! Your cheesecake looks stunning! Hugs, Terra

  40. Imagine my excitement when I see the picture of this cheesecake on pinterest, raw and vegan!

    Except it’s not vegan. Vegans do not eat honey. Call it vegetarian or beegan, but not vegan. That’s misleading.

    And yes, some people say they are vegan and eat honey, but they aren’t. Vegans don’t eat anything that comes from an animal. Bees aren’t animals you might say, well look at biology. Everything can be divided into animal, mineral or vegetable. If bees aren’t minerals (and they are’t) and they aren’t vegetables (nope), then that only leaves animal.

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