I’m calling this both a cheesecake and a pie for lack of a closer dessert relative. It’s got all the elements of a cheesecake. Minus the dairy. Rich. Decadent. Creamy. Yum. That said, it doesn’t have the tang that a cheesecake has. More like a creamy pumpkin pie I guess?
But dang is it delicious.
Kinda odd to preface a dessert recipe like this but I just want to convey exactly what this dish is all about. So. Disclaimer: If you want a true [vegan] cheesecake, this is the recipe for you. It’ll wow vegans and non-vegans alike. But if you’re looking for something a little different – a fall treat that’s creamy and melt in your mouth good perhaps – then read on.
Pumpkin Cheesecake [vegan, gluten free]
Crust:
- 1/2 cup almond flour
- 1/2 cup oat flour
- 1/2 cup brown rice flour
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 5 tbsp vegan butter (Earth Balance)
Combine and mix dry ingredients. Add butter. Stir until uniform throughout.
Add to pie pan and press down to shape into crust. It helps to work from the center out to the edges.
Place in the fridge to chill while making the cheesecake portion.
Filling:
- 1 1/2 cups pureed cashews (I soaked ~2 cups of nuts in water overnight, prior to use I drained them and rinsed them, then I pureed them with some water until they were a creamy thick consistency)
- 1 1/4 cups pumpkin puree
- 12.3 oz. silken tofu (1 aseptic box)
- 1/3 cup maple syrup
- 1 tbsp vanilla
- 1 tsp pie spices (a combo of cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and cloves – you can make your own or buy the blend)
Puree the cashews in a food processor or really good blender. Then add the rest of the ingredients, one by one (pumpkin, tofu, syrup), pulsing to combine between each. Last add the spices and vanilla and blend some more. Once the cheesecake filling is entirely combined pour it into the chilled crust.
Bake for 25 minutes on 350, then 20 minutes on 250 (so the top doesn’t get burnt).
Let it cool entirely before serving. It’s easier to cut into when it’s chilled. I recommend making a day in advance of when you want to serve it so it can set completely in the fridge.
Substitutions/Notes:
- You could swap coconut oil for the vegan butter if you want.
- You could also use brown rice syrup in place of maple syrup. Suzanne’s Specialties makes delicious brown rice nectar in a variety of flavors (chocolate pumpkin cheesecake anyone?).
- The recipe isn’t overly sweet, so I recommend tasting the cheesecake filling first to see if it suits your taste buds – you may want to increase the syrup to 1/2 cup.
- Soaking the cashews is an essential step. The longer you soak them, the more silky smooth the filling will be. I put 2 hours as the minimum soak time, but I think a day is preferable. Be sure to rinse them well after soaking.
- You could try swapping macadamia nuts if you don’t like cashews, but if you have a tree nut allergy, I’m not sure that there’s a nut substitution I can recommend.
- The same goes for the tofu. Sorry to those with soy allergies/sensitivities, I don’t know of a substitution that will guarantee success.
- If you aren’t gluten intolerant, the crust can be made with wheat flour instead (same amount).
Enjoy!
When I read the title, I was almost hoping that there would be something that I didn’t like about the recipe — but it sounds perfect, tasty, and simple!!! I’m going to have to try this on my next day off (or maybe just make the interior as a super yummy snack!). Thank you, Elise, (yet again) for totally turning on my tastebuds’ anticipation!! 🙂
Um, you know the term coke whore?? I am that with pumpkin anything sweet……..So at your service madame.
I’ve never even had pumpkin pie because I don’t like the texture, but I’m pretty sure I’d be down for this one! Cashews and pumpkin are two of my favourite things ever!
This looks amazing!! I want to go throw some cashews in to soak right now but do you think it could come out as well with tofu in the refrigerated packs in water? I can’t find the aseptic packs around here anymore… If so you’ve made my belly very happy!!!
Yum yum yummo. This looks amazing. I’m just thinking of all the flavour variations you could try too… I think I shall make a Candida-friendly version… stevia and maybe lemon/coconut?
LOVE the crust recipe. Yummo.
2 slices to go please!
Yummy! You are so creative with your recipes and I love how you use substitution notes. If you hear of a tofu substitution I would love to know. Live and Shine CourtStar
Oh. my. gosh. yum. Can’t wait to make this!
I’ll have ninety.
Made this for dessert for (Canadian!) thanksgiving tonight and it turned out wonderfully. Super rich and tasty! Thanks 🙂
So creamy and rich looking! I’ve made pies with silken tofu and had great results but I’ve yet to experiment with soaked cashews.
ha. sorry to disappoint?!? 🙂 but yeah, you should definitely make this.
me too! fall is just too fun.
im not a fan of pumpkin pie either. this is more creamy. try it!
as long as the tofu is the soft kind it should be ok. just make sure you blend it really well. oh and drain the excess liquid out (but dont press it or anything).
give it a shot! im off stevia while preggo, but ill be back on the wagon as soon as this little baby boy comes out 🙂
i will – thanks courtstar!
happy canadian thanksgiving!! glad it was a hit!
NO.WAY! I guess it’s time for me to get a round pyrex pan as well. Gah! Can’t wait to see you tomorrow!!!
howd the race go??? are you all moved in now? cant wait to see you tomorrow!!
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Thanks, Elise! My boyfriend just asked for some pumpkin pie cheesecake for Thanksgiving and there was NO way I was making a real one…so now I’ll make this and it will be even better and blow everyone away! =)
hooray! enjoy 🙂
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