by 
This no-bake Layered Blueberry Vegan Cheesecake is simple to make, Paleo and gluten-free, and a total stunner! Made with soaked cashews and full-fat canned coconut milk, the cheesecake layers are lusciously smooth and creamy with a tart, fruity topping. The date-based cheesecake crust is also gluten-free.
Looking at the pictures of this no-bake layered blueberry cheesecake makes me seriously giddy inside! Isn’t she a beauty?!
I’m pretty sure no-bake, raw vegan cheesecake recipes are my new favorite thing. While I’ve always loved a good no-bake dessert recipe, the love affair with cheesecakes *specifically* began when I realized how beautiful and photogenic they can be after photographing this raspberry cheesecake for my friend Monica, and then this citrus-topped lemon cheesecake stunner. I think this blueberry version is my latest favorite, though. Not only is it so pretty with those layers, but it tastes ridiculously good.
I also have some fabulous no-bake vegan cheesecakes in my best-selling cookbook, Bakerita! Mocha chip cheesecake or salted caramel cheesecake, anyone?! Both recipes are in the book :D
How do you make a vegan cheesecake?
If you’ve had a vegan, cashew-based cheesecake – you know how good they are. If not, let me initiate you!
Like my other raw cheesecakes, this one is made with CASHEWS as the base! If you’re skeptical about cashews’ ability to replace luxuriously creamy cream cheese, you wouldn’t be the first. I was skeptical for a while…until I tried it. The raw cashews are soaked in water, which helps them blend into a luxuriously creamy cheesecake base that is so delicious!
For the crust
We use a simple pecan & date-based crust for this recipe. It’s lightly sweetened with the dates and flavored with cinnamon, which pairs so well with the blueberry flavors in the filling. The crust is lightly sweet, chewy, and crunchy!
If you don’t have or don’t like pecans, any other nut or seed will work here too.
How to make vegan blueberry cheesecake filling:
To start, soak the cashews for 8 hours. They’ll become incredibly soft and creamy, and the soaking will help them blend easily into the most luxurious, creamy filling you can imagine.
- Raw Cashews: These are the stars, and they’re what give us an ultra-luxurious creamy cheesecake filling.
- Full-fat Canned Coconut Milk: for extra creaminess and to help our cashews blend smoothly.
- Coconut Oil: I like using refined coconut oil for no coconut flavor. Don’t substitute this with another oil—the solidifying properties of coconut oil help the cheesecake hold its shape.
- Maple Syrup: our sweetener of choice! Any liquid sweetener you love will work.
- Lemon Juice: adds a cheesecake-y tang.
- Vanilla Extract
- Freeze-Dried Blueberries: for that vibrant blue color and flavor!
All together, these make a pretty damn close replica of the cheesecake you know and love.
This one removes all those refined sugars and dairy, though, and makes a “cheesecake” that will actually fill you up and give you some nutrients. Such a win! This vegan and paleo cheesecake will certainly satisfy that cheesecake craving.
What gives the blueberry flavor?
Half of the filling has freeze-dried blueberries blended right into it! That’s what gives the top layer that gorgeous blue color and a mellow blueberry flavor.
Freeze-dried blueberries are different from dried or frozen blueberries. They’ve had the moisture removed from them, so they add flavor and color but no extra moisture. It’s important you use freeze-dried blueberries; otherwise, the flavor won’t be as strong, and the texture will be off.
How to assemble blueberry vegan cheesecake
The freeze-dried blueberry cheesecake layer is spread over the first creamy vanilla layer. Then, it all goes into the freezer to harden up while you make the final layer.
We add a final burst of blueberry layer with a quick blueberry jam-like topping. It helps brighten up the richness of the cashew-based layers. There’s no sweetener! To make it, blend blueberries with a touch of lemon juice and chia seeds to help thicken it up.
This no-bake layered blueberry cheesecake is definitely going to be a new favorite around here. The rich and creamy cheesecake layers are hard to resist —especially once you add the tangy, jammy blueberry topping!
How to store no-bake vegan blueberry cheesecake:
You can store this vegan cheesecake in the refrigerator or freezer. It will keep in the refrigerator for one week or in the freezer for at least six months!
Store it in an airtight container to ensure it lasts and doesn’t absorb other odors from the refrigerator or freezer.
To serve from frozen, let it thaw at room temperature for about an hour or overnight in the refrigerator. This will help it soften to a delicious, creamy consistency you’ll love.
Want more vegan paleo cheesecake recipes?!
- No-Bake Vanilla Bean Cheesecake
- Vegan No-Bake Mint Chip Cheesecake
- No-Bake Chai Cheesecake Bars
- Strawberry Shortcake Bars
Layered Blueberry Vegan Cheesecake (Paleo)
Ingredients
For the crust
- ½ cup (65g) raw pecans
- ½ cup (48g) almond flour
- 2 pitted dates
- 2 tablespoons (25g) coconut oil
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
For the cheesecake
- 2 cups (240g) raw cashews, soaked in cold water for at least four hours or preferably overnight (see Notes)
- ½ cup (114g) canned coconut milk, shaken
- ¼ cup (50g) coconut oil, melted and cooled (use refined coconut oil if you want no coconut flavor)
- ⅓ cup (111g) pure maple syrup
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract, or ½ teaspoon vanilla bean powder
- ¼ cup (10g) freeze-dried blueberries
For the blueberry layer
- 1 cup fresh or frozen blueberries, thawed, if frozen
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon chia seeds
Instructions
- Grease a 6” springform pan with coconut oil, or line an 6-inch cake pan with strips of parchment paper for easy removal, and grease well with coconut oil. Set aside.
- Add the pecans, almond flour, pitted dates, coconut oil, cinnamon and salt to a food processor or high-powered blender and pulverize until it comes together into a sort of sticky dough, with small pecan bits remaining. Don’t over process, or it’ll turn into nut butter! Press the pecan date dough evenly along the bottom of the prepared pan.½ cup (65g) raw pecans, ½ cup (48g) almond flour, 2 pitted dates, 2 tablespoons (25g) coconut oil, 1 teaspoon cinnamon, ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
- In the same food processor or high-powered blender (no need to wash between – I used my Vitamix, but most powerful blenders should do the job), combine all of the filling ingredients except for the freeze dried blueberries and blend for about 2 minutes, or until the mixture is silky smooth and creamy. Scrape down the sides as necessary. You may need to add a bit more coconut milk or lemon juice to get it to blend smoothly if your blender isn’t super high-powered.2 cups (240g) raw cashews, ½ cup (114g) canned coconut milk, ¼ cup (50g) coconut oil, ⅓ cup (111g) pure maple syrup, 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice, 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- Once it’s smooth, taste the mixture and adjust the sweetness/tartness levels by adding more maple syrup, vanilla, or lemon juice, if desired.
- Pour 2/3 of the filling into the prepared pan over the pecan crust. Smooth out the top and tap the pan hard against the counter a few times to release any air bubbles. Place in the freezer. If you want super clean layers, let it freeze for about an hour or until firm before adding the blue layer on top.
- Add the freeze-dried blueberries to the remaining batter and blend to incorporate. Spread over the plain layer. Return to the freezer.¼ cup (10g) freeze-dried blueberries
- Rinse out the blender, and add the fresh blueberries, lemon juice and chia seeds to it. Blend until smooth, and then pour over the other layers.1 cup fresh or frozen blueberries, 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice, 1 tablespoon chia seeds
- Place in the freezer to set for at least 3 hours or until completely firm before slicing and serving. I recommend running your knife under hot water to warm it up before cutting the cheesecake with the still-hot (dried) knife.
- You can let thaw for about 20 minutes from frozen at room temperature, or for the best texture, transfer to the refrigerator at least an hour before serving. Store in the refrigerator for up to 5 days, or in the freezer for up to 2 weeks.
Notes
Tips & FAQs
- You can also cover the cashews in very hot/boiling water and let them sit for about an hour if you want to speed up the process – it won’t be quite as creamy and may need to blend for longer, but it will do the trick!
- If you want to use an 8″ springform pan, you’ll want to double the recipe.
Could you use strawberries instead of blueberries?
Hi Liz, you definitely could! That would be delicious. Enjoy!
Made it yesterday and it tasted good!
So glad you enjoyed it, Inge!
Hi! I’m hoping to make this for my daughters 2nd bday as we have lots of food allergies so its hard to find something very special with ingredients we can have- one question is whether you think I could substitute something else for the almond flour as we can’t do almonds? Ground pecans, perhaps?
Hi Emily, you can definitely just use ground pecans in place of the almond flour in the crust. So glad you found a recipe you can all have, I hope it’s a hit!
Hello! This looks amazing. Can I use frozen blueberries/fresh blueberries instead?
I’d appreciate your help!
Hi Yani, do you mean instead of the freeze dried? You can, but it won’t be the same vibrant color and the flavor won’t be quite as strong.
This looks Devine! Going to make this tomorrow for a special birthday…Will light coconut milk make a difference? Also, if I wanted to use a 9inch spring form do you know what the measurements would be?
Thanks so much!
Hi Meredith, full fat coconut milk sets up better but light will likely be fine. For a 9-inch pan, I’d 1.5x the recipe, or even double it to make sure it’s thick enough. Enjoy!
Hi…this looks amazing and I can’t wait to try and make it! I just have one question….what did you soak the cashews in? On the directions it just says “soaked in cold”
Thanks,
Amy
Whoops, that should say soaked in cold water! Fixing it now. Hope you love the recipe, Amy!
Do you happen to know how many calories it has?
Hi Jennifer, you can insert the recipe link here: myfitnesspal.com/recipe_parser to calculate the nutritional information.
I made this beautiful cheesecake tonight for a celebration on september 9th!
UGHHH and then i read the last note that said
Store in the freezer for up to 2 weeks.!!!!
What happens if it is 2 weeks plus 6 days stored in the freezer? Will it still be good???
please advise having a large party and must know what to do
Hi Julia! It will definitely be fine for those extra six days – the two weeks are just a guideline, but I’ve had similar cheesecakes stay good in the freezer for longer. I hope it’s a hit!
Do you have any suggestions of what I can use in place of the dates? (Can’t do bananas or maple syrup either)
Hi Marina, are you vegan? If not, you could use honey in place of the dates. You could also try using another dried fruit, like apricots or another sticky dried fruit (rehydrate in hot water if necessary).
This recipe looks devine, just bought everything but can’t find almond flour in any stores nearby – i have regular flour, rice flour, corn flour, or chestnut flour, do you think one of these could do? looking forward to doing this tomorrow!
Hi Camille, if you have almonds or another kind of nut you like, that would work better than regular flours since it’s not baked and you don’t want a gritty texture. Just pulse the nuts in your food processor or blender to break them up before adding the rest of the ingredients. Enjoy!
worked brilliantly, thank you! made this with frozen rasberries, everyone loved it!
So thrilled to hear they were a hit! Thanks for your feedback Camille.
Is the vanilla essential? I’m out of town and don’t have any on hand. Maybe just add more lemon?
Also, can I sub almonds for pecans for the crust?
You can definitely use almonds instead of pecans for the crust. You can skip the vanilla, it shouldn’t be too huge of a deal. Taste it after blending and add more lemon if you think it needs a little more flavor.