No Bake Gluten Free Chocolate Cheesecake

This chocolate cheesecake recipe is no bake, vegan friendly and a raw version of it's baked counterpart with a creamy filling made from whipped cashews and cacao spread over a gluten free walnut base. This dessert is perfect for the family to feast on or to bring to a potluck.

I first discovered this no bake low carb cheesecake on Megan's (Detoxinista) website. I followed her chocolate cheesecake recipe from scratch and what I loved about her version was the fact that she incorporated a zucchini (courgette) as part of the filling. This is a great way of including some healthy vegetables into your diet.

This was an unique approach to raw cheesecakes, maybe she wasn't the pioneer of such ingenuity, but regardless of whomever thought of this concept - I would like to thank you as the results were divine. 

As previously mentioned, my gluten free chocolate cheesecake recipe is inspired by Megan's recipe I couldn't resist revisiting this cheesecake because I'm such a huge fan of no bake chocolate desserts. Therefore I wouldn't miss the opportunity to chime in with my own version.

I told my co-worker about my cheesecake as she is trying to lead a more healthier lifestyle. I certainly don't impose my beliefs onto others and leave people to make their own autonomous decision about what they choose to eat.

Anyway, she quickly became intrigued and asked me to bring a sample into work the next day. The next day I brought a small helping for her to try and I kid you not she loved it to the extent to where, she had asked me nicely to make a large one for herself and family.

If you are a fan of this no bake gluten free chocolate cheesecake recipe then don't forget to check out my Pineapple Cheesecake or alternatively, you might like the No bake Mango Cheesecake Recipe

How to make no bake chocolate cheesecake

Baking tin - For this recipe I used a 9"inch springform pan. This achieves a tart style cheesecake. If you want a deeper filling then use a smaller i.e 6'' pan instead

The base - is made from walnuts, shredded coconut, coconut nectar, pink salt and coconut oil. The nuts are ground using a food processor with the help of the wet ingredients (nectar and coconut oil) to aid the breaking down process. There is no need to pre-soak the walnuts and almonds can be used in place of walnuts.

You want the ingredients to turn into a crumb mixture so it looks like what would be a typical conventional cheesecake base.

If you want to make a chocolate base cheesecake to turn this into a no bake double chocolate cheesecake recipe. Then simply add 2tbsp of cacao along with your base ingredients.

The filling - the filling is made from several ingredients including cashews, cacao, coconut nectar, coconut oil, nutmeg, vanilla, pink salt and zucchini.

All of these aforementioned ingredients need to be whipped up in a high speed blender into a smooth consistency. For best results, do make sure to soak the cashew nuts before hand so they blend with ease.

I find that the creaminess of the cashews and softness from the zucchini creates a velvet smooth texture. The addition of a vegetable is a brilliant way to get non-vegetable lovers to eat their veggies plus it optimises healthy properties.

The steps

Pulse the base ingredients into a crumb then pat it down evenly with the back of a spoon into the base of a spring form pan

Prepare the filling in a blender, blend until smooth then pour onto the base prior to freezing.

Storing the cheesecake

Another thing I should mention, which is very important, is storage. The coconut oil in the filling is a semi solid oil which acts as a stabiliser, at room temperature it begins to liquefy.

As a consequence of this I would suggest keeping the cheesecake in the freezer just as I suggest in my Guava Cheesecake.

The cheesecake filling won't completely freeze through, it will just become more firm which is normal.

Can you use a nut free alternative for making the crust?

Yes, use oats in place of walnuts or make a gluten free base from crackers/cookies (biscuits)

How can you make the filling nut free?

Use organic tofu or vegan cream cheese

What other Chocolate desserts should I try?

Chocolate Avocado Ice Cream

Vegan Chocolate Chia Pudding

Vegan Avocado Chocolate Mousse

Avocado Chocolate Crumble

Notes and tips 

• This recipe is dairy free friendly and paleo, raw with no gluten
• For best results store in the freezer
• The cheesecake filling will be semi-solid and thaw out quite quickly so serve immediately
• Use a 6'' spring form pan for a deeper filling or 9'' pan for a thin tart cheesecake (as shown)
• Zucchini is also known as a courgette in the UK
• High speed food processor is recommended to completely grind all ingredients
• Cheesecake will soften at room temperature
•  The cheesecake makes approximately 6-8 portions

More healthy delicious desserts to try

**Don't forget to comment below and star rate if you have tried my recipes. Let's be friends and engage on Facebook and Instagram I also like to pin on Pinterest, where you can find more amazing recipes.**

No Bake Gluten Free Chocolate Cheesecake

Learn to make the best chocolate cheesecake that's free from gluten and vegan friendly

0 from 0 votes

Print Pin Rate

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: American

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 10 minutes

Total Time: 20 minutes

Servings: 8 servings

Calories: 572kcal

Author: Charla

Ingredients

For the crust

• ▢ 2 cups of walnuts or almonds will do
• ▢ 2 tbsp of coconut oil
• ▢ 3 tbsp of shredded coconut
• ▢ ¼ cup of coconut nectar or agave, maple or stevia, erythritol for a keto option
• ▢ ⅛ tsp of Himalayan pink salt

For the filling

• ▢ 2 cups of raw cashews soaked overnight
• ▢ 1 zucchini peeled and chopped
• ▢ ½ cup of raw cacao powder
• ▢ ¼ cup of coconut oil melted
• ▢ ½ cup of coconut nectar can use agave, maple, stevia or erythritol for a keto option
• ▢ ½ tsp of nutmeg
• ▢ ½ tsp of vanilla extract or powder
• ▢ ⅛ tsp of himalayan pink salt

Instructions

• Remove the base of the springform pan and use a pen/pencil to draw around the circumference. Cut out the circle you have drawn and use grease or spray to firmly adhere it to the bottom of the pan and set aside.
• Using a food processor with an S blade, grind the walnuts into a fine meal.
• Add the remaining ingredients to the walnut crumb and pulse, you should be left with a slightly moist pliable dough. This will serve as the base of your cheesecake.
•  Press the crust ingredients down firmly to the bottom of the pan and spread evenly using the back of a spoon then set aside
• Pulse the cashew nuts into a fine meal on high speed.
• Slowly add the zucchini, nutmeg, coconut nectar, cacao powder and pink salt to the food processor. Process until a creamy consistency is formed.
• Lastly, add the coconut oil and blend until all ingredients are fully combined.
• Pour and evenly spread the filling onto the cheesecake base
• Leave to freeze for at least 8 hours or overnight until firm.
• Remove from freezer 10-15 minutes prior to serving, run a knife around the perimeter of the cheesecake to ease removal.

Notes

• This recipe is dairy free friendly and paleo, raw with no gluten
• For best results store in the freezer
• The cheesecake filling will be semi-solid and thaw out quite quickly so serve immediately
• Use a 6'' spring form pan for a deeper filling or 9'' pan for a thin tart cheesecake (as shown)
• Zucchini is also known as a courgette in the UK
• High speed food processor is recommended to completely grind all ingredients
• Cheesecake will soften at room temperature
•  The cheesecake makes approximately 6-8 portions

Nutrition

Calories: 572kcal | Carbohydrates: 39g | Protein: 12g | Fat: 45g | Saturated Fat: 15g | Sodium: 90mg | Potassium: 565mg | Fiber: 5g | Sugar: 23g | Vitamin A: 49IU | Vitamin C: 5mg | Calcium: 84mg | Iron: 4mg

Tried this Recipe? Tag me Today!Mention @ThatGirlCooksHealthy or tag #ThatGirlCooksHealthy!