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Raw Cheesecake

Not just any raw cheesecake, either.

Raw Banana Split Cheesecake with a hot chocolate crust!

raw vegan cheesecake

Vegan raw cheesecake

Don’t let the long name fool you; this “cheesecake” could not be easier–or quicker–to make!

Raw Banana Split Cheesecake

(If you want a traditional-sized cake, double the recipe)

  • 1 cup raw cashews (120g)
  • 1/2 tsp pure vanilla extract
  • 1/2 a medium banana
  • 1 tsp lemon juice
  • scant 1/8 tsp salt
  • 1 tbsp water
  • Sugar of choice to taste OR 15-20 vanilla stevia drops
  • Optional: you can add cocoa powder for a chocolate cheesecake!! Or, take a cue from reader, Valerie, and replace the lemon juice with lime for raw key lime pie!

Soak the cashews in water overnight, then drain completely. Pat dry. Blend everything very, very well in a Vita-mix or comparable high-speed blender (20 seconds to a minute, or even more if you want a super-creamy cheesecake). You can eat it now, or you can put it in the freezer for later.  Frozen, it’ll keep for weeks, and it thaws perfectly.

cheeze_thumb1

Edit: Check out my other raw cheesecake: Secret Veggie Cheesecake.

As the title suggests, it packs in a veggie serving… but I swear you can’t taste it! 😉

Published on March 5, 2010

Meet Katie

Chocolate Covered Katie is one of the top 25 food websites in America, and Katie has been 
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ABC's 5 O’Clock News. Her favorite food is chocolate, and she believes in eating dessert every single day.

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189 Comments

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  1. theprocessofhealing says

    OH Katie, YUM!!! Cheesecake is like one of my favorite things ever. So darn good. I will have to try that! I have very little experience (aka, zero experience) with making my own raw food.

  2. Jessica says

    I’ve never made a raw cheesecake because all the recipes I’ve heard of sound so complicated. But yours looks do-able, even for me! I’ll let you know when I make it, which will hopefully be really soon!

  3. eatandrun says

    Just the name alone has me running for the nearest grocery store.
    What would I want to make raw? How about creme brulee!

  4. McKella says

    That looks amazing. As soon as it stops snowing, I’m going to restock my cashews. Used them all up making fudge babies. Oops.
    I want to rawify oreos, and I think I can. Maybe make a soaked cashew frosting and smush it between two flattened out fudge babies…yeah, I think that will work. 🙂

  5. Sonia @ Master of Her Romaine says

    OMG OMG OMG…Oh why oh why did I have to read this while I was at work? I have everything to make it at home!

    I cannot wait to try this! My dad used to make a raw dessert for me when I was younger that had a flax based crust, filled with blueberries with the raw cashew mousse type thing poured over the top. HEAVEN! It looks like yours!

  6. Bekka says

    Oh please send some to me! Please please please!
    I’ve always wanted to try a raw cheesecake but never have.

  7. blissfulbellas says

    two words= yes please! 😀

    making this as soon as i get back to college tmrw where i froze a couple of bananas so they would survive the week i was away for spring break…cant wait! (for the cheesecake that is…not so much on the returning to school lol)
    -Lena

  8. todayslady says

    This looks so amazing!!! I’ve never made a dessert with soaked cashews before and just this morning I was thinking of trying it. This looks like the perfect recipe to start with! I’m convinced that it was meant to be 🙂

  9. Betherann says

    Yum!!! I’m coming to your place for dessert tonight.

    As for raw desserts, I’d love to see:

    – pecan pie
    – apple pie (my favorite pie!)
    – macaroons

    Yummo. 🙂

  10. Amy @ Everything is Homemade says

    I’m speechless. I wish I could make this NOW.

    I have no idea what I would make raw. I have zero experience with raw cooking. A cupcake would be nice, but not sure that’s possible!

    EE – I was going to ask about the chopsticks too. 😉

  11. Jessica (PB & Jess) says

    Tantalizing pics today!! I made a raw chocolate strawberry cheesecake awhile back and it was a real crowd pleaser.

    I’d really like to try raw pizza. I’ve seen pictures in the blog world and it always looks so amazing!

  12. Katie says

    I don’t think I’d have the patience to wait for that to solidify. I’d probably stick my face in the vita mix and slurp it up.

  13. Marina says

    omg. I have to make this. Thank god it doesn’t have any silken tofu, or guar guar, or sth else I can find nowhere. I can actually make this!!!

  14. Kelsey says

    Oh wow, you weren’t kidding, Katie! The timing was perfect! I’m even more excited because I soaked some (1/2 cup) cashews last night and I froze a medium-sized banana, just in case your recipe called for it. And it did! 🙂 Yayyy, I’m totally going to make this today. I’m so excited. Thank you! 🙂

  15. vegangal says

    you weren’t kidding about the food porn were you? this looks like the best thing i’ve seen in a long while. might just have to make it when i go home for spring break. i don’t know if i can wait tat long!

    • Chocolate-Covered Katie says

      Hi Laura!
      I’ve only made it with cashews. I’m sure subbing almonds would yield a yummy result, but it would be much different and probably would taste nothing like cheesecake. But let me know how it turns out if you try it! 🙂

  16. The Brunette says

    That DEFINITELY is food porn. Luckily, I have a whole load of bananas sitting in my freezer, begging to be used up. Raw cheesecake it is. Happy weekend 🙂

  17. Heather Eats Almond Butter says

    Please come to Nashville and make this. I have all the ingredents + Vita-Mix ready. 🙂

    P.S. There is a jar of Artisana coconut butter in our cabinet with your name on it. I’ll hide it from CD. HURRY!

  18. nicole says

    Ok I made this! I’m probably the first one, I didn’t even bother to let the cashews soak overnight, that’s how eager I was to make it! But they worked just fine soaking for about 3 hours.

    OHMYGOSHOHMYGOSH!!! Tastes just like real cheesecake only BETTER!!!!!!!!
    Katie you are my HERO!!!!!! I used the version two of the fudge baby crust. There’s almost none left. (I shared)
    Will definitely be making more!

  19. Danielle says

    Um, YES PLEASE 🙂

    I’m loving raw desserts- they’re easy to make, healthy, and delicious! I would love a raw version of buckeyes (have you ever had those??)

  20. Kere says

    After seeing your cheesecake, I am really craving frozen peppermint cheesecake! The banana looks so creamy and lush!
    Hmmm, I bet your crust would be delish with peppermint! (not with the banana though 😉

  21. Marianne says

    I bet if you still wanted the chocolate, but didn’t want to make the crust, you could always add some cocoa powder to the filling. Mmmm.

  22. Cindy says

    Hi Katie!!

    I am on a low gi thing again, so all these desserts you guys make are KILLLING ME!!!

    that cheesecake I might just make and make less sweet…. I adore cheesecake, of any kind.

    can you raw-ify a good toll house cookie? 🙂

    Have a great weekend!

  23. Serena says

    I love raw cheesecake..one of the BEST desserts ever.
    Can you raw-ify chocolate lava cake? Or peach cobbler? hmmm… 😀

  24. Averie (LoveVeggiesAndYoga) says

    looks like the one i make, just with the 1/2 of banana added…wow I bet that makes it really creamy and awesome! yum!!!

  25. Averie (LoveVeggiesAndYoga) says

    ok I just re-read that…girl, no agave? is it bitter at all with the lemon juice or does the banana take care of it? Ok wait you have stevia in there. Sorry, it’s 2:10am. I need to be in bed not commenting 🙂
    xoox

  26. Catherine says

    Can you say food porn?? I’ve been so bummed recently because my office blocks this website for somereason so I don’t get to read it as much as I used to 🙁 Then again, who could concentrate at work when you’re looking at pictures of raw cheese cake?

    Hmm I’d want to rawify York peppermint patties. Those are my biggest weakness in the entire world!

  27. Catherine says

    Can you say food porn?? I’ve been so bummed recently because my office blocks this website for some reason so I don’t get to read it as much as I used to 🙁 Then again, who could concentrate at work when you’re looking at pictures of raw cheese cake?

    Hmm I’d want to rawify York peppermint patties. Those are my biggest weakness in the entire world!

  28. Tracie @hollafoodzone says

    Oh girl -you’ve outdone yourself on this one – it DOES look simple! Thanks again for another genius dessert idea!

  29. Lauren says

    This looks awesome! I am a pie person… so as some of your other readers suggested… I would wan to try an apple pie.

  30. Valerie says

    Ok I’m coming back to say I’ve made it! I’d send you a piece, but it’s all gone! Thanks for a fabulous recipe, Katie!

    I used agave and it was just perfectly sweet. Oh and I have to share the adaptation I did: I used lime juice in place of the lemon and it turned out like RAW KEY LIME PIE! Oh so good!

  31. Katie says

    Holy Yum! I wish I liked bananas more. I don’t dislike them, but I don’t love the flavor in desserts. Any suggestions as to what I could replace it with? Tofu maybe? On second thought, everything you make is delicious, so I’m sure I would love this version, too. 🙂

  32. Jenny says

    hey boo boo! I actually really want to try this recipe today (I’m in dire need of some comfort food.. meh) but am all out of cashews. Do you think almonds would work?!?

  33. Healthy Heather says

    I could write a whole book about how awesome your recipes are, Katie. Speaking of which, when are YOU going to come out with a book? 😉
    I’ve made this particular recipe before, but this time I did something different: I added cocoa powder to the mix, and also a little extra agave to counter the tartness of the extra cocoa and give it a little more liquid. I put it in a regular (not raw) pie shell, and added a few almonds because I also added almond extract to the mix. In short, this recipe ROCKED MY SOCKS off! I could totally feel comfortable serving this at a party full of omnivores! 🙂
    I sent you a photo of my creation too. Sorry, the photo doesn’t do it justice. Take my word for it, this raw cheesecake is AWESOME!

  34. Anonymous says

    i keep staring at this..the frosting looks like life slash heaven in frosting form. As you can probably tell i love frosting 😀

  35. Bethany-Boo-Boo says

    Hiya Katie, longtime reader here, without a blog of my own. I am a self-professed raw food dessert ADDICT, especially when it comes to cheesecake. So I just wanted to let you know that I made yours last night and OMG it’s the best one I’ve ever tasted!!! How do you do it?

    To thank you for creating and sharing such a great recipe, I wanted to share one of my own with you. I know it sounds a little weird, but just go with me here: Zucchini Cheesecake.
    Here’s whatcha do: soak 1 cup of cashews and 1/2 a cup of almonds. Add in a liberal amount of agave. Then blend this all together with 2 tablespoons of lemon juice, 1/4 teaspoon of salt, a pinch of nutmeg, and 1/4 teaspoon of vanilla extract. Then blend 1/4 cup of raw zucchini into the mix and freeze. I swear you can’t taste the zucchini!

  36. Jesse From Midwest Vegan says

    Cookies because it’s like eating cookie dough, but without the salmonella.

    This cheesecake looks heavenly though! I might make a frozen one sometime soon as all these raw cheesecake recipes have been calling my name. 🙂

  37. Rebecca says

    Yay! I’m glad you were having that contest for the cookbook because I seem to have missed this post at some point! Yay..and soy-free : ) (I am an avoider so finding soy-free is great for me!)

    Thanks again for the awesome recipes!

  38. Monica says

    Oh. My. Gosh. That look heavenly. Just too heavenly.

    I would consider myself technology savvy, but maybe not as much as others. I know more than my parents about technology, so I guess thats good enough 🙂

  39. Gloria says

    I’m a huge fan of raw desserts! Raw cheesecake is one of my favorites and my own recipe of raw banana oatmeal chip cookies are in the dehydrator as we speak 😉 But I’d LOVE to rawify carrot cake!

  40. Demelza says

    Not sure how it’d be managed, but I’d like to raw-ify angel food cake. 😛 It’s my favoriiiite.
    Or maybe cream puffs. 😮

  41. Jen says

    I would love to raw-ify banana nut bread (with chocolate chips!), making sure that it’s neither squishy like a Larabar or too crunchy. I’m sure someone out there in the vegan universe has already done this, but I’ll dream about it just the same… 🙂

  42. Kim says

    What recipe would I like to rawify? Definitely Nanaimo Bars, although since they aren’t baked in the end it should be fairly easy to do. The only cooking comes in making the custard-based filling and I’m sure there are instant versions of that! The only difficulty might be in making them vegan. If they can be made even a smidge less unhealthy I’d be soo happy!

  43. frediazzi says

    Love your blog and recipes, Katie!
    I would love to raw-ify banana bread, apple pie, and chocolate brownies (though I believe I’ve already seen all of these raw-ified on other websites and blogs).

  44. Alice B says

    I’ve been following your blog for a while and haven’t commented yet. You write so entertainingly and all your recipes look delicious.

    I think I’d like to raw-ify… Tim Tams. (These are delicious, but non-raw and non-vegan, chocolate biscuits that are very popular in here in Australia).

    And caramel slice, too.

  45. Victoria says

    Looks amazing, you are such a genius with the “cooking.”
    I’d love to raw-ify brownies OR apple pie (gluten-free it, too!).
    yum yum, keep up the awesome work

  46. eatmovelove says

    I have only started eating cheesecake this summer – and am in love! I’m also looking for something to do with my bananas…;)

    Dessert to Raw-ify? Well…carrot cake with cream cheese frosting…like a really, really good one 😉

  47. Ashley C says

    I would have never even thought of this!! seriously though this looks amazing, im going to have to try it!! I love all your post!!!

  48. Danielle says

    It’s been my dream to re-create raw cinnamon rolls for quite some time…just thinking about their gooey cinnamon interior drenched in a luscious creamy icing…Mmmm…raw would be so amazing, but tricky I bet. I’m sure you could do it with coconut butter! 🙂

  49. Raquel says

    I would love to raw-ify chocolate silk triple layer cake, if I could. I’m just not sure it could be done in a way that would taste the same as the one I love.

  50. Arielle says

    Uuuuum, I think this will be my birthday cake, Katie! YUM! I really want to raw-ify German Blackforest Cake – I think it would be divine with cashew cream.

  51. Jillian says

    Hi Katie! This looks SUPER yummy! If I could raw-ify a dessert I would try to make a gluten free raw carrot cake that tastes like the original…with icing, of course! I don’t remember loving carrot cake BEFORE I found out I was allergic to gluten, but now I really want it!! 🙂

  52. Courtney says

    It’s hard to think of a dessert that hasn’t already been done raw, but I think I would have to say cupcakes, because I LOVE frosting 🙂

  53. Amber Shea @Almost Vegan says

    I’d made raw cupcakes before, but I wish there were a better way to get a lighter texture from a raw cake!

  54. Stef says

    Looks delicious!
    I really want to try raw desserts. I actually have Jeniffer Cornbleets first book about raw recipes and they are great!

  55. Kassi says

    Oh this looks so good! I love the fudge-baby crust. I am going to have to make this, for sure. (I keep meaning to get raw cashews but always convince myself otherwise. Why? I have no idea…)

  56. Anna says

    I love raw cheesecake but I make its extra chocolaty and peanut buttery with fresh coconut grated over top and in the crust. I really want to make a raw tiramisu! I’m not sure how (this does not include the amazing tiramisu babies of course!)

  57. Laura E says

    Thanks for the opportunity! I’d love to make raw chocolate chip cookie brownies! Those were my favorite as a kid! Ok..and now 🙂

  58. Laura says

    Hmm, I have a baby blog that’s about to change, and don’t know how to link yet!!!! But I’ll try later.

    For now, I would love to raw-ify Key Lime Pie. Now I know these things exist already, I just haven’t made one yet. There’s a place near me that sells nothing but key lime pie, and it’s amazing, but not vegan and definitely not raw. It’s tough to resist though.

    Also, I think Pumpkin Pie Cheesecake would be amazing raw!!! MMMM, now that’s the one.

    I’ve ordered a raw lemon cheesecake for my birthday too. I SHOULD make it myself, but hey, it’s my birthday!

    Ooh, I hope I win. I think I have uncooking tools coming for my birthday too…

  59. Chris Braunmuller says

    oh my that pie…mmmmm!! yes pls i want to enter this cookbook contest!! im mainly raw…and if i win this will be my 1st cookbook!! 😀

  60. Lucy says

    I would like to rawify chocolate chip cookies. Theres probalby already a recipe but that sounds godo to me:) Hope I win the raw cookbook!!!

  61. traviesa says

    When I first went vegan. my friends made me a vegan birthday cake made out of raspberries and chocolate. I wish I would have asked them for the recipe, but I never did. After plenty of experience with raw foods, I’m almost certain that it was not only vegan, but raw! It was amazing and I’ve since looked for a raw/vegan chocolate raspberry ‘cake’ that is the same or better with no luck.

    I’d definitely make a raw chocolate raspberry ‘cake’ if I could! YUM. I have dreams about that birthday cake.

  62. Dorothyrose says

    I would love to see a raw version of chocolate bread pudding, or at least something that has the same texture, it seems tough to do without bread!

  63. Gretchen says

    I love to surprise people with things that are delicious and made with simple and/or raw and/or veggie/vegan ingredients. for some reason I have yet to understand, people think that adding gelatin and preservatives and things cooked and mangled to death from their original form to recipies (and deserts) will make them better?? silly, silly mislead eaters!
    love your food and know what it’s made of!

    I’d love to rawify (and veggie-ify where necessary) delicious chocolatey things, and still make them retain their deep texture and reallll chocolate flavor.
    i’m a dark chocolate girl. moist cupcakes, cake, ice cream (that doesn’t taste like just bananas and cocoa/protein powder… real creamy chocolate!)

  64. Liz says

    What about raw apple or pumpkin pie? That could be really yummy! If you can’t tell I am really excited for fall, I can’t wait for pumpkin everything!!!!

  65. elaine says

    i love this question because i think about it quite often! i would love to rawify french macarons! they are my kryptonite!

  66. Brooke says

    That looks absolutely delicious!! Looks like I’ll be stopping on the way home from work for some walnuts!!!! 🙂

    I LOVE trying out all sorts of raw versions of desserts. One that might be good to test out would definitely be a Tiramisu! I heart Tiramisu but haven’t enjoyed it in a long time! TIME FOR A RAW VERSION! 🙂

  67. Brandae says

    What an amazing cheesecake recipe! I cannot wait to buy raw cashews and try it! Fun book giveaway too! I would love to create a raw peanut butter pudding pie – frozen maybe. I bet there’s already a recipe for it…or for my kids, a healthier version of Oreo ice-cream!

  68. The Vegan says

    I’d love to raw-ify banana bread. Doesn’t sound like too big of a challenge, maybe I have a weekend project… my mouth is already watering

  69. Diana says

    I’m really into raw desserts lately! I would love to create a raw version of “Icebox Cake.” It’s layers of milk-sprinkled chocolate wafers and whipped cream to form a cake that when covered with more whipped cream and sliced strawberries and refrigerated, it’s divine! I used to make it for holidays and my family would devour it in minutes. I have yet to try making a vegan version, but if I could make it raw, it would be such an accomplishment! 🙂

  70. Jenny says

    I’ve actually always hated cheesecake, contrary to the rest of the world! 😛 I don’t like creamy cheese or creamy things, save yogurt and icy desserts…

    One dessert I wish I could raw-ify? That’s hard, since so many of them seem to have been done already… Hmm. Blueberry pie would be one I’d love to try! Or apple pie… Also, chocolate chip cookie cake would taste heavenly raw, I’m sure!

    • Jess says

      Ironically enough, raw cheesecake would be EXACTLY the one I would try. Probably with some fresh cherries or raspberries to top it 🙂

  71. Lindsay says

    I want to “rawify” turtle bars! That gooey caramel in between cookie dough and chocolate chips and pecans….oh man, I’m drooling.

  72. Shelby says

    This looks amazing but sadly my son has a cashew allergy which is making the vegan life with an interest in raw foods even more challenging, do you think another nut like macadamia nuts or brazil nuts might stand in for it?

    • Chocolate-Covered Katie says

      Yes, definitely! I’ve not personally tried it with another nut, but one blogger used soaked almonds and loved the result. Macadamia cheesecake sounds amazing. I might just have to try it now, after your idea. If you try it first, please let me know how it goes!! 🙂

  73. carolyn says

    woah. i just made this tonight and it was AMAZING. i put the batter into dark chocolate cups, cheesecake cups!!!!!??? the delicious factor was ridiculous.

  74. Healthy Hippie Girl says

    Hi Katie,
    I have a recipe request for you! I found this recipe on food.com for cookie dough dip that sounds SO incredible. But the problem is it’s not healthy or even vegan. If anyone can “healthify” chocolate chip cookie dough dip, I know it’s you!
    Here’s the original recipe, from food.com:

    Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Dip
    ½ cup butter
    1/3 cup brown sugar
    1 tsp vanilla extract
    ½ cup confectioners sugar
    1 (8oz) package cream cheese
    ¾ cup mini semisweet chocolate chips

    In a small saucepan, melt the butter and brown sugar. Stir until the sugar dissolves. Remove from heat and whisk in vanilla. Beat the cream cheese and confectioners sugar for a minute. Slowly beat in cooled butter mixture and beat again for another minute. Stir in chips. Put in a serving bowl and refrigerate.

    • Chocolate-Covered Katie says

      Thanks for the challenge; I had a lot of fun with it and will post a healthier version tomorrow. For now, though, here’s a veganized version of your recipe:

      Naughty Vegan Cookie Dough Dip
      1/2 cup Earth Balance (or other vegan margarine)
      1/3 cup brown sugar
      1 tsp vanilla extract
      1/2 cup confectioner’s sugar
      1 (8oz) tub Tofutti Better than Cream Cheese
      3/4 cup vegan chocolate chips

      In a small saucepan, melt the margarine and brown sugar. Stir until the sugar dissolves. Remove from heat and whisk in vanilla. Beat the Tofutti cream cheese and confectioner’s sugar for a minute. Slowly beat in cooled margarine mixture and beat again for another minute. Stir in chips. Put in a serving bowl and refrigerate. 🙂

  75. Kaitlyn says

    Katie, while I spend about 70% of my time reading food blogs, I’ve never commented on one before, but I felt like I HAD to write to you and thank you for your amazing creations! I’m on a really strict elimination diet (okay, i’m SUPPOSED to be on a really strict elimation diet), but with a few changes, so many of your recipes are perfect and help me keep my sanity. THANK YOU! You’re the cutest.

  76. Erin Eloise says

    I can’t wait to make the chocolate version of this tonight! So far all of your recipes have left me drooling and have made my boyfriend become a believer.

    I hope this enters me in the contest for the Jocalat Larabar because I’m kind of obsessed… Much love and I’ll see you on twitter!

  77. RAE says

    Hi Katie! I discovered your blog yesterday and can’t tear myself away! You are VERY talented and inspirational. I have a question for you… regarding blending cashews. I want to make this cheesecake recipe but have tried making cashew sourcream three times and each time it does not blend smooth like the recipe says. It blends into a grainy consistency… no matter how long I blend it. Do you have any tips for me? Maybe I need a better food processor. I havn’t tried a regular blender yet.

      • RAE says

        WOW! You’re so prompt to answer. Thank-you! Yes, I soak them for several hours. So dissapointing. On the plus side though, I made the sourcream today (sooo delish, it’s a real crowd pleaser) in my blender and it turned into a beautiful smooth consistency! Just sad it doesn’t work in my food processor.

  78. Danni (Healthy Kitschy Vegan) says

    Quick question…what size pan did you use to make this in? Something like a pie pan or smaller?

  79. Kassie says

    Hi Katie,
    This looked so good to me, I tried to make it tonight in my small food processor. I used almonds instead of cashews and doubled the recipe. After soaking the almonds for 7 hours, I drained them and tried to blend everything. It didn’t work! Should I use a regular blender to get it creamy. Also, do you measure 2 cups of almonds AFTER draining, too? I didn’t do this.
    Thanks Katie–I LOVE your blog!!!

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