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raw vegan dessert

Strawberry Cacao ‘Cheeze’ Cake | Raw & Vegan

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Devouring a dense piece of chocolaty cheese cake doesn’t have to be a complete guilt ridden experience.

If you’re new to this vegan thing, or just want an alternative to the typical heavy duty New York style cheese cake, this has got to be the best way to get your fix.


Simple, raw decadence made up of nutrient-dense whole food ingredients.

I say, WHAT!?  Yes, Please.

Not only that, but even your traditional egg and milk baking grandmother would be impressed.

This pie is perfect for a birthday shindig, or why not the upcoming day for Dad? Father’s Day is just around the corner…

I put it to the test, and the guys in my family go gaga over this one, so I know the ones in yours will devour it too.

All you need to do is blend the crust…

…press it…

…blend the filling…

…then spread it…

Don’t forget to dip some apple slices in there for the clean up crew…

…blend the strawberries… pour it…

and freeze it!

Benefits:

-Cacao is the raw form of chocolate that offers an abundance of cancer-fighting antioxidants. Plus it’s known as a endorphin booster. There’s a reason why we go to chocolate when we’re stressed out. But, make it the pure form of chocolate and you’ll be better off and feeling fine.

-Strawberries are packed with phytonutrients, antioxidants and tons of vitamin C! 

 

Strawberry Cacao ‘Cheeze’ Cake | Raw & Vegan

Serves: 8-10 people

Time: 4 hours soaking time, 15 minutes prep, 1 hour chill time

Ingredients:

Crust:

  • 1 cup oats (gluten free if needed)
  • 1/2 cup almonds
  • 1 cup pitted dates (if they are very dry, soak 10 minutes then strained)
  • 1/2 cup shredded coconut

Filling:

  • 2 cups cashews (soaked minimum 4 hours, then strained)
  • 1 banana
  • 2 tbsp coconut oil (if solid, melt first into liquid)
  • 1/3 cup maple syrup
  • 1/4 cup cacao powder
  • 1 tsp vanilla

Strawberry Sauce:

  • 1 cup frozen strawberries, thawed

Optional Topper:

  • Fresh strawberries, sliced

Directions:

  1. Make Crust: in food processor, blend oats, almonds and coconut together until meal consistency, Add in dates and blend until cookie dough like consistency.
  2. Press crust into spring form pan (7-9 inch diameter) into an even layer
  3. Make Filling: blend all filling ingredients together in food processor
  4. Pour filling into spring form pan and spread out evenly with spatula
  5. Make Strawberry Sauce: blend strawberries with the thawed liquid in your blender
  6. Pour the strawberry sauce evenly over the chocolate filling
  7. Chill in the freezer for at least 1 hour
  8. Take out of the freezer about 30 minutes before serving, so you can cut through the strawberry layer. Serve with fresh strawberries and/or coconut whipped cream used in the Tarte Tatin recipe!

Raw Vegan Chocolate-Orange Christmas Bites

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Bring this to a Christmas party and your brownie points will shoot through the chimney.

These little morsels will bring melty, sweet, whole-food goodness to your Christmas Holidays.

Pour yourself a cup of tea, and dip away.

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Right now, I’m going through the Raw Gastronomy chapter in my Plant-Based Rouxbe Culinary course. The challenge was to create a raw dessert, and I thought, why should I be the only one to appreciate the taste of my creation? It’s too good not to share with all of you.

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Eating whole foods in their raw form does wonders for your body.

Raw, or ‘living foods’ still have the vitality and energy in the food itself. If they aren’t heated over 118 degrees farenheit, their naturally occurring enzymes stay active. Heating foods can deactivate some of the beneficial, vital enzymes, plus destroy other nutrients like minerals, essential fatty acids, and vitamins. So, why not eat as much food in their natural raw form as possible?

Plus, this chocolate sauce is just 3 ingredients! So simple and it works soooo well. The coconut oil is just slightly heated enough to melt into a saucy texture.

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Even after freezing for a while, the bottom layer of these bites still stays deliciously gooey.

It’s pretty much cookie dough, that’s packed with nutrients, with hard chocolate on top. YUM.

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Benefits:

–Cacao powder is the raw form of dark chocolate. It’s the part with the highest amount of antioxidants (40 times the amount of blueberries). It’s a natural energy booster, mood elevator and is packed with magnesium for your brain and heart health.

–Dates are packed with minerals and fibre. They’re super sweet, but are actually good for you! Pure magic. Your brain, heart and digestive system will thank you. They’re actually a great source of protein, plus they’re packed with vitamin C and D to help your beautiful skin and promote elasticity for the anti-aging effects.

–Coconut has iron, healthy fats and fibre. A bit of coconut will help ward off disease and keep your tissues healthy too.

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Ingredients:

Base layer:

  • 1  1/2 cups dates, pitted (meaning without pits), soaked in hot water for 5 minutes then strained (if super dry)
  • 3/4 cup shredded coconut
  • 1/2 cup walnuts, chopped
  • 1 tsp orange zest
  • 1 tbsp orange juice, freshly squeezed

Chocolate sauce:

  • 1  1/2 tbsp coconut oil
  • 1/2 cup cacao powder
  • 2 tbsp maple syrup

Steps:

  1. Pulse walnuts, coconut and orange zest in food processor until a meal forms
  2. Add dates and orange juice. Blend until all is combined
  3. Use two small spoons to press mixture into balls then into a mini muffin tin. OR you could also press the mixture into a loaf pan as one large layer
  4. Make chocolate sauce: Melt coconut oil in small sauce pan, add maple syrup and cacao powder. Use whisk to mix until smooth and creamy.
  5. Spoon chocolate layer over each base layer
  6. Sprinkle with shredded coconut
  7. Chill in freezer for 30 minutes or as long as you like. They don’t become rock solid!