
Vegan Chocolate-Covered Strawberry Cheesecake Bars

Crust
- 1/2 cup rolled oats
- 3 Tbsp. white sesame seeds (lightly toasted)
- 1/3 cup shredded coconut
- 1/3 cup sunflower seeds
- 5 Tbsp. coconut sugar
- 1 Tbsp. raw cacao powder (or cocoa powder)
- Pinch salt
- 4 Tbsp. melted coconut oil (or melted raw cacao butter)
Strawberry cheesecake
- 7 oz. raw cashews
- 3.5 oz. fresh strawberries
- 2/3 cup coconut milk
- 6 Tbsp. melted coconut oil (or melted raw cacao butter)
- 5-6 Tbsp. maple syrup
- 3 Tbsp. lemon juice
- 1 tsp. lemon zest
- 1 tsp. vanilla extract
Optional
- 1-3 slices raw or cooked red beet root (for color)
Chocolate ganache
- 4.2 oz. dark chocolate chips
- 2/3 cup coconut milk (or other plant milk)
- Line 7-inch square pan with parchment paper or use one with removable bottom.
In food processor, blend all crust ingredients except for coconut oil until powdery. Add melted coconut oil and blend until mixture reaches consistency of wet sand. (Note: If too crumbly, add a little more coconut oil.)
- With hands or bottom of glass, press mixture firmly into bottom of pan.
In blender, blend all strawberry cheesecake ingredients until smooth. Taste and adjust sweetness, adding additional maple syrup or lemon juice, if needed.
- Add strawberry layer on top of crust, smooth down and freeze about 2 hours until set.
- To make chocolate ganache, place chocolate chips in small bowl. In saucepan, heat coconut milk until just before boiling and then pour it over chocolate and stir together until well combined.
- Pour ganache over strawberry filling and flatten surface. Freeze until set about 2 hours.
- Prior to serving, remove dessert from pan (Note: If you didn’t use parchment paper, let it sit at room temperature for about 5-10 minutes to make removal easier). Leave at room temperature or refrigerate to thaw until dessert is soft enough to cut. Use warmed knife to cut into desired size.
- Store in freezer in small pieces and enjoy frozen, or let sit at room temperature for a few minutes to thaw slightly prior to serving.