Probably the best chocolate and orange cheesecake in the world ! This one honestly takes some beating – chocolate and orange is already a winning combination, but with this delectable coconut and nut base, and creamy orange filling, this cheesecake proves that raw vegan desserts can be completely mouthwatering.
Serves 4
INGREDIENTS FOR THE CRUST
½ cup raw almonds
1/3 cup pecan nuts
1/3 cup pitted dates
1 tsp chia seeds (US link here, UK link here)
1 Tbsp extra virgin coconut oil (US link here, UK link here)
1 Tbsp unsweetened raw cacao powder (US link here, UK link here)
METHOD
- You will need a 4 inch springform pan (available in US here, or UK here). By all means line it with cling film, plastic or parchment (greaseproof paper) – if not, ensure you grease it all over with coconut oil.
- Place all the ingredients in a food processor, and process until crumbs are formed and it’s sticky to the touch.
- Now press the above mixture into the base of the pan, working your way up to the sides. Place in the freezer until you have made the filling.
INGREDIENTS FOR THE FILLING
1 cup raw cashews (pre-soaked and drained)
1 Tbsp extra virgin coconut oil (US link here, UK link here)
1 sweet orange, freshly squeezed (plus the zest of one put aside for garnishing)
1 Tbsp raw coconut sugar (US link here, UK link here)
1/8 tsp turmeric (for the colour) (US link here, UK link here)
METHOD
- Place all the ingredients in a high-speed processor (link), and process for a while until totally smooth – the mixture must be thick but very smooth.
- Now carefully pour this mixture onto the base crust. Then place back in freezer whilst you make the ganache topping.
INGREDIENTS FOR THE GANACHE TOPPING
2 Tbsp extra virgin coconut oil, soft but not totally melted (US link here, UK link here)
1 Tbsp unsweetened cacao powder (US link here, UK link here)
1 Tbsp raw coconut sugar, or less if you wish (US link here, UK link here)
METHOD
- Place these ingredients in a wide mug or bowl, and mix for a couple of minutes with a fork. Taste if you wish, and remove your cheesecake from the freezer.
- Pour the chocolate mixture into the centre of your filling, making a circular motion with the chocolate mix on the surface. Then, using the back of a spoon, ever so carefully evenly spread the mixture, which ought to be slightly thick.
- Garnish with the orange zest, and re-freeze for an hour. Then place in the fridge for 4-5 hours before serving it. Or better still serve the next day ! Enjoy !
All recipes and content © Miriam Sorrell www.mouthwateringvegan.com 2010
Miriam – it is amazing!! I am looking forward to making this cake. Thanks for all your fab recipes.
This looks ridiculously good! I adore the chocolate orange combination and adore raw desserts so this is just perfect for me. Isn’t it incredible what raw fruits and nuts can turn into?
Oh, this sounds awesome…have people for dinner this weekend – guess what’s for dessert!!!! Glad I found it 🙂
It looks delicious! Do you think we could double the recipe? I don’t have the right pan size 😉
Sure you can Isabelle. 🙂
Hi there Jane, this is awesome, and you must come back with your feedback as and when ! 🙂
Emma Hi – I couldn’t agree more ! Fruits and nuts are like magic and I love the combination together with the taste and texture. Do let me know how it goes when you’ve made it (I am addicted to it). 🙂
Margaret Hi, thanks for your comment and I very much look forward to your feedback on this as and when. Enjoy ! 🙂
Chia seeds???Never heard of them seeds!!!
Joe Hi, you don’t need to use them. I bought mine from Holland & Barrett in St Julians.
That looks absolutely delicious! After visiting a vegan restaurant in Camden, London earlier this week I decided it was time to learn some more desserts. Vegan food I cook a lot but desserts are rarely vegan. this was very inspirational, thanks1
Ann-Katrin Hi there, I hope you make and enjoy this recipe, and as and when pop back with your feedback ! 🙂
OK no chia seeds then… off we go with this one. Feedback later on (and a pix I hope). Bye 🙂
Good luck Joe, I hope you have a good strong food processor, because this really rocks if done well. Best your way ! 🙂
Just received my 4 x 1,75 inch springform today , it is so small , is this really the right size for four people ? The cake sounds wonderful can’t wait to try it .
My mouth…. is watering! 😀
Is it really a 4 inch?? I would gulp it down in a second! I’d double if so.
Joe you say that but it is very filling and rich, trust me. That said I don’t know how much richness and goodness you can personally take ! 🙂
Enjoy Jo and let me know how it goes as and when ! 🙂
Marianne Hi there. The cheesecake is very rich so cut that into 4 portions and you’ll be fine – that said (the size you received is correct), if you wish to extend it make a chocolate sauce with cocoa, coconut sugar and coconut oil or if you are not stricly raw melt some dark chocolate with coconut oil close to the time of serving and pour it warm onto the side and serve with slices of fresh orange segments. Let me know how it goes ! 🙂
hello, i am a convert!! been liking your recipes for ages now and have realised that i dont remember the last time i ate meat! i love vegan food much more 🙂 where can i get a good processor and blender (for nuts) in uk??
look forward to more posts
Kay Hi there, many thanks for your comment and am so glad to hear that you are enjoying my recipes so much – here is the link for you to browse from the UK store from my blog http://www.mouthwateringvegan.com/my-store-uk/ Remember to scroll down to ‘Kitchen Appliances & Utensils’ – I very much look forward to your future feedback on my blog and enjoy in the meantime ! I will be publishing 2 comments from my here in the next day and yours may just be one of them as it is inspiring for others to see and follow. Cheers your way ! 🙂
I did it! My very first raw-vegan dessert! Thank you so much for great recipe! It’s delicious!
Costco carries Chia Seeds! Or at least they did. You know how they are always changing products. I got them there a month ago.
Thanks for the info Sandy.
Thanks so much for letting me know Monika and kudos to you for going for making your 1st Raw Dessert ! May be you will try out the raw Carrot Cake Cheesecake, it’s just as delicious (at some point) ! 🙂
I AM SO EXCITED TO HAVE FOUND YOU! By complete coincidence, I just bought your book, Mouthwatering Vegan a few days ago, and then I was strolling through FB looking for a vegan page to like and here you are 🙂 You ask on your FB page for a comment here, so I hope it’s ok if I simply comment DROOOOOOOOOOOOOLLLLL 🙂 I’m attacking your book next week, after this Canada Day long weekend 🙂 Thank you for for the FB page, the book and this great site. I’m pretty brand new to Veganism, but my knees LOVE it so I’m sticking with it 🙂 Happy Canada Day!
Sheena Hi, what a wonderful tonic you are !!! Love your every sentiment and a HUGE kudos to you for choosing VEGAN. I am so glad you have come across my site and thank you for your book purchase. I would so love you to put a review like the one above on Amazon, but do so when you have received my book and let me know you have !!! Best your way in the meantime and ENJOY the recipes on my blog in the meantime. The book has many, many exciting recipes and lots of pics ! Cheers and Happy Canada Day to you too (my book is published in Canada by in imprint called Appetite by Random House Canada).
Looks wonderful… will taste delicious!
Thanks for sharing the recipe, Miriam
Can’t wait to try this out, looks absolutely gorgeous!
It tastes even better than what it looks like, but will leave you be the judge of that Laura, let me know how it goes as and when ! 🙂
This looks lush! MY boyfriend is allergic to pecans, what would you recommend i replace them with?
Sarah Hi, you can use walnuts or lightly roasted almonds, or raw ones if you wish to keep it 100% raw ! Enjoy and let me know how it goes ! 🙂
Thanks for the advice, I’m making this tomorrow afternoon and I can’t wait! *drool,drool*
Let me know how it goes Sarah and let it set well before tasting (it needs the time in the freezer/fridge). Enjoy ! 🙂
Lovely!
Next time will add some orange zest to the filling as well. Wasn’t quite orangey enough!
Deborah Hi – so glad you enjoyed it ! 🙂
The Ganache topping amount seems too little… will it really cover the top all the way?
Julia Hi, it does seem little because the ‘cheesecake’ itself is very small (but rich) – by all means double the whole thing if you wish to make a larger one. Hope you enjoy it ! 🙂
Amazing! My hubby made this last night and I’m eating my first piece…nomnomnomnomnom.
Seriously so good. The only suggestion I would make would be to juice several oranges ahead of time, taste them all, and make sure to use the best, sweetest juice. My hubby and I also have the thought of reducing some orange juice to intensify the orange flavor and sweeten it up a bit. I also think a layer of coconut whipped cream (chocolate?) on top of the ganache would be divine!
Thanks so much for this freaking incredible recipe! We will definitely make this again.
This is a different Julia than the previous ganache questioner…FYI.
Sounds like a lot of fun Julia and so glad you enjoyed it ! I can never have to much orange with chocolate, it’s divine ! Cheers.
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Does anyone have an alternative for chia seeds or know them by a different name please?
I know them as chia seeds – an alternative for this dish would be raw sesame seeds.
How long do you soak the nuts for??? Thanks
Hi Sharon, it depends on whether you have a powerful blender. If you do an hour or two should be fine (although overnight is still an option), if not then overnight is the best option to help soften the nuts.
I made this today, it was yum. I doubled the recipe as the only springform pan I had was double the size and it worked well. The only thing was my filling was a little grainy. I processed the cashews for about five minutes but it didn’t get any smoother. I soaked them for 4 hours, I’ll try it for 6 next time. I didn’t have time to do it any longer today. But an absolutely delicious recipe, my family loved it 😀
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Glad you enjoyed it ! 🙂
Sounds like a success Jo. I would recommend soaking your cashews overnight next time ! I look forward to your future comments on my blog ! 🙂
Love this . Have lots of stress and crave chocolate .this is nice . Three of my favorites. Thank you. Look forward to more:)…..
Hi Deborah, hope you enjoy it. Also feel free to join my ‘Vegan Rejuvenation’ FB page for many stress reduction techniques – it’s all free and very informative. 🙂