This Paleo Lemon Cheesecake is a healthier cheesecake made with no dairy and is naturally sweetened. A pecan and date crust topped with a thick, rich layer of lemon cheesecake that has a cashew base. Gluten free, dairy free, and naturally sweetened.
I used to make a mean cheesecake. It was one of the first things I taught myself how to bake when I was a teenager because I loved it so much. I got pretty good at making them, but since we've given up dairy I haven't made a traditional one at all. I thought my cheesecake days were over.
But they're not over, they have just changed. Making this no-bake cheesecake is way different. Cashews are being soaked, no sweetened condensed milk is being used, and there is no fear of having a crack ruin the top! 🙂
I must say I was little skeptical that cashews could produce that creamy, smooth cream cheese-like texture, but they do! I did make some paleo cheesecake brownies, but this is my first "official" paleo cheesecake with a springform pan and pretty slices.
I decided on lemon because it is one of my favorite flavors and this does not lack in lemon flavor. It is good plain, but I added little raspberry jelly just for fun. Fruit over cheesecake is always delicious.
You will need a 7 inch springform pan to make it exactly the same. You could also make it in an 8 inch square pan lined with parchment, but there is something so nice about the traditional round cake. And I promise more cheesecakes will come so the pan will get use!
This cheesecake is no-bake which is super nice, but it does need to be stored in the fridge or freezer. The fridge will keep it soft enough to eat immediately whereas the freezer will keep it more firm and you'll have to set it out for a little while to thaw.
The Best Cheesecake!
-Completely dairy free, using cashews as the base.
-Naturally sweetened with honey and dates. Try maple to make it vegan
-Easy and no-bake! Just a high-powdered blender or food processor and about 20 minutes total.
-It is incredibly smooth, creamy, and sweet- just like traditional cheesecake!
-Use a high fat almond milk like Malk or you can use canned coconut milk
You will love this cheesecake because it is full of lemon flavor, easy to make, and sweet! Such a light, perfect for spring-time, recipe.
HERE is the pan I use.
HERE is the food processor I use.
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Paleo Lemon Cheesecake
Ingredients
Crust
- 1 cup raw pecans
- 4 medjool dates
- ⅛ teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
Cheesecake
- 2 cups raw cashews, soaked for at least 4 hours and up to 8 hours
- ½ cup melted coconut oil, refined for no coconut flavor
- ½ cup almond milk
- ½ cup honey
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- zest of 2 lemons
- ¼ cup lemon juice
Instructions
- *The night before or early the same day, soak the cashews. Place them in a bowl and cover them with filtered water. If in a hurry you can soak them in hot water for 1 hour, changing the water half way through to keep warm.
- Grease a 7-inch springform pan and set aside.
- In a high powered blender or food processor, make the crust. Add the pecans, dates, salt, and lemon juice to the processor and blend until fully combined. This may take 1-2 minutes. It should hold together like a cookie dough ball. Press into bottom of springform pan and place in the fridge while you make the cheesecake.
- Drain and rinse the cashews. Place them in the food processor- no need to wash it from the crust unless it's very dirty. Add in the coconut oil, almond milk, honey, salt, lemon zest and juice.
- Blend on high until completely smooth, stopping and scrapping down the sides as needed. This may take 5-7. Once completely smooth, pour over crust and refrigerate until firm, about 4 hours. It can also be kept in the freezer, but will need to thaw a little before serving.
- Cover and store in the fridge.
Nutrition Information
Heather Heron says
I am sensitive to coconut. Is there any substitute for the coconut oil?
Jessica DeMay says
Hi Heather- you can try another oil, but the coconut oil firming helps the cheesecake firm up. It may just have to be kept in the freezer if you try something else. Hope that helps!
Sheils says
I can't have cashews or almonds, have you tried or recommend any other nut?
Jessica DeMay says
Hi Sheils- you can use any nut for the crust. For the filling, you can try macadamias, but I haven't tried it personally so I can't say for sure.
Kira says
Can I substitute maple syrup for the honey? I have a vegan guest coming over.
Jessica DeMay says
Hi Kira- yes, that will work.
Dawn says
Oh my gosh - this recipe was absolutely delicious! My guests were a bit dubious when I told them what was in it, but they all loved it! Made a strawberry sauce to go with it and it was amazing. Definitely adding this to my home recipe book!
Jessica DeMay says
Thanks for trying it, Dawn! I'm so glad everyone loved it!
LD says
Never baked a cheesecake like this. Can you use something other than coconut oil? Avocado oil maybe?
Jessica DeMay says
Hi! That may work, but I can't guarantee. Why not coconut oil? You can use refined so it has no coconut taste.
LD says
My mom is staying with me for a month and I've been meal planning. Unfortunately she says she's allergic to coconut. Planning around this has been difficult for me since I've gone mostly paleo and attempting dairy free for the majority of the time. I realized that I use coconut sugar, coconut flour, coconut aminos, and coconut oil quite frequently so I'm doing my best to find alternatives in the meantime. It seems not everything is an easy swap and ultimately I'll have to have some soy, sugar, gluten, and dairy to make a lot of these paleo meals work without coconut! I'm making your cauliflower fried rice and orange chicken soon!! Excited. Love your website.
Jessica DeMay says
Thanks! I'm so glad you enjoy my website. Yes, there is a lot of coconut used in paleo cooking and baking! Oh, I see, that's why no coconut oil. Okay- I do think avocado oil would work, but use a brand like Chosen Foods which is light in color and taste. They sell it at Costco or Trader Joes- possibly other stores as well. Some brands are very dark in color and rich in taste and it wouldn't work well with the cheesecake. I hope that helps! Let me know if you have any other questions and have fun with your mom!
debi tricerri says
where do you find refined no flavor coconut oil?
Jessica DeMay says
Hi Debi- you can find it in a lot of stores right by the other coconut oil. I like to also buy it online, here is the brand I like: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00NFJPK5S?ie=UTF8&tag=jaysbakingm07-20&camp=1789&linkCode=xm2&creativeASIN=B01766NTU8&th=1