No-Bake Creamy Cranberry Cheesecake Recipe (Vegan, Gluten Free)

These cranberry cheesecake recipe bars are a classic twist on a traditional cheesecake, made entirely with gluten free and vegan friendly ingredients. The decadent cheesecake layer mixed with local cranberries is perfect for any party.

What Are Cranberry Cheesecake Bars?

This Cranberry cheesecake recipe is a fun twist on a classic cranberry cheesecake, just in a smaller bite size form. I love making cranberry cheesecake this way when I am bringing dessert to a party or hosting friends/family. These cranberry cheesecake bars are the perfect bite size amount of cheesecake that can serve a lot of people, and stores so well in the freezer.

Ingredients You Need For Cranberry Cheesecake Bars

Cranberry Cheesecake Ingredients

• 2 cups raw cashews (soaked in water ideally overnight)
• 1 cup full fat coconut milk
• ¼ cup cacao butter, melted
• 1 tbsp vanilla extract
• 1/3 cup maple syrup
• ¼ tsp Sea Salt

Cranberry Swirl Ingredients

• 2 cups fresh cranberries
• 1/4 cup water
• 1/4 cup honey
• Orange zest

Cranberry Cheesecake Crust Ingredients

• ¼ cup desiccated coconut
• ½ cup walnuts
• ½ cup almond flour
• 4 medjool dates
• 2 Tbsp maple syrup
• 2 Tbsp coconut oil
• ¼ tsp salt
• 1 tsp cinnamon

How To Make The Best Cranberry Cheesecake Bars

Cheesecake is known for being full of dairy products, which doesn’t make it very friendly for people who are either allergic to dairy or choose to be vegan. After a lot of testing I developed this super creamy cranberry cheesecake recipe that is entirely dairy free and gluten free, making it the perfect cheesecake recipe for those with dairy and gluten allergies, or who are vegan.

The result is a perfectly smooth and creamy vegan cheesecake base that can be flavored however you like.

Make the Crust:

• Add all crust ingredients to a high-speed food processor (I use a cuisinart 8 cup) and blend on high until a dough forms. You may need to push down the ingredients using a spatula a few times.
• Next, place parchment paper on a square baking pan. Place the dough in the pan, and using your fingers or a spatula push the dough down until it forms an even layer.
• Place the cheesecake pan in the freezer and allow the crust to harden, about 1 hour.

Make the Vanilla Cheesecake Layer

• Next, for the cheesecake layer, soak the cashews in a bowl of water for a minimum of two hours (ideally overnight).
• Once cashews have soaked, remove from water and discard liquid.
• Add soaked cashews to high-powered blender (I use a vitamix) along with 1 cup chilled coconut milk (the thick cream from the can), cacao butter, vanilla extract, maple syrup and sea salt.
• Blend ingredients on high until a frothy, pudding-like batter forms that is completely smooth. Remove batter from blender and pour over hardened cheesecake crust.

 Make the Cranberry Swirl

• Add fresh cranberries, water, honey, and orange zest to a medium size saucepan over medium heat. Stir continuously until the cranberries begin to breakdown and a jam like mixture forms.
• Next, remove cranberry mixture from the stove and pour it through a fine mesh sifter over a small bowl to remove the seeds/stems from the cranberry mixture.
• Discard the seeds, and take your smooth cranberry mixture and add it to the food processor. Process on high until the mixture is completely smooth.
• Lastly, take the cranberry mixture and add a few spoonfuls to the top of the cheesecake batter. Using a fork swirl the cranberry mixture through the cheesecake and place the cheesecake back in the freezer.

Allow your cheesecakes to fully set, ideally freezing for 2-4 hours. Once you are ready to serve, remove your cheesecakes from the freezer, pull on the parchment paper, and easily remove from the pan. Then cut your cheesecakes into small squares and serve immediately.

Other Flavors For Your Cranberry Cheesecake Bars

While the love the tangy flavor of the cranberries in these cranberry cheesecake bars, you can flavor this vegan cheesecake recipe anyway you like. Some other favorite flavor combinations of mine are:

• Chocolate Vanilla Swirl
• Blueberry
• Raspberry
• Strawberry

Tips For Making The Best Cranberry Cheesecake Bars

• The key to this recipe is soaked raw cashews, which will make up the bulk of the creamy cheesecake layer.
• Allow the cheesecakes to fully set before cutting and serving. Ideally I like to freeze these cranberry cheesecake bars for a few hours in the freezer before serving.
• Use a high speed food processor to get the ingredients smooth and creamy. I personally love this cuisinart food processor that is so multipurpose and definitely worth the price tag.

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