Macadamia Crusted Mango & Lime Raw ‘Cheesecake’

#glutenfree #dairyfree #vegan

A lusciously creamy cheesecake with no cream cheese, sour cream or any cream at all for that matter. Say what?! No kidding, this is seriously good & free of pretty much everything bad. It’s no raw food eyesore either…it’s pretty enough to serve up to any discerning guest! The creaminess is derived from soaked & blended cashews & the fresh flavour foursome from macadamia nuts, coconut, limes & mango…need I say more?

Base Ingredients:
2 cups raw macadamia nuts, soaked in water for 3 hours

1/2 cup medjool dates, pitted (if using normal dates, soak them in a bowl of warm water for approx 10 minutes, discard water)

1/4 cup coconut flakes

Filling Ingredients:
3 cups raw cashews, soaked in water for 3 hours

3/4 cup lime juice (lemon still works if limes aren’t available)

3/4 cup coconut nectar

3/4 cup raw coconut oil

Seeds of 1 vanilla bean

1/2 teaspoon sea salt

3 cups frozen or fresh mango

3 dates

1/4 cup orange juice

Directions:

1. To make the base, place macadamias & Medjool dates in a food processor & process until chopped & well blended
2. Cover the bottom of a 9″ springform cake pan with the coconut flakes
3. Spread the macadamia mixture on top of the coconut flakes & mold into the cake pan with your hands
4. To make the ‘cheese’, blend until smooth the cashews, lime juice, coconut nectar, coconut oil, vanilla bean & sea salt. I find a Vitamix works amazingly for that super-smooth texture
5. Pour about 2/3 of the mixture out onto the crust & smooth with a spatula
6. To make the mango topping, place 3 dates, mango & orange juice in the blender with the remaining ‘cheese’ mix & process until smooth
7. Pour onto the first layer of filling & place in freezer until solid (about 3 hours, or overnight)
8. To serve, remove from freezer 30 minutes prior to eating. Run a smooth, sharp knife under hot water & cut into slices
9. Store leftovers in the freezer (what leftovers?)

Nutrition Bite: Mango – One small, ripe mango provides you with 100% of your daily requirement for Vitamin C! Mangoes are high in energy, low in fat, and are a great source of vitamin A & other important nutrients that are essential for good health.