Raw Berry 'Cheesecake'

So I was browsing raw food recipes the other day and stumbled upon this gem: Raw Cashew Dreamcake

It looks like a cheesecake. It tastes like a cheesecake. But it's totally healthy and best of all, it's RAW, which means all those good enzymes and vitamins from the ingredients don't get destroyed from being exposed to heat. If you're not familiar with raw food, do a little research. Ever since I came across my first raw food website I've been hooked ever since, trying different recipes and trying to incorporate more raw foods into my diet. Going on a 100% raw food diet will cure practically any disease, illness, even cancer with time. It's the way nature intended on humans to get nutrients. 

Anyways, I can go on and on about how awesome a raw food diet is, but I'll let you discover that on your own. I would love to be able to go 100% raw, but it's something you have to incorporate over time. Most people who jump in head first never stick with it. There are plenty of foods that I would miss (hello, mac and cheese?!), so right now I'm just trying to eat as much raw food as possible and leave it at that! :)

Here is the recipe for my raw 'cheesecake' that I made last night!

To make the crust:

• 1/2 cup pecans (you can use almonds or walnuts as well)
• 1/2 cup dates
• 1/4 cup raisins
• pinch of sea salt

Add all ingredients into a high speed blender (I used my Ninja, but a Vitamix or Blendtec is recommended) and blend until it's combined well and sticky enough that you can make a little ball and it won't fall apart. I soaked my dates for about an hour to soften them up for better blending.

Press the crust into a pie pan.

I had to use an oval dish because I still have my raw pumpkin pie from Thanksgiving!

It should look like this:

To make the filling:

• 1 1/2 cup cashews 
• juice from 1 lemon
• 1/3 cup raw honey
• 1/3 cup raw coconut oil, melted
• 1 whole vanilla bean or 1 tbs pure vanilla extract
• 1 cup berries of choice

Combine all ingredients except the berries into a blender and blend until very smooth. I soaked my cashews overnight for better blending. 

Pour about 2/3 of the mixture into the crust and smooth it out with a spatula. 

Add the berries to the remaining 1/3 of the cashew filling and blend until smooth. You can use any type of berries you like. I used strawberries, blueberries, and blackberries.

Pour berry mixture onto first layer of filling. 

Place in freezer until solid. It took mine about 2 hours. 

Let it set out a few minutes to soften a bit before slicing (heating a knife under hot water helps with slicing).

Store any leftovers in the freezer.

Enjoy your healthy, nutritious 'dessert'! 

Soaked cashews ready for blending. Don't forget to drain before blending!

Lemon gettin' juicy!

Vanilla bean cut up, ready for blending

Coconut oil is amazing!

I used this, but raw honey is ideal.

All blended up!

'Cheesecake' layer

Berry layer

Before going in the freezer.

After 2 hours in the freezer

Final product! Yum Yum!!

Well guys, there you have it. This is how I made mine. It's so easy and SO good.

I have no clue on the nutritional info, but as you can see, there's nothing unhealthy in this dessert. If you have a nut allergy, then this is definitely not for you! It's dairy free, raw, and could easily be make vegan if you substituted the honey with Stevia or other vegan sweetener of choice.  I think the honey helps with the texture, so keep that in mind.

If you make this, let me know how it goes!