Vegan Cheesecake (No tofu or cashews!)

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5 from 1384 votes
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This baked vegan cheesecake is made without cashews, nuts, and without tofu, but you’d never tell- It’s so rich, thick, and creamy! No fancy kitchen mixers needed. 

vegan cheesecake

It’s no secret that I love cheesecake. Although up until now, they’ve been of the no bake variety. We’ve had the classic no bake cheesecake and the chocolate version, but now? We have, what I consider, the BEST Vegan Cheesecake.

No seriously, I dare you to find a better baked cheesecake out there, especially one with such a simple ingredient list! Unlike many vegan desserts, this cheesecake is made with no dairy, no nuts, and definitely no tofu.

It’s thick, creamy, and rich, without being heavy at all. This vegan cheesecake recipe was actually inspired by the Cheesecake Factory’s New York Style cheesecake, which has the most delicious flavor (and also was the only vegan option available there!).

Not only is this cheesecake vegan, but it can easily be made gluten free and sugar free.

I made my non-vegan friends try it out, and no one could tell- it tastes like the real deal! 

vegan cheesecake no tofu

How to make a vegan cheesecake

The Ingredients

  • Dairy free cream cheese– Use a good quality vegan cream cheese, preferably one with minimal or no added water in it. This will ensure the cheesecake remains creamy once it has been baked. You want your cream cheese to be softened. 
  • Sugar– Either white sugar or unrefined white sugar is best. You can try to keep it sugar-free, by using erythritol or monk fruit sweetener. 
  • Corn starch– Allows the cheesecake to remain intact, and holds it all together. You can also use arrowroot starch. 
  • Dairy Free milk– I used unsweetened almond milk, but you can also use oat milk, coconut milk, etc. 
  • Lemon Juice– Reacts with the cream cheese and sugar to give the cheesecake a slight tang. You won’t taste the lemon at all. 
  • Vanilla Extract– Always add it to my baking! 
  • Pie Crust– Use your favorite homemade or store-bought 8-inch pie crust. I made a simple vegan graham cracker crust, but any will work. 

The Instructions

Start by preparing your pie crust, or using a store bought crust. Next, prepare your cheesecake filling mixture. Using an electric mixer, beat together the cream cheese with sugar until smooth and creamy. Now, add the milk, cornstarch, lemon juice, and vanilla extract. Continue beating on low, until combined, before turning it up and beating on high, until smooth and creamy. Be sure to regularly scrape down the sides. Transfer the cheesecake filling into the pie crust and spread out the top, using a rubber spatula. Bake the cheesecake for 40-45 minutes. Once cooked, remove from the oven and let cool in the cake pan completely. Once cool, place in the refrigerator for at least 4 hours, or overnight. 

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How to make a vegan graham cracker pie crust

As mentioned before, any pie crust will work. As I want the cheesecake to be the center of attention, I used the simple graham cracker crust.

To make– 1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs, 1/3 cup sugar, 1/3 cup vegan butter, 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon.

In a large mixing bowl, add your ingredients and mix well, until combined. Transfer to an 8-inch pie plate. Refrigerate while you prepare the cheesecake mixture.

Cheesecake Tips

  • If you use a store bought crust, be sure it is vegan friendly and made without eggs. Also be sure it has no nuts, to keep it nut free.
  • You must regularly scrape down the sides of the mixing bowl when blending the cheesecake mixture. Sometimes, the cornstarch can stick to the sides, which will cause the filling to be less stable. Remember, the cornstarch is what thickens the cheesecake. 
  • If possible, refrigerate your cheesecake overnight. This gives it the best firm texture, especially when it comes to slicing the cheesecake.
  • To slice the cheesecake, use a slightly wet and extra sharp knife. 
  • While perfect on its own, feel free to dress up the cheesecake with fresh berries, whipped cream, or even serve it with some ice cream.
  • For a gluten free cheesecake, swap out the cornstarch or tapioca starch or arrowroot starch. 
  • For a sugar free cheesecake, replace the sugar with a sugar free alternative, like erythritol. 

Storing and Freezing Tips

To store: Store leftover cheesecake in the refrigerator, either in a sealable container or covered with plastic wrap. Refrigerated cheesecake will keep well for up to 7 days. 

To freeze: Freeze individual slices of cheesecake in a freezer friendly container. They will freeze well for up to 6 months. 

best vegan cheesecake

More Vegan Desserts to make

dairy free cheesecake

Vegan Cheesecake (No tofu or nuts!)

5 from 1384 votes
This vegan cheesecake is truly the best vegan cheesecake recipe you'll ever make- No nuts, no dairy and no tofu needed, but it's so thick, rich and ultra creamy. Easy and simple ingredients and no fancy gadgets needed- It's easily made gluten free.
Servings: 12 Slices
Prep: 10 minutes
Cook: 10 minutes
Total: 20 minutes

Video

Ingredients 
 

  • 1 8-inch pie crust Homemade or store bought * See notes
  • 16 oz vegan cream cheese room temperature ** See notes
  • 2/3 cup sugar *** See notes
  • 2 tablespoon cornstarch can use tapioca starch or arrowroot starch
  • 3 tablespoon milk of choice I used almond milk
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions 

  • Prepare your pie crust in an 8-inch pan, and set aside. Preheat the oven to 180C/350F.
    cheesecake crust
  • In a large mixing bowl, add your softened cream cheese with sugar and beat on low, until smooth and creamy. While still on low, add in the cornstarch, milk, lemon juice, and vanilla extract. Continue beating on low until combined. Once combined, turn up to high and continue beating, until smooth.
    cheesecake filling
  • Transfer your cheesecake into the prepared pie crust. Bake the cheesecake for 40-45 minutes.
    dairy free cheesecake
  • Remove from the oven and let cool completely. Once cool, refrigerate for at least 4 hours, or overnight.

Notes

* I used a simple vegan graham cracker crust. See the post for ingredients and instructions. 
** Use a good quality vegan cream cheese like Tofutti or So delicious. 
*** White sugar or uncut sugar. To keep it sugar free, use erythritol or monk fruit sweetener. 

Nutrition

Serving: 1SliceCalories: 180kcalCarbohydrates: 14gProtein: 2gFat: 13gSodium: 127mgPotassium: 52mgVitamin A: 508IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 42mgIron: 1mgNET CARBS: 14g
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Author: Arman Liew
Tried this recipe?Give us a shout at @thebigmansworld or tag #thebigmansworld!

Arman Liew

I’m a two time cookbook author, photographer, and writer, and passionate about creating easy and healthier recipes. I believe you don’t need to be experienced in the kitchen to make good food using simple ingredients that most importantly, taste delicious.

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Comments

    1. 5 stars
      Flavor is spot on! We use Tofutti vegan cream cheese. Only issue I have had so far is cooking time. When I run in oven at 350F it takes about an hour to 1 hoir and 10 min or center never rises. Not sure if I should expect the center to fully rise in the oven or if pulling the cheesecake out at 45 min regardless should be they plan but so far so good. Once cooled, we top with different pie fillings and refrigerate and it works great.

  1. 5 stars
    The brand of vegan cream cheese you use DEFINITELY makes a difference. Violife vegan cream cheese does NOT work in this recipe.. REPEAT VioLife does not work in this recipe. When you say high quality vegan cream cheese,Aa you meant that. 😂 I thought I was doing something wrong, then decided to go with Kite Hill. Perfection!!!

    1. 5 stars
      My third run on this cheesecake is in the oven now (with halved and pitted cherries nestled into the cheesecake batter) and it’s always a huge hit! The cream cheese used definitely does matter! I have successfully used half violife half miyokos cream cheese without any problems. If using a cultured vegan cream cheese like miyokos, it seems fitting to reduce or eliminate the lemon juice, as the finished product is plenty tart without it.

  2. 5 stars
    Everyone loved this pie. I’ve also been asked for this recipe by the vegans and vegetations in my family. That is quite an endorsement.

  3. 5 stars
    Hello I have made several vegan cheesecake recipes. This one by far hats off, boots kicking and fingers licking the best one ever made! It’s creamy, flavorable and certainly worth making. I burned my graham crackers a bit on the side but that was my own fault! Next time I may add a bit more lemon juice to give it a little more tang. 😋 DELICIOUS!!!

    1. 5 stars
      Truly the best vegan cheesecake recipe I’ve ever made!!! Even better than a standard cheesecake.

  4. 5 stars
    Hi! I’m so excited to try this vegan cheese cake recipe! Do you think I can use date syrup or coconut sugar inplace of monk fruit?

    Thank you!

  5. 5 stars
    Just a reminder that you should edit this recipe and remove erythritol from substitution notes since the FDA issued a warning about that sweetener saying that it has been linked to strokes and heart attacks. Monkfruit does work well, as does pure stevia extract, both of which are natural and safe. By the way, I haven’t tried the recipe yet, but will do so soon, and thanks!

      1. That is great! I love using allulose and BochaSweet in all my baking, but unfortunately it doesn’t crisp. Finding recipes that specifically use these sweeteners are very helpful rather than finding out that it doesn’t work out. I really appreciate this, Arman!

      2. 5 stars
        I have had to greatly alter the way I eat whwn I found out that I have several food sensitivities. The journey in finding foods I can prepare and eat has proven quite difficult. But to my great surprise, I was so excited when I found your recipes! Super big YAY!
        I do have a question about this recipe. I use arrowroot powder (starch) on occasion but not enough to completely know how to use it. Do I need to turn the arrowroot starch into a slurry first before adding it into this recipe?
        Thanks so much!