A creamy, vegan no-bake cheesecake is topped with slices of fresh figs. It’s vegan, paleo friendly, and free of dairy, grains, gluten, and eggs!
Growing up, one of my favorite store-bought treats was fig newtons. I just loved that soft cookie coating with the sweet, crunchy filling! When I saw fresh figs in the store for the first time a while back, I snatched them up quickly and looked forward to getting home and enjoying that taste I remembered as a child.
Just an FYI, fresh figs do not taste like fig newtons.
They have more of an earthy, slightly sweet flavor that is very unique on its own. They may not taste like that chewy cookie we remember, but they’re still delicious and always make a beautiful presentation. They were also perfect atop this creamy, no-bake “cheesecake” and the light taste of cinnamon in the filling really complemented it well.
I refer to this dessert a cheesecake, even though there is nothing “cheesy” in here. The base of this filling is actually made of cashews, but when blended with the other ingredients and then given a “tang” from raw apple cider vinegar and lemon juice, you get everything you love about cheesecake, without the dairy, grains, gluten, or eggs! It’s so delicious and has my picky kids’ stamp of approval, which must say something. They are, after all, my children and are bona fide little foodies! 🙂
Now I know figs aren’t the easiest fruit to find at times and even if you can find them, they can be costly. Feel free to substitute another fruit in place of the figs, such as strawberries or kiwi slices, or even just omit the sliced fruit before freezing and just serve with fresh fruit.
This raw cheesecake sets in the freezer, but you’ll want to give it plenty of time to soften before serving. A slice of popsicle for dessert just isn’t as appealing!
If you make this dessert, be sure to tag #wifemamafoodie on Instagram so that I can see your creation! I hope you enjoy this healthier take on cheesecake!
Are you on social media? Never miss out on new recipes like this one by following me on Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest, and Bloglovin!
Print
No-Bake Vegan Fig Cheesecake
- Yield: 9-inch cheesecake 1x
Description
A creamy, cheesecake-like dessert topped with slices of fresh fruit. It’s no-bake, vegan, paleo friendly, and free of dairy, grains, gluten, and eggs!
Ingredients
CRUST:
- 1 cup dried, pitted dates
(or dried figs
one !important; margin:0px !important;” />)
- 1 1/4 cups raw walnuts
or almonds
- pinch of salt
(or 
one !important; margin:0px !important;” />)
or 
CHEESECAKE:
- 4 cups raw cashews
, soaked overnight in the fridge*
- 1/2 – 3/4 cup milk non-dairy milk (I used half unsweetened almond and half full-fat coconut milk)
- 1/2 cup pure maple syrup
- 1/4 cup melted coconut oil
- 3 tablespoons raw apple cider vinegar
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
- 1/2 – 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
, to taste (optional, you can omit if another fruit is used)
- 8–10 fresh figs, sliced (You can use another fruit, like strawberries or kiwi, or just omit fruit on top for vanilla cheesecake)
, soaked overnight in the fridge*
, to taste (optional, you can omit if another fruit is used)Instructions
- *If you are pressed for time, you can soak the cashews in boiling hot water for 1 hour instead.
CRUST:
- In a food processor, combine together the dried dates, nuts, and salt. Pulse until coarsely ground and mixture holds together when pressed. Press into the bottom of a 9-inch springform pan
. This mixture is pretty fool-proof so if your mixture is too sticky blend in a few more nuts, if it’s not sticky enough, blend in more dates.
. This mixture is pretty fool-proof so if your mixture is too sticky blend in a few more nuts, if it’s not sticky enough, blend in more dates.CHEESECAKE:
- Drain soaked cashews and rinse with clean water. Into a clean food processor, add drained cashews, 1/2 cup milk, maple syrup, coconut oil, cider vinegar, lemon juice, and vanilla. Blend together until smooth. Add the extra 1/4 cup milk if your mixture is too thick to blend. If you’re going to add cinnamon, add a little at a time and taste after each addition until you are happy with the flavor.
- Pour the creamy filling into the springform pan and spread evenly over the crust. Top with sliced figs, cover the pan with foil and put into the freezer for several hours to overnight.
- To serve, carefully remove from the springform pan while frozen and place onto your serving plate. Let sit at room temperature for 10-15 minutes before cutting. If cheesecake is still firm, it’s easier to cut. Run a knife under hot water and dry to help cut through the cold cake. Continue to let cheesecake soften for another 10 or 15 minutes before serving. Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the freezer.
- Category: Dessert
This is totally amazing! Might have to go for it… Beautiful photos!
Hey 🙂
I just wanted to leave you a comment to tell you that I tried this recipe yesterday and it all worked out well.
This was my first try on a vegan no bake cheesecake and I was positively surprised how similar it tastes.
The topping is so nice and creamy but the crust was what crazy delicious I can’t put it into words. So simple and so much better than any store bought cake base.
I also think this was the most expensive cake I ever made 😀 Totally worth it ^^
Thanks for sharing,
Sabrina
Thank you for taking the time to let me know, Sabrina! Im a big cheesecake fan, so it was important for me to create a similar tasting dairy-free version 🙂 I’m so glad you enjoyed it and truly appreciate your feedback! Have a wonderful day!
Oh my goodness this looks so tasty. And too funny about the figs, I actually had my first fig on the fourth of july and I was dissapointed it didn’t taste like fig newtons!
Haha, I know Becki! Those fig newtons have forever ruined our idea of what figs should taste like! Thanks for taking the time to comment! 🙂
I never would have thought of putting figs on cheesecake, but it sounds amazing! http://www.littlemissfangirly.blogspot.com
Thanks, Diana! I know, me either but it actually pairs well!
This sounds amazing! Your photos are so beautiful.
Thank you, Miranda! I hope you get a chance to try it!!
This looks delicious even with the figs (I’m not a fig fan). Going to attempt this and see if the cheesecake lover’s in my family will eat this. Thanks!
Thanks, Rae! You can always use sliced strawberries or kiwi instead of the figs. You can even leave it plain and it will still be delicious..Please let me know you how you like it!
I love figs. It looks very delicious. My husband would love it. Thanks for sharing.
So do we! I hope you get a chance to try it..thanks for stopping by!
Thanks for sharing this! I am beginning to explore vegan recipes, and I definitely want to try this for sure!
I truly hope you like it, Evi! If you try it, please let me know how it goes!
This cake looks gorgeous! You sre such a talented baker.
Also congrats on that feedfeed feature. Cool stuff.
Finally only got 1 hour a day internet but I love popping by here. Totally worth it and already planning a figgy dessert for when I get home after seeing this
Thank you so much, Kimberly! It was a lovely surprise to be featured. I love baking mainly because I have such a sweet tooth and I thoroughly enjoy the fruit of that labor. I just wish I had a big fig tree in my backyard so that I could make all figgy recipes I want 🙂 Can’t wait to see what you end up making with your figs! I’m missing your delicious posts, but I hope you’re enjoying your vacation! Take care, friend!
Yum! It looks delectable. Love the addition of figs!
Thanks, Ilona! I love figs..just wish they were more accessible!
Oh. My. God. I need to make this! This looks like heaven on a plate! I have a few vegan friends and I am currently on a low-carb diet myself, so this recipe just seems the perfect party snack! I have pinned this recipe so I will always be able to find it back. Stunning pictures by the way!
Thank you for your kind words, Tanya! We as a family are not vegan, but we all enjoyed this dessert. I like the fact that it’s full of wholesome ingredients and not a guilty pleasure. Please let me know how you like it!
Wow, this looks so delicious! I definitely pinned it!
Thanks, Cynthia! I really appreciate the pin!
This looks beautiful! I’ve never tried a vegan cheesecake, but I’ll definitely have to try this out!
It’s hard to believe you can get a delicious dessert with the listed ingredients but this “cheesecake” really is good! I hope you get a chance to try it, Francesca! Thanks for stopping by 🙂
This looks great and you take wonderful photographs. You had me at cheesecake!
Haha, my ears perk up too when I hear the word cheesecake! Thank you for the compliment, Michelle!
Joscelyn, this looks delicious!! You are SO creative! I’ve never seen figs on a cheesecake. I love cheesecake but have never tried a vegan recipe…I might just have to now;-) Now I want cheesecake, haha! Thanks for posting, always look forward to seeing your creations!
Aww, thanks Andele! You would approve of this dessert! I wish you could come and share a slice with some coffee! Maybe one day 🙂
I love no bake cheese cake. This is such a pretty looking one. I love fresh figs and fig newtons, I know I’ll enjoy this. Pinning.
Thanks, Asha! I love no bake desserts and fig newtons too.. I need to come up with a healthier recipe for no bake fig newtons! 🙂 Thank you so much for stopping by and for pinning!
Wow a Vegan Cheesecake that’s kid-approved. You gotta love that, it must be good!
Thanks, Raj, it was amazing! Hope you get a chance to try it!
Thank you so much for this. I’m obsessed with finding vegan recipes and this looks amazing!
x
Missy
Popofstyle.com
You’re welcome, Missy! I hope you enjoy it as much as we did! 🙂