This is my first time creating a pumpkin cheesecake, and I chose to make it dairy-free using cashews and baking it, versus using cashews to make a raw cheesecake. I'm a huge fan of the classic New York-style cheesecake. That said, I'm into non-dairy versions of things, but cheesecake is definitely a challenge to make without thick creamy cheese of some kind.
I didn't have anything to compare it to taste-wise because I've never tasted pumpkin cheesecake made with dairy-based cheese. I use soaked cashews to emulate the texture and flavor of a cheese, and then added lemon juice, salt, sweetener, and a collection of spices to bring the filling together in a high speed blender.
Since I've only tested pumpkin cheesecake with these exact ingredients, I can't say how else I'll make it or what I would subsitute. Yet. I'm enjoying it sliced, somewhat thawed from the freezer. My next step will be to add some coconut whipped cream to the top and maybe powder the top a bit with cinnamon. I'd love to try it with a dairy-based cheese, most likely Farmer's cheese, or Greek (aka dripped) yogurt.
If you're looking for a dairy-based cheesecake that uses yogurt or other creamy cheese, checkout my dairy-based version!
Christine says
I made this for Thanksgiving and it was fantastic!! I was nervous about making a whole dessert just for myself but I ate it up quickly and am making another right now 🙂 Thanks!
Erica says
So nice to hear! I've been eating a lot of it as well, but it's healthy 🙂
Rebecca says
Thank you for your recipes, I've been making many for several years, I was wondering if you could make this without eggs? If so, what would you substitute for it? Not sure if the normal subs would work here. It's possible that gelatin would work, but again, haven't tried it yet.
Erica says
It's quite possible that it will work without eggs because cashews do firm up when baking, but I haven't tried it so you'd be the test :).
Rebecca Schreck says
I did make it and used 7 teaspoons of golden ground flax with 12 t of water.for the 2 large eggs.I also used silk nut milk 10g of protein for the milk. My cooking time was longer and also let rest in turned off oven to totally firm up. We let it set for an hour then couldn't wait any longer and had a small slice it was delicious warm and then refrigerated and tried.. taste best I think thinly sliced. Delicious. I will try making into little muffin tins will have to increase 1 1/2 the crust to do so. This is definitely a keeper:) Do you think you could make it with other things besides pumpkin? Oh by the way my nephew tried and he doesn't like cheesecake and he liked it. My husband said it reminded him of a good pumpkin pie. Thank You! Blessings!!
Erica says
So great to hear!! Yes, another reader also had great success using 2 chia eggs, so it does indeed work. Great to hear the milk worked and yes, I figured you would have to bake it longer. Love the muffin idea. I'm not sure what else you can make it with yet, I'm still working on testing it with yogurt and Farmer's cheese, but maybe pureed fruit, like applesauce? Just an idea. Cheers!
Jennifer Purses says
So excited to try to make this! I’ve been looking for an SCD friendly pumpkin cheesecake recipe (because I have some of your leftover ginger snap crust that I usually use for your blueberry cheesecake bars (which are to die for, btw!!!) and wanted to try it as crust for pumpkin cheesecake...). For how long do you think this will be good for in freezer...? Thanks, Erica!!
Erica says
Oh, love using the ginger snaps as a crust! I think it will last a month or so, but seal it very well so it doesn't dry out.
Lisa says
Is there any other type of nut I could use, rather than cashews?
Erica says
Cashew is the only nut that I've tested. You use dairy-free yogurt instead and then just remove the lemon juice and salt from the filling. You can use the same amount of yogurt (1 cup) but I haven't tested it yet. Let me know if you try it!
Erica says
Just fyi, I tested it with Farmer cheese and yogurt and posted the recipe.
Jennifer wood says
This looks delish Erica - thanks for testing! What size springform is that? Also, what brand of coconut milk do you use for coconut cream (apologies if you answered this somewhere else).
Erica says
Oh! Thank you for asking, meant to put that in, so just added it. I use an 8-inch springform pan. You can also use an 8-inch cake pan. For coconut oil, I use Trader Joe's organic filtered so there is less coconut flavor and odor. I also like the Nutiva brand.
jennifer wood says
Thanks for the reply - I was also hoping you could let us know which coconut cream or coconut milk brand you use for your whipped coconut cream.
Erica says
Yes! For coconut milk I make my own using Trader Joe's unsweetened coconut flakes. For brands, see my post on "how to make coconut milk" for a few brands I've trusted in the past. I much prefer making coconut milk for the taste, but in a pinch I will use Trader Joe's or Aroy-D. Check the ingredients always to avoid additives and gums.