+GF +SF +QP
On our fourth Valentine’s Day together, I wanted to make my then-boyfriend something extra delicious. So I started raiding the cabinets. I came out with a half bottle of orange extract and lot of cocoa powder … and got right to work! And when it was done? I was so proud of myself. It was creamy, rich, decadent … a perfect sweet treat for my handsome valentine. —AS
SERVES 8 TO 12
CRUST
½ cup (85 g) pitted dates
1½ cups (255 g) raw almonds
3 tbsp (45 ml) melted coconut oil
CHEESECAKE
3 cups (330 g) cashews, soaked and then drained
¾ cup (180 ml) orange juice
⅔ cup (160 ml) agave
¼ cup (28 g) cocoa powder
1 tsp (5 g) salt
1 tsp orange extract
¾ cup (180 ml) melted coconut oil
¼ cup (25 g) grated dark chocolate, for garnish (optional)
FOR THE CRUST
Blend all the ingredients together in a food processor or strong blender. I use my Vitamix, and it works like a charm every time. You want the nuts and dates to the consistency of a sort of chunky, less malleable cookie dough.
Scoop the mixture into a 9-inch (23-cm) springform pan (the easiest way) or line a cake or pie tin with parchment paper (less easy) and scoop it into that.
Press the mixture into the sides and bottom of the pan.
Freeze it to set, at least 1 hour or more.
FOR THE CHEESECAKE
After your cashews have soaked for at least an hour, throw them in your blender or food processor. Add the freshly squeezed orange juice, agave, cocoa powder, salt, orange extract and coconut oil. Blend on high for about a minute, more if your machine needs it. The consistency will be that of a thick pudding, whipped and mostly pourable.
Remove the crust from the freezer and pour the cheesecake filling on top, tapping the pan several times on the counter to level the filling completely flat.
Place the assembled cheesecake back in the freezer or in the refrigerator, at least 3 hours to set completely. Placing it in the freezer will result in a firmer, more ice-cream-like texture. Placing it in the fridge will leave it much softer and more like a custard.
Once the cheesecake has set, remove it from the fridge/freezer and top around the outer edge (or anywhere you like, really) with grated chocolate.
Slice, serve and enjoy.