Description
A vibrant and creamy no-bake dessert featuring a walnut-date chocolate crust topped with a silky cashew-based cheesecake layer swirled with dragon fruit and raspberry. Naturally vegan, gluten-free, and refined sugar-free, these bars are a refreshing, tropical-inspired treat straight from the freezer.
Ingredients
- Crust:
- 1 1/2 cups walnuts
- 1 cup soft Medjool dates, pitted
- 1/4 cup cocoa powder
- 1/8 tsp fine sea salt
- Dragon Fruit–Raspberry Swirl:
- 1/2 cup dragon fruit (fresh or frozen, cubed)
- 1/2 cup raspberries
- 1 tbsp maple syrup
- Cheesecake Layer:
- 1 1/2 cups raw cashews, soaked for at least 4 hours
- 3/4 cup coconut cream (from the top of a chilled can)
- 1/4 cup coconut oil, melted
- 1/4 cup brown rice syrup
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 tsp lemon zest
Instructions
- Line an 8×8-inch square pan with parchment paper.
- In a food processor, blend walnuts, dates, cocoa powder, and salt until the mixture sticks together. Press firmly into the prepared pan and chill.
- In a small saucepan, combine dragon fruit, raspberries, and maple syrup. Cook over medium heat for 2–3 minutes, then simmer 5 minutes until thickened. Cool slightly.
- In a blender or food processor, blend soaked cashews, coconut cream, coconut oil, brown rice syrup, vanilla, lemon juice, and zest until completely smooth.
- Pour the cheesecake mixture over the crust and spread evenly.
- Dollop the fruit swirl over the top and use a knife to swirl into the cheesecake for a marble effect.
- Freeze for 2–4 hours until firm.
- Slice into bars and serve frozen or allow to soften for 10–15 minutes for a creamier texture.
Notes
- Use frozen fruit if fresh isn’t available—just thaw slightly first.
- Double the raspberries if dragon fruit is unavailable.
- Sunflower seeds can replace walnuts for a nut-free crust.
- Soak cashews in hot water for 30 minutes for a quick version.
- Store in freezer up to 1 month for grab-and-go dessert bars.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: No-Bake
- Cuisine: Fusion
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 12g
- Sodium: 45mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 21g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
