In anticipation for summer solstice I made these summery vegan cheesecakes which are low-glycemic, raw, vegan and gluten-free. Both lemons and lavender scream summer to me. Lemons are known for boosting our immune systems and improving digestion. They may also improve insulin and liver function. Lavender is commonly used in aromatherapy for its relaxation properties, however, the scientific evidence is limited. This herb can also be eaten and is a small source of calcium and iron.
Maple syrup and dates are two of my favourite natural sweeteners when trying to make healthier desserts. They are both low on the glycemic index which means they help manage blood sugar levels better than other sweeteners (ex. sugar, honey). This is especially important for women with PCOS who are predisposed to developing metabolic syndrome.
Ingredients (makes 12):
Crust:
- 1 cup nuts (I used a mix of walnuts, almonds and cashews)
- 1 tbsp chia seeds
- 1 cup dates
Filling:
- 2 cups cashews, pre-soaked in water for 4 hrs
- 1/2 cup lemon juice (I used 3 small organic lemons)
- 1/4 cup pure maple syrup
- 2 tspns dried culinary lavender
- 1/2 tspn vanilla extract
How to:
- Use parchment paper to oil muffin pan with coconut oil (prevents sticking).
- Place long strips of parchment paper in each muffin mold for easier removal (I saw the Minimalist Baker do this and I think it is genius).
- Process dates, nuts and chia seeds together in a food processor until you get a rough, sticky mixture.
- Transfer spoonfuls of the mixture into the muffin pan and push down firmly and evenly. Set in freezer.
- Blend all filling ingredients together in a blender until smooth and creamy. You may need to add liquid to help out (ex. almond milk).
- Take muffin pan out of freezer and scoop filling on top of each crust, smoothing out to pop air bubbles. I used a 1/4 measuring cup to distribute the filling to each mold and then went back over with a spoon to even them out.
- Decorate if desired (I decorated half with lavender before freezing and the other half with lemons after freezing).
- Set in the freezer for at least 5 hours.
- Gently pull each cake out holding the wax paper. The wax paper will make indents which I smoothed out easily.
- Serve or store in freezer or fridge.
PCOS Powers:
- low-glycemic = helps maintain blood sugar levels
- lemon juice = contains vitamin C which boosts immune system, helps improve digestion, may improve insulin function, boosts liver function
- tree nuts = no cholesterol, high in unsaturated fats which help reduce LDL cholesterol and triglyceride levels, help prevent cardiovascular disease
- chia seeds = high in omega-3s which can help decrease high testosterone and improve egg quality
Happy Solstice! I would love to see how you recreate this vegan cheesecake! Please share your photos with me on Instagram: @phruitfuldish
This recipe was inspired by Em at This Rawsome Vegan Life.
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These look like fun to make and fun to eat. I love lavendar and think it would add a wonderful touch.
Thank you for stopping by! They were very fun and easy too. The lavender flavour is distinct but not overpowering.
I would love to try these! They sound great & are something different. I love your use of the parchment paper to remove them. That’s such a smart idea.
– Cait | http://www.prettyandfun.com
Hi Cait! Thank you. Unfortunately I can’t take credit for the parchment paper idea… I saw it done by The Minimalist Baker first! But I can add that I tried one without (in case it didn’t matter) and ohh yess, they matter. Haha, squished cake everywhere 😛
These look delicious and so pretty! I love both lemon and lavender!
Nellwyn | http://www.thecardinalpress.com
oh this makes me wish I had a food processor even more!! They are so beautiful looking!
My food processor is my most prized kitchen possession (and probably my apartment neighbor’s nemesis as I seem to get to my baking/cooking at 10pm). Thank you for popping by!
These look so beautiful. I really want to eat one.
I just planted some culinary lavender and have been looking for ideas. Looks so good! And I love the parchment paper trick!
I am envious of your homegrown lavender (soon-to-be). I also love the parchment paper trick… I saw the Minimalist Baker do it. It worked perfectly.
Oh those look divine!! I’ll bring the lavender lemonade, you bring the cakes and I’ll meet you underneath the full moon by the giant oak near the water! Happyest of Solstice to you!!! ??
Sounds like a beautiful plan. Hope the summer is starting off great for you 🙂
Why thank you been a bit rocky but helps when I can get up, open my door & smell the salty air of the sea! Hope you are enjoying summer as well. Much Love
Omg, these look delicious and your presentation is beautiful!
Thank you so much! I had a lot of fun with this photo shoot 🙂
The crust is beautiful. I can’t wait to try these.
I could eat the crust alone!!
These look delicious and that’s a neat wax paper trick!
Isn’t it?! I can’t take credit though… saw the Minimalist Baker do it! Works like a charm.
What a pretty Treat !!
These were made for me! I absolutely the lavendar and lemon combo. I cant wait to try these!
Well then I am so grateful you found me and my recipe! Give them a whirl when you get a chance and let me know if they are everything you imagined 🙂
oh woow, this recipe is something else ! great combination of flavors I love lavender and combined with lemon yummy my mouth is watering
Bright, unusual combination of ingredients makes this dessert originality and individuality!
Thank you for noting the uniqueness! I try to add something new to the Internet with my recipes as there are so many great ones out there already!
These are SO cute! I love how you layered them. Totally gonna have to try these out soon!
Thank you! I love the stacking pictures as well. Not practical, but a great shot haha
Oh my soul, these look soo good AND there’s not an ingredient in them that I can’t have. Bonus! Saving the recipe so that I can try them after we get moved in a week or so.
Thank you. Yes, I too always scan ingredient lists for my dietary needs but this one should be okay for most people, except those with nut allergies!
I have a cousin who is vegan, and I never know what to make her. Pinning for later.
Perfect! I bet you’ll both be hooked. I am!
Love love love both lemon and lavender flavors in a cake! Sounds amazing, and love that this recipe is vegan!
Thank you. I used to think vegan desserts were challenging but really there are so many options. 🙂
Those seriously look absolutely delicious. Tempted to eat my screen then I had to calm myself down. But I agree, maple syrup is such a great sweetener!
Haha, oh I’ve been there. Glad they enticed you.
These look delicious and your presentation is amazing!
Thank you so much. I loved photographing these.
These look amazing! However, I am loving your great tip for easy removal, genius!
Isn’t it genius?! I can’t take credit for the original idea though… I saw The Minimalist Baker do it 😛
Oh these look so delightful and perfect for summer!! Lemon cheesecake is my favourite (and lavender is just wonderful, never tried it in cheesecake though!) I’ve yet to try any homemade vegan cheesecakes but I think you’ve inspired me. These look so decadent!!
Thank you very much. Please get back to me if you try them out! Would love to see your take on these babies. I am addicted 😉
These look so beautiful. I have seen so many recipes with lavender lately. I just planted a bunch so will have to experiment with it when it blooms.
Thank you! How exciting you will have your own soon enough and many recipes to choose from.
Love the combination of lemon and lavender! The idea of using cashews for a cheesecake-type filling is still new to me but these make it look great!
Thank you for popping by! I promise the use of cashews is genius for a dessert. I purposely didn’t name them ‘cheese’cakes because there is absolutely no animal products in them! But the Internet likes to call these types of things vegan cheesecakes so for sharing and social media purposes that’s what the Internet will get. Haha, ho hum.
I love lemon and lavender together. The bright citrus taste really cuts into that floral character from the lavender. These are really cute, and they look really tasty.
Your reflection is so accurate! Great pairing. I just finished the last one tonight (they keep well too! bonus!). Yum 🙂
They look so pretty! And I love the idea of dates as a sweetener, such a great idea!
I love dates too. Nature’s candy 😉
Yaaaas! I wish we lived in the same city — you could have brought these over for my Summer Solstice Dinner Party and I could have kept your rosé topped up. 😉 I’m definitely going to give these a go this summer because I’m always looking for healthy vegan baking recipes and these sound right up my alley. Thanks for another gorgeous recipe, Dylan. Have a great weekend!
What a spectacular party it would have been with me there! 😛 But really, thank you so much for your kind words, always. Please show me your creation when you do! xo
Love that these are vegan! They look so delicious!
They look great! And the flavours sound delicious!
What beautiful photos! Thanks for sharing this recipe. I love all things lemon and all things lavender. On the hunt for a lavender honey ice cream recipe!
Thank you so much! And you are very welcome 😛 I think I found a good one for you…. http://foodphotographyetc.blogspot.ca/2012/04/vegan-coconut-honey-lavender-ice-cream.html
YUM! Those look so good. I love dates, and this looks perfect for a sweet summertime treat. Pinning for later!
Wonderful! I hope you get to try them out on a hot, summer day! Thats why I love keeping in the freezer for a cool treat.
Wow, this looks so delicious! I definitely want to try this recipe – thanks for sharing with us!!
Looks Yummy!
These look adorable! I would hate eating them since they look so perfect!
Haha aw, I think that is a food blogger’s dream comment 😛
it looks great. i need to try it once. thx for sharing.
Adding lavender to pretty little dishes makes them seem so special!
Kari
http://www.sweetteasweetie.com
Oh so pretty and I can bet they taste fantastic! This recipe has it all.
These look so adorable!
Oh my goodness! The little bunches of lavender on these are adorable. Plus those ingredients sound so healthy and filling. Thanks for sharing!
Happy you enjoy the little details. Healthy and filling is correct! I may or may not have had one for breakfast a couple times…
Yum! I really like using lavender in desserts. I bet it goes so well with the lemon, too.
It is a lovely combo. What kind of desserts do you use lavender in?
This looks so beautiful!
Thank you! They taste magical too!
Man!! Those cakes look delicious. Great recipe.
Thank you so much! Your photographs are so beautiful so I am quite honored! Hope you get a chance to try them one day. 🙂
OH MY GOSH! I can’t wait to try these!
Plz tell me what you think when you do! Or even better… show me! 🙂
Will do ?
They look yummy and sounds like easy to make. Going to try them. Love anything with lavender. Thank you for sharing.
http://www.hugshomemade.com
You are welcome. Lavender is a beautiful addition to many dishes (and great essential oil, too!).
These look yummy and beautiful!
themodestfoxpr.blogspot.com
These look lovely
These look amazing!
http://www.theeditorialistla.com/
Omg! These look yummy! Love your photos, I’ll have to try a few recipes! I have a recipe that is looks similar for pumpkin cheesecake bites!
Great recipe! Good for those of us trying to keep our Type 2 Diabetes in check.
These look so delicious! I love all your photos too, they are gorgeous!
Wonderful recipe. I love lemon and lavender together
Great post, I’d love to try. Where do you get your lavender? I cant use mine from the garden?
How pretty! I love both lavender and lemon flavors in summertime. That trick with the parchment is definitely genius. I can’t wait to try it!
These look so incredible! Can’t wait to try them 🙂
These look delicious. I need to try making them.
These look delicious! I can imagine they would be a hit at a brunch or tea party!
Amazing! Your recipes and photos makes me hungry..all the time. You are our MOST POPULAR/MOST CLICKED entry, thank you for sharing this over at Healthy Living Link Party. Can’t wait to see what you have to share this week 🙂 Hope to see you again!
Wow!! That is unreal. So pleased these healthy cuties are a hit. Is the linkup posted for this week? I couldn’t see it on your site. You have a great community.
What a delectable vegan dessert. I can’t wait to make this recipe. So yummy! I am featuring this post on this week’s Healthy Living Party at urbannaturale.com. All the best, Deb
The tip about the parchment paper strips is genius!
OMG! Just by the pics, got me so hungry! Can’t believe it could be this easy. Thanks for the share. xx
http://www.prettyweirdbombshell.com/super-easy-trout-recipe/
these look so amazing! i love anything with lavender in it!
http://www.layersofchic.com
These look divine! Anything that is cheesecake or lemon is my favourite 🙂
Oh my word….this looks fantastic. I have never heard about a cake like this. I think I am going to try this recipe
These look to good to eat!! So beautiful! I need to try these!
Maybe almost too good, but not quite! Once they are in front of you they are addictive. 😉
Oh my gosh how beautiful are these things! Bravo!
Thanks so much!
These look amazing, thanks for sharing!
https://www.thetaylorsauce.com
These are adorable! I love that they are vegan! I have some culinary dried lavendar waiting to be used, and this is a great idea. <3 Pinning!
Thank you! Culinary lavender is fun to experiment with. And you can count on me for all vegan treats ?