Sometimes I take recipe requests. 😉 When a friend of mine asked me to create a grain-free version of some key lime white chocolate cookies, I couldn’t resist! But I decided to go in a very different direction to make them mini “cheesecakes” of puréed cashews.
They’re a no-bake treat in addition to being dead simple and grain-free, because who wants to turn the oven on in the summer? Or wait and watch to make sure your baked dessert doesn’t burn? Not me. I love the spoon-it-out-and-freeze strategy when making treats, maybe you do too.
These mini key lime pie cheesecakes balance the creaminess of coconut milk with the natural sweetness of cashews, finished with the faintest tart flavor of lime. One note about key limes, while we’re on the topic: they have a slightly different flavor, leaning just a bit toward that of an orange, and are considered less sour than the more commonly available Mexican limes. However, with the addition of the other ingredients in this recipe, regular lime juice and zest will work just as well and be just as delicious. These mini key lime pie cheesecakes look fancy, taste fancy but are so simple to whip up. They’re a healthy dessert choice and take less than 10 minutes to make once the cashews have been soaked. When they’re finished and frozen, I let them soften for about 10 minutes on a plate at room temperature before serving.
Before we get to the recipe, you may have noticed a new little “Yum” button at the top of my posts, and a “Yummly” option in the share widget at the bottom of my posts. What is this about? If you’re not already familiar with it, Yummly is a recipe sharing site that puts every “yummed” recipe in the world in your pocket. A powerful recipe search, posts by all the bloggers you love, a digital recipe box option, recipe recommendations just for you, and a smart shopping list – all with you wherever you go. Yummly has the #1 iPhone, iPad and Android apps in addition to millions of visitors to the Yummly site. I was seriously impressed with how the Yummly iPhone app thoroughly screens your recipe recommendations according to your preferences/allergies, and I’m really excited to have my own Fresh Planet Flavor publisher page on Yummly, where you can see all of my yummed recipes at a glance, and add them to your digital recipe box and collections if you choose. The more recipes that you love and “yum”, the smarter your recommendations on Yummly get! So head over there, take a look around, and whenever you want to add one of my recipes to your recipe box, just hit the “Yum” buttons at the top/bottom of my posts here on Fresh
And now, mini key lime pie cheesecakes!
- 2 cups cashews, divided
- 1 cup dates
- 1/3 cup coconut milk
- 1/3 cup + 1 tbsp coconut oil
- 3 tbsp maple syrup
- 1 tbsp lime juice
- To make the crust: pulse 1 cup of the cashews with the dates and 1 tablespoon of coconut oil into a coarse paste. Divide between 9 cups in a muffin tin, pressing crust firm and flat with your fingers. To make the filling: soak 1 cup of the cashews for 4-6 hours, drain, then purée until smooth with the coconut milk, 1/3 cup of coconut oil, the maple syrup and lime juice. Divide evenly over the crusts. Top with cashews and lime zest if desired, freeze until firm (minimum 1 hour).
- To serve, let the cheesecakes stand at room temperature for five minutes, then work a knife around the perimeter until the cheesecakes loosen. Enjoy chilled.
The Comments
Rianna, Bohemian Wanderlust
I absolutely love citrus desserts. So delicious and refreshing, I will certainly be making these! Thank you, rianna xo
Grok Grub
Rianna, Bohemian WanderlustYes, these are fantastic for summertime. 🙂
Bethany
Yummy and healthy, the best of both worlds. I think nuts are such a great substitute for dairy products.
Grok Grub
BethanyI’m convinced cashews are magical. 😉
Ashleigh
These look and sound to be amazing! I know my hubby would love them! Thank you for sharing!
Trisha @ The Ham & Cheese Of It
My husband was walking by and said I needed to make what was ever on my screen because it looked so dang delicious! Thanks for sharing, now I have to recreate this! lol
Grok Grub
Trisha @ The Ham & Cheese Of ItHa, that’s awesome!
Jackie
Oooh this looks so good, I will definitely be trying this. Perfect for all dietary needs = which means perfect for guests 🙂
Grok Grub
JackieYep, just make sure no one has a nut allergy… o_o
Aishwarya S
I cannot resist these cheesecakes! They look so delicious and amazing! 🙂
Grok Grub
Aishwarya SI know, such a cool concept. Cashews, who knew?
Nikki
These look so good! I can’t wait to try them.
Joanie @ ZagLeft
I love key lime recipes and can’t wait to try your version.
Leanne
These look so good and I can not wait to try them!
Gunjan
That looks perfect to satisfy my sweet tooth. 🙂
Leah
These cheesecakes look fantastic! So great for summer!
Miss Angie
Those look delicious! I love anything key lime.
Grok Grub
Miss AngieMe too, that perfect pop of sweet in a dessert.
kristen
Whoa, these look great! Perfect dessert for summer! Thanks for sharing!
Grok Grub
kristenThanks! Yep, frozen treats are so amazing when temps rise…
Karen M Peterson
These sound really yummy and perfect for the summer!
Grok Grub
Karen M PetersonThey’re soooo delicious!
Vanessa
Only 6 ingredients!! That is my kind of recipe. Also Key Lime Pie is one of my favorite things!
Grok Grub
VanessaYou should make them and tell me how much they actually taste like key lime pie. I can’t remember the last time I had the real thing!
danica
Grok GrubI made this, I really liked it but I feel like the amount of coconut oil in it made it too oily
Grok Grub
danicaOh, no! Maybe that’s what happens wen they get too melty before eating, did you let them thaw?
Tirralan - Tinseltown Mom
This looks so healthy. I love this version of one of my favorite desserts!
Patricia @ Grab a Plate
These sound sooo good (and look adorable)! Will you take my request for a delivery of about a dozen to my front doorstep? Love them!
Amanda
I never would have thought to combine cashews and dates for the crust. Looks yummy!
Grok Grub
AmandaYep, tasty and simple. 🙂
Triund Baba
thanks a lot for this easy recipe for Dairy Free Cheese Cake…I’ll try with small sized cake with Cashew Cheese and…sure this gives me a good alternative for regular dairy Cheese 🙂
Thanks again and Best Wishes,
Fran
Oh my goodness those look super delicious!!!
Ariana
These are so cute! I used to make a lot of sweets with soaked cashews back in my vegan days. I was always amazed by how creamy they can get! While I don’t miss the veganism, I definitely need to get back to making some great cashew treats. Thanks for this fantastic recipe!
Megan Stevens
I had to comment because these look amazing– soo special and yummy!!! Pinned. Great photographs!
Grok Grub
Megan StevensAwww, thank you! I love cute little desserts.
karen
Never thought lime and cashews would go together but this looks like match made in heaven!
Grok Grub
karenThey go great! 🙂
Katie | The Antidote Life
These are right up my alley!!
linda spiker
These look fabulous Rachel and I love the beautiful green lime zest on each cheesecake! I am hungry now. 🙂
Anna @Green Talk
Love key lime pie. These look great. I can’t eat dairy and have made key lime using oat milk. Not the best. Pinning.
Grok Grub
Anna @Green TalkTry this! They’re soooooo tasty and easy.
Tarah @ What I Gather
Have you every cooked something that isn’t beautiful? If you say yes I don’t think I’ll believe you. 🙂
Sylvie | Gourmande in the Kitchen
I love a good no-bake recipe like this, especially in the summer months!
Grok Grub
Sylvie | Gourmande in the KitchenTotally, can’t beat them.
Krystal
I don’t get key limes where I live but I’m just gonna have to give this a try with regular ones. I love that they’re no bake. These days are just scorching!
Michelle
Holy smokes, these look so delicious!! And your photos are incredible! My favorite food is / was cheesecake anomy husbands is / was Key Lime Pie, so this is definitely a keeper. Can’t wait to try these out. xo
Grok Grub
MichelleWow, then these are perfect for you two!
Gina @ So Let's Hang Out
YES!! Love these. Let’s just never turn on our oven. Summer needs all the no bake things.
Robin Laney
Do you think I could sub honey for the maple syrup?
Grok Grub
Robin LaneyYep, I definitely think that work.
Kellan
I have a dumb question… are the cashews raw? Or roasted? Or…?
Grok Grub
KellanRaw!
Ali
Do you use the full-fat coconut milk from a can or the coconut milk from a carton? Thanks.
Grok Grub
AliFull fat coconut milk from the can. 🙂
Tee
I just made this today, and it’s setting in the freezer right now. From the clean up on the spatula, I can tell it taste fantastic. I used homemade coconut milk that I make from brown coconuts, which helps take the flavor over the top. Great recipe!
Fresh Planet Flavor
TeeWonderful, hope you like the chilled final result! The homemade coconut milk from brown coconuts sounds amazing, btw.
Linda
When you say 1/3 cup of coconut oil is that solid or melted,?
Fresh Planet Flavor
LindaGood question: that’s melted!