Raspberry, lime and coconut cheesecake

Name: Raspberry, lime and coconut cheesecake
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 30 min
Yield: 12
Ingredients: 1 cup dates; 1 cup sunflower seeds; 1/2 cup dessicated coconut; 1/2 cup cacao powder (or substitute cocoa); 1/4 cup buckwheat groats; 1/4 cup coconut oil (melted if solid); 1 tbsp chia seeds; 1 tbsp sesame seeds; 2 cans lite coconut cream ((totalling 800ml)); 2 cups raspberries ((I used frozen, there's no need to defrost)); Zest and juice of one lime ((approximately 2 tbsp lime juice)); 1/4 cup maple syrup (or sweetener of your choice); 3 1/2 tsp powdered agar; 2 tbsp coconut oil

25 April 2016 By Amber 51 Comments

A bright and fresh tasting raspberry, lime and coconut allergy-friendly vegan cheesecake on a raw seed and cacao base.

We are very fortunate that all of the food choices we make in our home are exactly that, choices. I am acutely aware of how limiting and all encompassing living with allergies can be. Growing up, my brother’s food allergies were so severe that as a young child he wore a badge saying “Please don’t feed me”. As a parent now, I can only imagine how that constant threat of an unexpected reaction in your allergic child must feel. Scary, really scary.

A while ago one of my readers asked how in the world she could make a cheesecake for her son, who is allergic to dairy, eggs, nuts and soy. Well that question sure got me thinking and I’ve been pondering the question ever since. There is always a way.

For a healthier cheesecake, I’d usually make a raw base with almonds and dates as the main ingredients. In this case I’ve swapped the nuts for a range of seeds, which work with coconut, dates, cacao and coconut oil to form a textured and richly chocolatey base. One of the seeds is buckwheat – if you’re not familiar with it, rest assured it’s not wheat and is totally safe to eat if wheat is one of your allergies. Buckwheat is a seed, related to rhubarb.

For the topping I went with a simple combination of lightly sweetened coconut cream, raspberries and lime, set with a little agar and coconut oil. The fat of the coconut cream and oil ensure there’s a rich and creamy mouthfeel, and the raspberry and lime keep the whole thing light and actually quite refreshing in flavour.

Agar may sound like an exotic or difficult ingredient, and I’d agree it’s certainly not standard in most pantries. Bear with me though. Agar, also known as agar-agar (or kanten, in Japan) is an algae-based alternative to gelatin (an animal byproduct). It works in a similar way to ‘set’ a liquid, but its consistency is a little different in that it doesn’t have that plastic, jelly mouthfeel of gelatin. Agar is a colourless powder which has no taste or odour, and it’s inexpensive to get hold of from Asian supermarkets or your local whole foods store (go to Bin Inn if you’re in New Zealand).

The internet tells me there are a few simple rules to follow to have success with agar, #1 make sure you start by adding it to cold liquid, and #2 the liquid it’s dissolved in must be brought to boiling point to activate agar’s setting properties. Well that’s not too hard is it?

I have to say I’m ecstatic with the result of this kitchen experiment. Removing the springform tin and seeing how perfectly set the cheesecake was, and how beautifully it sliced, made me a very happy girl! Free from the big five common food allergens (dairy, egg, wheat, soy and nuts), vegan and refined sugar free, this could well be the ultimate allergy friendly dessert.

You’ll need a food processor to make this recipe.