Blueberry Bliss Cheesecake Bars

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THIS VEGAN DESSERT FEATURES CREAMY LAYERS OF BLUEBERRY AND VANILLA “CHEESECAKE” ATOP A NATURALLY SWEET CRUST OF MEDJOOL DATES, PECANS AND SLIGHTLY SALTY ROASTED ALMONDS. TOPPED WITH FRESH BLUEBERRIES AND COCONUT SHREDS.

Course: Dessert

Keyword: blueberry, cheesecake, cheesecake bars, coconut, coconut milk, dates, plant-based, plant-based dessert, spring 2019, vegan, vegan dessert, vegan recipe contest, vegetarian

Servings:

Calories: 474kcal

Author: Meghan Shookman

Ingredients

1 cup coconut milk from 2 cans Simple Truth coconut milk, divided
1½ cups pitted Medjool dates
1 cup Simple Truth sea salt roasted almonds
1 cup toasted pecan pieces
1 cup raw cashews; soaked overnight and drained, divided
4 tablespoons Simple Truth maple syrup, divided
1 teaspoon Simple Truth Madagascar vanilla extract, divided
1 cup desiccated coconut shreds, divided
½ cup Simple Truth frozen blueberries

Instructions

Place both cans of coconut milk in the fridge the night before making the cheesecake.
To make crust, add dates, almonds and pecans to a food processor; pulse until ingredients clump together in a crust-like consistency. Transfer to an 8×8-inch loaf pan, and press until uniform and flat. Place in freezer.
To make vanilla layer, add ½ cup of soaked cashews to food processor. Pulse until a smooth paste is formed. Add ½ cup coconut milk (from can placed in the fridge; scoop the cream from the top, and use the liquid), 2 tablespoons maple syrup, ½ teaspoon vanilla and ½ cup desiccated coconut. Process another 15-20 seconds.
Pull loaf pan from freezer, and layer vanilla cheesecake on top of crust. Return pan to freezer; allow 2 hours for vanilla layer to set.
To make blueberry layer, add ½ cup soaked cashews to food processor. Pulse until a smooth paste is formed. Add ½ cup coconut milk (from can placed in the fridge; scoop the cream from the top, and use the liquid), 2 tablespoons maple syrup, ½ teaspoon vanilla, ½ cup of desiccated coconut and ½ cup frozen blueberries. Pulse again another 15-20 seconds.
Pull pan out of freezer, and layer blueberry cheesecake on top of frozen vanilla layer. Garnish top with additional blueberries and coconut shreds, if desired. Allow to freeze 2 hours.
Remove from freezer, and allow to thaw 20–30 minutes. Slice into bars.

Notes

More than 500 readers submitted entries for the debut Live Naturally/Vegan Fusion vegan-recipe contest. This delicious, plant-based creation was among the 21 that rose to the top.

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