Mixed Berry Chocolate Cheesecake

By Claire Georgiou, Reboot Naturopath, B.HSc ND

If you’re a cheesecake lover, then your dreams of finding a healthier version have now come true. It’s always fun to make an old classic into something more nutritious and different from the norm. This is a great dessert to make over the holiday season with family and friends. Introducing new foods to those around you can be fun and it’s also a great opportunity to let them try something that is completely different and surprisingly delicious! So I hope you enjoy it as much as I do!

Ingredients

Base:

1 1/4 cup (175 g) almonds
6 dates, pitted
½ cup (30 g) shredded coconut
2 tbsp maple syrup
1 tsp vanilla extract
pinch of sea salt
3 tbsp cacao powder (optional)

Filling:

1/3 cup (75 ml) coconut oil
2 cup (300 g) cashew nuts
3 tbsp maple syrup
½ tsp sea salt
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 cup (75 g) mixed berries (I used boysenberries, raspberries, strawberries)

Berry Jam:

1 cup (75 g) mixed berries
2 tbsp maple syrup
1/3 cup (75 ml) water
1 tsp vanilla extract
Pinch of sea salt

Extra Berries

5 cups (375 g) fresh mixed berries (I used boysenberries, raspberries and strawberries). You can omit this if preferred. 1 cup is added to the base to sit in the filling then 4 cups for the decorating of the top.

Note: You can add 1 tbsp gelatin (grass-fed), agar agar or chia seeds to the berry jam to make it more jelly like. You can also drizzle some melted unsweetened chocolate over the top for an even more amazing dessert.

Directions

Soak the cashews for 4 hours of more then rinse well.
Grease a 20 cm springform cake tin then line with baking paper.
In a food processor, process the almonds until a crumb consistency forms then add the dates, maple syrup, coconut, cacao, vanilla and sea salt until well mixed.
Press the mixture into the tin evenly then sprinkle 1 cup of berries (extras) around the bottom and refrigerate for atleast 1 hour.
Melt coconut oil.
Blend with a high powered blender or food processor to get a smooth consistency the cashews, coconut oil, maple syrup, sea salt and vanilla with the mixed berries. Blend until smooth and creamy.
Pour the filling into the tin to cover the base and the berries evenly and place in the freezer for 1-2 hours or more.
While the filling is setting you can make your berry jam. Place jam ingredients in a saucepan and simmer for 25 minutes then add to a blender to form a smooth consistency or leave chunky if you prefer. You can add the gelatine, agar (see instructions), or chia seeds here.
Once the filling has semi hardened you can arrange all the fresh berries over the top then pour the semi-cooled jam over the top then return this to the fridge to set for 4-6 hours.
Remove from the tin while frozen and leave it out to soften alittle before serving.
Store in fridge or freezer. If store it in the freezer, leave out for 15 minutes before consuming.

Prep Time: 40 minutes

Cook Time: 4 hours (in freezer)

Total Time: 4 hours, 40 minutes

Servings: 12

Serving Size: 1 slice

Substitutions

Cashews – macadamias
Almonds – walnuts, pecans, hazelnut, brazil nuts
Maple syrup – rice syrup, honey
Berries – any berry of your choice

Calories: 370

Fat: 27g

Trans Fat: 8g

Cholesterol: 0mg

Sodium: 105mg

Carbohydrates: 28g

Fiber: 7g

Sugars: 17g

Protein: 10g