====== Cheesecake ======

> About 2.5 hours the day before, and an overnight chill. Fills an 9" springform.

  - Grease a 9" springform.
  - //Soak the cashews//
    - Put **1 cup raw cashews** in a mixing bowl, cover them in boiling water.
    - Soak them for an hour, then drain them completely.
  - //Parbake the graham cracker crust//
    - Oven to 350F.
    - Crush **about 1 1/2 cups graham crackers** in a food processor.
    - Pour in **4-5 Tbsp melted butter** and pulse to mix.
    - Pour into the springform and pack down with a flat-bottomed glass.
    - Bake 8-10 minutes, until lightly browned.
  - //Bake the cheesecake//
    - Blend the following on high until smooth. Taste and adjust flavor.
      - Soaked cashews
      - **1 cup coconut cream**
      - **8oz vegan cream cheese**
      - **1 Tbsp arrowroot or cornstarch**. If adding fruit, add a little more cornstarch.
      - **2/3 cup maple syrup**
      - **1 Tbsp melted coconut oil**
      - **2 tsp lemon zest**
      - **1-2 Tbsp lemon juice**
    - Oven to 325F.
    - Pour into springform over pre-baked crust. Tap the pan on the counter to remove air bubbles.
    - Optional: Ribbon in a fruit compote just before it goes in the oven.
    - Bake 50-55 minutes, until there's only a slight jiggle in the center.
  - //Add the sour cream topping//
    - Set the cheesecake aside and set oven to 375F.
    - Whisk until smooth:
      - **12oz vegan sour cream**
      - **1/4 cup powdered sugar**
      - **1 1/2 tsp apple cider vinegar**
      - **1 Tbsp cornstarch**
    - When the cheesecake has cooled about 10 minutes, pour topping over it and bake another 10 minutes at 375F.
  - //Chill//
    - Rest on the counter for 15 minutes, then uncovered in the fridge for an hour, then covered in the fridge overnight.

Based on [[https://minimalistbaker.com/easy-baked-cheesecake-vegan-gf/|The Minimalist Baker's Easy Baked Cheesecake]] and Costco sour cream cheesecake.

==== History ====

  * Made plain and strawberry August 17, 2019. Shared with friends at cafe flora.
  * Made plain and strawberry August 17, 2020. Shared with Misch and Gary at the park.
  * Made August 6, 2021
  * Made February 12th, 2022
  * August 2023: Best strawberry one yet. Plain came out a bit underdone in the middle.
    * Used zest of a whole lemon, but cut lemon juice in half.
    * Blended strawberry in, left a little chunky, instead of ribboning.
    * In the sour cream topping, Forager sour cream, a little Miyokos cream cheese, apple cider vinegar and powdered sugar.

{{tag>baking dessert}}