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7.17.19

Espresso Chocolate Chip Cheesecake {Paleo, Vegan}

Vegan Egg Free

This creamy paleo and vegan cheesecake has a chocolate cookie crust topped with a rich cashew based espresso chocolate chip cheesecake layer.  It’s a rich and decadent yet healthy dessert made with good for you, real food ingredients.  Dairy-free, gluten-free, refined sugar free.

This creamy paleo and vegan cheesecake has a chocolate cookie crust topped with a rich cashew based espresso chocolate chip cheesecake layer.  It’s rich and decadent yes healthy dessert made with good for you, real food ingredients.  Dairy-free, gluten-free, refined sugar free.

This might just be my favorite vegan cheesecake yet – I cannot get over the flavor!  I am definitely a coffee lover but don’t use espresso powder in my dessert recipes often.

I started craving an espresso cheesecake about a month ago and knew I had to make my idea a reality.  It came out even better than expected with rich, creamy, thick texture (just like a real cheesecake!) and sweet but not too sweet flavor, with just the right amount of coffee flavor.

Oh, and let’s not forget about the chocolate!  Dark chocolate chip and a thick chocolate cookie crust perfectly complement the espresso flavor.

This creamy paleo and vegan cheesecake has a chocolate cookie crust topped with a rich cashew based espresso chocolate chip cheesecake layer.  It’s rich and decadent yes healthy dessert made with good for you, real food ingredients.  Dairy-free, gluten-free, refined sugar free.

Let’s start with the crust.  The crust is the only part of this recipe that’s baked – and it’s super simple.  The dough is mixed in one bowl and pressed into the bottom of your springform pan.  I used a 9″ pan but you can definitely use an 8″ as well.

The crust baked for just about 10 minutes, and you can get started on the filling in the meantime.  I wouldn’t pour the filling over a hot crust, but you also don’t have to wait for it to cool completely – a warm crust is fine.

This creamy paleo and vegan cheesecake has a chocolate cookie crust topped with a rich cashew based espresso chocolate chip cheesecake layer.  It’s rich and decadent yes healthy dessert made with good for you, real food ingredients.  Dairy-free, gluten-free, refined sugar free.

The filling is similar to most of my other cheesecake recipes.  It uses cashews as a base because cashews create the absolutely best “fakeout” cheesecake.  Macadamias may work as well, but they are pricer, and I also haven’t tested it with macadamias.

The cashews will need to soak in water for about 2-4 hours prior to blending up the filling.  The soaking softens them and makes them easier to blend.  Nothing fancy is required with the soaking, I simply put mine in a bowl, cover with water, and leave it out on the countertop.

Aside from the cashews, the filling uses coconut oil, coconut cream, vanilla, espresso powder, and is sweetened with pure maple syrup.  I recommend using a high speed blender like a Vitamix, but a food processor should work too.  Depending on what you’re using to blend, the filling should take about 1-3 minutes to get to that nice thick and creamy consistency.

This creamy paleo and vegan cheesecake has a chocolate cookie crust topped with a rich cashew based espresso chocolate chip cheesecake layer.  It’s rich and decadent yes healthy dessert made with good for you, real food ingredients.  Dairy-free, gluten-free, refined sugar free.

Once the filling is done, it’s time to stir in about half of the chocolate chips.  I saved the rest for gently stirring in after I poured the filling into the crust, to make sure they don’t sink straight down to the bottom.

I recommend chilling the cheesecake for at least 4 hours in the refrigerator, but overnight will give you the best results.  If you want to speed up the setting time, it’s totally fine to use the freezer!  If the cake freezes completely, you’ll need to either allow it to thaw on the countertop for about 30 minutes or in the refrigerator for an hour or two.

I hope you’re ready for an extra-special healthy dessert that will no doubt WOW anyone who takes a bite!  Grab your blender and get those cashews soaking, because it’s time to make this espresso chocolate chip cheesecake – let’s go!

Espresso Chocolate Chip Cheesecake {Paleo, Vegan}

This creamy paleo and vegan cheesecake has a chocolate cookie crust topped with a rich cashew based espresso chocolate chip cheesecake layer.  It’s rich and decadent yes healthy dessert made with good for you, real food ingredients.  Dairy-free, gluten-free, refined sugar free. This creamy paleo and vegan cheesecake has a chocolate cookie crust topped with a rich cashew based espresso chocolate chip cheesecake layer.  It’s rich and decadent yes healthy dessert made with good for you, real food ingredients.  Dairy-free, gluten-free, refined sugar free.

Espresso Chocolate Chip Cheesecake {Paleo, Vegan}

This creamy paleo and vegan cheesecake has a chocolate cookie crust topped with a rich cashew based espresso chocolate chip cheesecake layer. It’s rich and decadent yet made with good for you, real food ingredients. Dairy-free, gluten-free, refined sugar free.
Author: Michele
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Chilling Time: 4 hrs
Servings: 12 servings
Print this Recipe
Did you make this recipe?
Leave a review
5 from 3 votes

Ingredients

Crust:

  • 1/2 cup smooth almond butter
  • 2 Tbsp organic coconut oil
refined melted and cooled to almost room temp
  • 1/3 cup pure maple syrup
  • 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
  • 1/4 cup blanched almond flour
  • 1/2 cup raw cacao powder
  • 1/4 tsp baking soda
  • 1/8 tsp sea salt

Cheesecake:

  • 2 cups raw cashews soaked for at least 4 hours, or overnight, rinsed well and gently dried with paper towel
  • 1/3 cup refined coconut oil soft but solid
  • 1/3 cup coconut cream
  • 1/2 cup pure maple syrup
  • 2 Tbsp fresh lemon juice
  • 2 tsp pure vanilla extract
  • 2 Tbsp espresso powder
  • 1/4 tsp sea salt
  • 1/2 cup dark chocolate chips

Whipped Cream {Optional}

  • 1 cup coconut cream chilled overnight
  • 1 Tbsp pure maple syrup
  • 1/2 tsp pure vanilla extract

Instructions

For the Crust:

  1. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees. I recommend using either a 9” or 8” springform pan. The photos were taken after using a 9” pan.
  2. Mix all ingredients together with a spoon until a thick cookie dough forms. Press into bottom of the springform pan. Bake 10-12 minutes until just set, then remove and cool while you prepare the cheesecake layer.

For the Cheesecake Layer:

  1. Add all ingredients (except for the chocolate chipto a high powdered blender (I used a vitamior food processor and blend, gradually increasing the speed, until thick and creamy. Stir in half of the chocolate chips.
  2. Pour the filling into partially cooled crust and top with remaining chocolate chips, swirling some in and leaving some on top. Refrigerate at least 4 hours to set. You can also freeze this cake if preferred to make it set faster.
  3. I like to chill it overnight in the refrigerator for the best, creamiest results before serving. If frozen, allow it to thaw for 30 minutes at room temperature before serving. Store leftovers covered in the refrigerator for up to 5 days or in the freezer for up to 2 weeks.

For the Whipped Cream {Optional}:

  1. In a mixing bowl, beat the chilled whipped cream with an electric hand mixer until creamy. Add in the syrup and vanilla and beat on low to incorporate. Top cheesecake right away, or refrigerate immediately to use later. Enjoy!

Recipe Notes

Prep Time does not include the time needed to soak your cashews.

Nutrition

Calories: 405kcal
Fat: 30g
Saturated fat: 14g
Cholesterol: 1mg
Sodium: 114mg
Potassium: 423mg
Carbohydrates: 32g
Fiber: 4g
Sugar: 18g
Protein: 8g
Vitamin C: 1.2%
Calcium: 102%
Iron: 2.7%

Did you make this recipe?

Tag @PaleoRunningMomma on Instagram and hashtag it #PaleoRunningMomma

Shop Products and Ingredients:

Want More Vegan + Paleo Cheesecake Recipes?  Try One of These!

Chocolate Cheesecake with Chocolate Cookie Crust

Paleo + Vegan Pumpkin Chocolate Cheesecake

Strawberry Lemon Cheesecake

Lemon Berry Cheesecake Tart

Key Lime Cheesecake Tart

Chocolate Chip Cookie Vanilla Cheesecake

Note: This post contains Amazon affiliate links. This means that if you click on a link and make a purchase, I will receive a small commission at no cost to you. Thank you for supporting Paleo Running Momma!

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About Michele

More than a little into running and paleo recipes (yoga now too!) but I'm not here to rain on your grains (or anything else) so come along for the ride! I do a little too much of everything (except cleaning), and I enjoy laughing at myself. As long as I'm the one making the jokes, that is. Just kidding. So bring me your angst, your appetite and your frying pan and climb aboard!

Reader Interactions

Reader Reviews & Comments

  1. Alicia Storms says

    July 17, 2019 at 8:56 am

    Hi,
    I’m drooling, I just can’t wait to try this at home.
    I love choco chip and cherry on this cake is that it is vegan which is amazing.
    Thank you for sharing this recipe. Keep sharing 🙂

    Reply
  2. Parizad in az says

    July 17, 2019 at 1:29 pm

    Hi 🙂
    This recipe looks scrumptious! My question is, instead of the espresso powder, can I sub cacao powder, same amount? Love the chocolate flavor, just not the coffee flavor.

    Reply
  3. Addison says

    July 17, 2019 at 1:54 pm

    This looks like your best cheesecake yet! I love the coffee and dark chocolate flavors together. Definitely making this!

    Reply
  4. Chapi says

    July 18, 2019 at 2:02 pm

    This looks and sounds absolutely DREAMY. I love coffee desserts!

    Reply
  5. Lyss says

    August 6, 2019 at 11:38 am

    5 stars
    This recipe is wonderful and so easy to put together if you think ahead just a smidge! My husband and I both loved it! Thanks so much, Michele!

    Reply
  6. Dl says

    September 13, 2019 at 1:06 pm

    5 stars
    Was such a hit!
    I used peanut butter in the shell and swirled chocolate in the top. Everyone loved it!

    Reply
  7. Shell shockers says

    November 24, 2019 at 2:11 am

    5 stars
    Now with the help of this recipe I’m gonna bake same cake for my son’s birthday. Thank you.

    Reply

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Hi! I’m so happy you stopped by! My name is Michele and I’m a Paleo eater and recipe creator, runner, mom of 3, and the gal behind Paleo Running Momma! Over here you’ll find real-food, clean eating family favorites that you’ll be excited to share with your loved ones. I hope you stay awhile, eat, savor, and enjoy!

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