Healthy Cheesecake Recipe- Gluten Free, Dairy Free, Refined Sugar Free, Grain Free, GAPS Legal, Vegan Option

I'm a big cheesecake fan. Love the tangy cheesiness... and haven't had any cheesecake for over two years.
That is, until today.
Because I don't eat dairy, or gluten, or refined sugar, or processed foods, or soy... I didn't know it was possible to have cheesecake.
But I found a recipe for a cashew based cheesecake. And yes, cashews sure ain't cheap. I won't be making this one on a regular basis. But for special occasions? Absolutely!

It's everything I could hope for in a cheesecake. Tastes like cheesecake. Doesn't bother my tummy. Is vegan and GAPS diet legal, is refined sugar free, doesn't have any weird/crazy ingredients. And looks pretty too!
I based my recipe off of this one.

The biggest downside is the cost.

Oh well.

Still very yummy.

Note- I don't have a high powered food processor or blender, so mine ended up a bit gritty, but I assume if you have a better one than I do, yours will be smoother.

Healthy Cheesecake Recipe- Gluten Free, Dairy Free, Refined Sugar Free, Grain Free, GAPS Legal, Vegan Option

Ingredients:
1- 1 1/2 cup nuts or seeds
1 cup dates or pitted dates or coconut flakes
3 cups unsalted cashews, soaked overnight
3/4 cup lemon juice
1/4 teaspoon ground vanilla bean or 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2/3 cup coconut oil or palm oil
2/3 cup raw honey (or agave if you're vegan, but its not exactly healthy, nor is it GAPS legal)
1 cup strawberries or raspberries (thawed and drained if using frozen- optional)

Instructions:
1. The crust of this cheesecake is pretty much the same thing as larabars. Anything that would work in larabars will work as a crust. Blend up dates and mix with ground nuts or seeds or coconut, and press them into the bottom and sides of a large pie pan. If your pie pan is small, make two. This probably would also work with ground lightly toasted raw buckwheat. In the picture is a crust made with dates and ground pumpkin seeds.
In order to get this into shape most easily, first make the mixture, and then sprinkle some more ground nuts on the mixture if it is sticking to your fingers when you're trying to press it into place.



2. Blend your soaked cashews with the lemon juice, and when that's blended as much as you can, add the honey and coconut/palm oil, and blend some more. Then add the vanilla.

3. Pour half the mixture into the pie crust.  If you're not adding fruit, just pour the whole thing in at once.



4. Blend up the strawberries or raspberries with the rest of the "cheese" mixture, and pour into the pie.



5. Freeze for an hour or two minimum.

6. Remove from pie pan. Defrost for 10-15 minutes before serving.



7. Cut piece.



8. Devour.

9. Repeat!



Try this one out. It's really yummy- very worthwhile! Just because of the expense, leave it as a once in a while treat, not an every day thing.

Are you a cheesecake fan? If so, what is your favorite type of cheesecake? 
If you're dairy free, have you ever eaten or made a dairy free cheesecake? What's in it?
Does this look like a recipe you'd try?