In New York, we love our bagels with a heavy schmear of cream cheese, so it’s no wonder that New York-style cheesecake uses a lot of cream cheese. It’s known for being rich, dense, and slightly tangy, much like a true New Yorker.
This vegan cheesecake recipe is inspired by our Bubbe’s classic cheesecake, which she would make when she came to visit us for holidays or special occasions. It was made with love and a sprinkle of sass and always tasted silky smooth, perfectly tangy, and melt-in-your-mouth delicious.
Our vegan cheesecake captures the richness of our Bubbe’s cheesecake with a buttery graham cracker crust and decadent cream cheese filling. It uses only simple ingredients—no nuts or blender needed! The next time you need a dessert that wows without the dairy, look no further than vegan cheesecake.
Simply Recipes / Ciara Kehoe
Ingredients for a Classic Vegan Cheesecake
- Graham crackers: A simple buttery graham cracker crust is a must. While most graham crackers have honey in them, Nabisco Graham Crackers are naturally vegan!
- Vegan cream cheese: There are plenty of cream cheese brands out there, but for this recipe we like Tofutti. It’s tofu-based, giving it a thick and creamy texture. Trader Joe’s vegan cream cheese has a similar texture and will also work in this recipe.
- Coconut cream: With a higher fat content than regular coconut milk, coconut cream adds fluffiness and richness to the cheesecake.
- Granulated sugar: To ensure your sugar is 100% vegan, look for granulated sugar labeled as “organic” or “vegan.”
- Coconut oil: The melted coconut oil in the filling helps boost the creaminess of the cheesecake while binding everything together.
- Cornstarch: The cornstarch thickens the creamy filling. You can also substitute with arrowroot powder.
- Lemon juice: When the lemon juice combines with the cream cheese and sugar, it creates the subtle tanginess that mimics sour cream in a classic cheesecake.
Simply Recipes / Ciara Kehoe
Tips and Tricks for the Best Vegan Cheesecake
Many of the tricks to great cheesecake still apply for vegan cheesecake:
- The cream cheese should be softened to room temperature to ensure an ultra-creamy and smooth filling.
- Gently tap the pan a few times on the counter before baking to prevent air bubbles.
- Refrigerate the baked cheesecake overnight for the best possible texture. It firms up nicely and the flavors meld together.
- For perfect slices, run your knife under warm water between each cut.
Cheesecake Toppings
This vegan cheesecake pairs well with fresh berries to balance out the richness. It would also be delicious with mixed berry chia jam. For a simple presentation, add a sprinkle of powdered sugar or a dollop of coconut whipped cream.