A Knock-Out Dessert for your Knock-Out Mom
Vegan, Gluten-Free, Quick & Easy, Make Ahead

This Will Wow Your Mom!
Every once in a while I like to make something that looks as spectacular as it tastes, and this one is a knock-out example. If you want to make something that shows mom how special she is to you, this dessert makes a great presentation. And it is surprisingly simple and easy -- you don't need to be Martha Stewart for this recipe!

Ingredients

For the Gluten-free Crust:
1/2 cup raw macadamia nuts
1 1/2 cup almond flour
2 TBSP coconut oil, melted
2 TBSP maple syrup
Pinch of salt

For the Vegan Cheesecake:
1 1/2 cup raw cashews, soaked at least 2 hours (overnight is great)
1/2 cup agave nectar or maple syrup
1/2 tsp vanilla
Pinch of salt
2 TBSP fresh organic lemon juice
3 TBSP coconut oil, melted

For the Chocolate Ganache:
4 oz bittersweet chocolate (use vegan carob or chocolate if you wish), chopped fine
1/3 cup full fat coconut milk

For the Toppings:
Assorted organic berries or other fruit (blueberries, raspberries, blackberries, chopped mango and kiwi fruit)

Directions

Make the Crust:
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Put the macadamia nuts and almond flour in the food processor and pulse until the nuts are ground. Add the syrup, melted coconut oil, and pinch of salt, and pulse until blended. Press the mixture onto the bottom and sides of a tart or pie pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 12 minutes, until golden, then remove from the oven and cool (you can put it in the freezer to hurry it up.)

Make the Cheesecake Filling:
Drain the soaked cashews and rinse, then drain again. Place the cashews, agave nectar (or maple syrup), vanilla, salt, and lemon juice in a high-speed blender, and blend until smooth, scraping the sides when needed. Keep the motor running and add the melted coconut oil. Blend well. Pour the mixture into the cooled crust, and then chill for at least 2 hours in the freezer.

Make the Ganache:
Chop the chocolate so that the pieces are all smaller than small peas. Heat the coconut milk almost to a boil, and then pour it over the chocolate. Let it stand for a minute, and then blend it well so that the chocolate is smooth and shiny. Let the mixture cool for about 10 minutes, then remove the tart from the freezer and quickly pour and spread the ganache over the cheesecake layer.

Top with the fruit, then chill in the refrigerator for about an hour before serving.
This tart is best served chilled and within a day or so of making. If you want, you can prepare the crust and vegan cheesecake a day (or even two) ahead, cover with plastic wrap, and then just add the chocolate ganache and fruit a couple of hours before serving.
My family raved about this dessert, and yours will too!

What sounds good ?