Holiday Gingersnap Cheesecake
This lusciously smooth non-dairy and egg-free holiday cheesecake is flavored with molasses, ginger, cinnamon and clove and baked in a gingersnap crust. If desired, top with non-dairy whipped cream (from my Non-Dairy Evolution Cookbook) and a dusting of cinnamon before serving. This is my signature cheesecake recipe and technique, and as far as I know, is unique in vegan cheesecake preparation because premade non-dairy cream cheese is not required – the cheesecake filling is created in one easy step. However, the proper baking items are required for success, so please follow the recipe and technique as written. The filling also requires two specialty ingredients which can be obtained from ModernistPantry.com. These ingredients are also commonly used in vegan cheese making (please see my Non-Dairy Evolution Cookbook for cheese recipes).
Special Kitchen Items
• 8” springform pan
• 9” cake pan
• large pan for the bain-marie (water bath)
• large baking sheet to support the bain-marie (optional)
• large food storage container for chilling/storing the cheesecake
• parchment paper
• cooking oil spray
• blender
• food processor
Ingredients for the Crust
• 10 oz vegan gingersnap cookies
• ¼ cup non-dairy butter or margarine, softened
Ingredients for the Cheesecake Filling
• 2 cups (10 oz) dry raw cashews (DO NOT presoak in water)
• 3 cups homemade or commercial soymilk (sorry, no substitutes; this recipe relies on the curdling action of the soymilk when the lactic acid is introduced)
• ¾ cup organic sugar
• 3 T unsulfured molasses
• 4 tsp kappa carrageenan (available from ModernistPantry.com)
• 1 tsp ground ginger
• ½ tsp ground cinnamon
• ¼ tsp ground cloves
• ¼ tsp sea salt
• 4 tsp lactic acid powder (available from ModernistPantry.com)
Preparation
Trace the circumference of the bottom of the springform pan on parchment paper and cut. Assemble the springform pan and spray the interior with cooking oil. Line the bottom with the parchment paper and mist the paper with cooking oil.
8” springform pan lined with parchment paper; 9” cake pan to prevent water from entering springform pan; and aluminum roasting pan for bain-marie set on baking sheet for support.
Position an oven rack in the middle of the oven. Preheat the oven to 325°F/165°C.
Process the gingersnap cookies and softened butter/margarine in a food processor until finely ground. Add the crumbs to the oiled and lined springform pan and pack evenly on the bottom and halfway up the sides. Set aside.
Add the dry raw cashews to a blender with the soymilk and process on high speed for 2 full minutes. Add the remaining filling ingredients EXCEPT for the lactic acid and process until thoroughly blended. With the blender running, add the lactic acid all at once. The mixture will immediately thicken and stop turning in the blades – turn the blender off.
Pour the filling into the springform pan and gently shake the pan side to side or tap the sides to release any air bubbles and help the filling settle.
Place the springform pan into the cake pan and set the cake pan into the bain-marie. DO NOT use aluminum foil as an alternative to the cake pan for preventing water from leaking into the springform pan. Water will condense inside the foil and ruin the cheesecake. Trust me on this one. If using an aluminum roasting pan for the bain-marie, place it on a large baking sheet for support and for ease transferring to and from the oven.
Pour very hot tap water into the bain-marie halfway up the sides of the cake pan. Be careful not to splash water into the cheesecake filling.
Transfer to the oven and bake for 1 hour and 45 minutes. When complete, turn the oven off but leave the cheesecake in the oven for 15 minutes with the oven door slightly ajar (if needed, use an oven mitt to hold the door ajar).
Remove from the oven and carefully remove the cake pan from the water bath. Let the cheesecake cool to room temperature and then remove from the cake pan and release from the springform mold. Leave the cheesecake on the bottom of the springform mold and transfer to the storage container. Seal and refrigerate until thoroughly chilled.
To transfer the cheesecake to a serving plate, carefully slide a thin flexible spatula between the parchment paper and the crust and slide onto the plate. Moisten a knife with warm water to slice the cheesecake. Top with non-dairy whipped cream and a dusting of cinnamon before serving, if desired. Store the cheesecake in the sealed container in the refrigerator.
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