Fall Fig Cheesecake Bars

4 colors

THE WHY BEHIND THIS RECIPE

These are a friend favorite - once I’ve brought these to a dinner or friends house once, they ALWAYS request them! They require ZERO baking, just some freezer time to set. They are simple and the crust is primarily sweetened with dates, but it sneaks in some almond flour and Zen Basil seeds to balance this with some fiber and micronutrients.

Makes 12 bars

Total time: 60 minutes

• Prep time: 15 minutes

• Freeze time: 45 minutes

WHAT YOU NEED

DATE CRUST

• 1 cup cashews, raw

• 1/3 cup almond flour

• 2 fresh figs

• 1 cup of pitted dates

• 2 tbsp chia or Zen Basil seeds

• 1 tbsp maple syrup

• 1 tbsp coconut oil, melted

• 1/4 tsp kosher salt

FILLING

• 1 1/2 cup cashews, soaked or boiled

• 1 cup coconut cream

• 1 tbsp vanilla

• 1 1/2 tsp cinnamon

• 1/2 tsp cardamom

• 1 tbsp maple syrup

• 1 lemon juiced and zested

• 1/4 tsp kosher salt

TOPPING

• 6 fresh figs, thinly sliced

How TO DO IT

1. Get a pot of water boiling, and boil 1 1/2 cups of raw cashews for 15 minutes to soften up.

2. In a food processor or blender, add 1 cup raw cashews (not the soaked ones), almond flour, 2 figs, chia seeds, dates, 1 tbsp maple syrup, 1 tbsp coconut oil, and 1/4 tsp of salt. Food process until fully combined and dates are broken down. You may need to stop, stir and mix again!

3. In a square 9×9 pan with parchment paper, press in your date crust and try to get it as flat and even as possible. You could also do these in silicone bar molds or in muffin molds!

4. Place in the freezer while you make the filling.

5. In a blender, add your soaked and drained cashews, coconut cream, vanilla, maple syrup, cinnamon, lemon juice, and 1/4 tsp of salt. Blend on high until cashews are fully puréed. The mixture should be creamy!

6. Remove your date crust from the freezer and pour the mixture over your crust. Use a spatula to spread evenly. Set in freezer for 15 minutes.

7. In the mean time, thinly slice your figs. Remove from freezer and gently press the figs on top. Place back into freezer for 45 minutes - 1 hour. Cut into squares and enjoy! These will keep in the fridge for 3-4 days few days but I doubt they will last that long.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Sonja Manning (@sonjakmanning)

Nutritional Info

Per serving, makes about 12 servings

Calories: 314
Total Fat: 20g
Carbs: 29g
Fiber: 7g
Net Carbs: 22g
Protein: 7g
Sugars: 12g