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Whether you’re vegan or not, these berry cherry layered creamy vegan bars are amazing. They’re like a no bake vegan cheesecake made with raw cashews. It’s hard to describe just how yummy this vegan layered dessert is! If you are looking for a new raw vegan dessert recipe, this is for you! They make an incredible snack at any time of the day.
Berry cherry layered creamy vegan bars are a healthy treat for anyone, vegan or otherwise. This simple, no bake vegan cheesecake dessert tastes so good.
Also try this blue mermaid breakfast bowl, smoothie freezer packs or Fruit Loop dream squares.
Why You’ll Love These
- Healthy: Berry cherry layered creamy vegan bars are a healthy treat for anyone, vegan or otherwise.
- No bake: Since it’s a no bake vegan cheesecake dessert you don’t even have to heat up your kitchen using the oven.
- Tasty: There’s no denying these are delicious, and proof you can make vegan bars which are just as flavour-packed as any other kind of bar.
Vegan Bars Ingredients
The ingredients used to make these are walnuts, cashews, dates, maple syrup (agave syrup also works), lemon juice, berries, cherries, coconut oil, and a pinch of salt.
You can use frozen blueberries instead of fresh blueberries in the cashew cheesecake bars, so long as you thaw them completely and dry them on paper towels.
There are four layers in total in this raw vegan recipe. But don’t be put off by the ingredient list or the layering of these vegan dessert bars. They are easy to make, I promise!
How to Prepare Raw Cashews
You will see this is a recipe made with raw cashews. So how do you prepare those?
Well, first of all let’s look at why raw cashews should be soaked. Cashews, which technically aren’t a nut but a seed from a cashew apple, are soft-shelled. This is because the exterior is a caustic resin instead of a hard shell. And that’s what needs to be soaked off.
Even a recipe for raw vegan bars will call for the cashews to be soaked, for this reason. Some similar recipes call for vegan cream cheese or coconut cream for an unctuous, rich texture, but the coconut oil and cashews takes its place (and are more natural) in the cheesecake layer.
Three hours should be long enough (on the countertop) but you can also soak them overnight (in the refrigerator though). Just bear in mind over-soaking can make them slimy and bitter. Soaking removes the resin coating and also makes the cashews softer.
How to Make this Vegan Layered Dessert
For more detailed instructions with weights and measurements, jump to the printable recipe card.
Work layer by layer, and these berry cherry layered creamy vegan bars will be so easy to make.
Prepare the first layer: The first layer, or base layer, is where you start. Walnuts, dates, maple or agave syrup, coconut oil, and a pinch of salt go into the food processor.
Process the ingredients: Mix these ingredients until you have a well-combined, sticky mixture. You can then press it into a pan and refrigerate while you work on the next layers.
Make the next layer: The cherry layer is a tasty combination of cherries, cashews, lemon, maple or agave syrup, coconut oil, and sea salt. Use a blender to combine these ingredients.
Freeze it: One the cherry layer is on top of the base layer in this raw vegan recipe, freeze it for a while.
Make the berry layer: The next layer is going to be the vegan blueberry cheesecake layer. For this one, you just need to combine everything in the blender again. Add it on top of the cherry layer once it’s set.
Prepare the top layer: Finally you can make the white layer and this is going to be the top layer in this vegan layered dessert. Again it’s simply a matter of blending everything together. You need cashews, lemon, maple or agave syrup, coconut oil, and a pinch of salt, for this layer.
No Bake Vegan Cheesecake Tips
It’s your choice whether to use a pinch of sea salt in the layers, in some of the layers or not at all. I like the way the salt contrasts with the sweet flavours but use your own judgement for this.
Also feel free to use whichever nuts you like best. Cashews are always good and many vegan recipes are made with raw cashews. But you’ll also find walnuts, peanuts or almonds will work just as well. Consider using a mixture of different nuts here.
As for the berry layer, use your favourite berries or whichever you happen to have to hand. Blackberries, blueberries and raspberries are all amazing in berry cherry layered creamy vegan bars. I like to shop for seasonal berries at the farmers’ market. You can’t get much fresher than that! Leftover berries are great whizzed up with some coconut milk for a vegan smoothie.
The sweetener can be your choice of maple syrup, agave syrup or even honey (unless you’re strictly vegan). Sugar would also work. I like the flavour of maple syrup in mine.
If you use refined coconut oil these won’t taste of coconut. They might have a little coconut flavour if you use unrefined coconut oil.
These delicious bars are great for everyone, whether you happen to be vegan or not. They are also good if you’re looking for paleo-friendly recipes.
How to Serve this Raw Vegan Recipe
This is not only a vegan layered dessert but also a snack or even breakfast. Enjoy one as a healthy treat after a workout at the gym. Try one of these layered dessert bars as a late afternoon pick-me-up with a glass of lemonade or your favourite drink.
They are wholesome enough for breakfast, perhaps paired with a glass of vanilla almond milk. Try crumbling into your oatmeal or granola for a berry boost.
How to Store Berry Cherry Layered Creamy Vegan Bars
This raw vegan recipe will keep in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
Vegan Layered Bars FAQs
Actually that’s one of the best things about them. You can use any kinds of fruit along with any kinds of nuts you want to include.
They actually freeze well and their texture stays pretty much intact. Freeze the bars individually on a parchment paper lined baking sheet and then, when frozen, transfer into a freezer-safe bag. You can thaw them in the refrigerator overnight.
Very Berry Cherry Layered Creamy Vegan Bars – No Bake Recipe
Very Berry Cherry Layered Creamy Vegan Bars – No Bake
Ingredients
Base Layer
- 2 Cups walnuts, raw – or cashew/almond/peanut
- ¾ Cup dates, pitted – about 6-8 dates depending on size
- 1 Tablespoon maple syrup, pure – or agave
- 3 Tablespoons coconut oil, softened
- 1/4 Teaspoon sea salt , optional
White Layer
- 1.5 Cups cashews, soaked
- 2 Tablespoons lemon juice, fresh squeezed
- 2 Tablespoons maple syrup, pure – or agave
- 2 Tablespoons coconut oil, softened
- 1 Pinch sea salt , optional
Berry Layer
- 2 Cups blueberries, fresh – or raspberries/blackberries
- 1.5 Cups cashews, soaked
- 2 Tablespoons lemon juice, fresh squeezed
- 2 Tablespoons maple syrup, pure – or algave
- 3 Tablespoons coconut oil, softened
- 1/4 Teaspoon sea salt , optional
Cherry Layer
- 2 Cups cherries, fresh and pitted
- 1.5 Cups cashews, soaked
- 2 Tablespoons lemon juice, fresh squeezed
- 2 Tablespoons maple syrup, pure – or algave
- 3 Tablespoons coconut oil, softened
- 1/4 Teaspoon sea salt , optional
Instructions
- Put 4 cups of cashews (raw) in a bowl and cover with water. Soak the cashews from 4 hours to overnight. You will end up with 4.5 cups of cashews. Divide the cashews up as per the recipe.
Base Layer
- Add all the base layer ingredients to a food processor and process until well combined. Scrape the sides a few times to get completely blended. It is the right consistency when you squeeze the mixture it forms a ball and sticks together.
- Line a pan (8” x 8”) with parchment paper. Add the base layer mixture to the prepared pan and press the mixture firmly into the pan to create an even base layer. Place in fridge while you make the next layer.
Cherry Layer
- Add all of the cherry layer ingredients into a high-powered blender. Blend until completely smooth. You may need to scrape down the sides a few times.
- Pour the cherry layer mixture into the pan on top of the base layer. With a spatula, smooth into an even layer. Place in freezer for approximately 1 hour until hardened.
Berry Layer
- Add all of the berry layer ingredients into a high-powered blender. Blend until completely smooth. You may need to scrape down the sides a few times.
- Pour the berry layer mixture into the pan on top of the cherry layer. With a spatula, smooth into an even layer. Place in freezer for approximately 1 hour until hardened.
White Layer
- Add all of the white layer ingredients into a high-powered blender. Blend until completely smooth. You may need to scrape down the sides a few times.
- Pour the white layer mixture into the pan on top of the berry layer. With a spatula, smooth into an even layer. Place in freezer for approximately 1 hour until hardened.
Slice
- When ready to serve the layered dessert, thaw and slice into squares.
Notes
Nutrition
Let me know if you try to make these layered raw vegan cashew bars. They are packed full of flavour and it is a bonus that they are gluten free and also vegan.
Other Recipes to Try
Bella Bucchiotti
Bella Bucchiotti is a Canadian-based syndicated food, travel, and lifestyle writer, photographer, and creator at xoxoBella. She founded xoxoBella in 2015, where she shares her love for food, dogs, sustainability, fitness, crafts, outdoor adventures, travel, and philanthropy to encourage others to run the extra mile, try new recipes, visit unfamiliar places, and stand for a cause. Bella creates stress-free and family-friendly recipes for weeknight dinners and festive feasts.
Been making this recipe for years and always come back. Perfect every time!
I can’t even count the number of times I have made these. Always delicious!
Love berries & coconut!
These look SO GOOD! I have a ton of berries in the fridge – I’m making them this weekend!
Thanks, Savannah!
Thank you so much Heidi!