Vegan S'mores Cheesecake Bars

When I got a package in the mail from Bitsy's full of their crackers and cookies I was so excited (not a sponsored post I just loved their products). I was even more excited when I saw that they had sent me some of their sweet potato graham crackers because I love graham crackers and have been searching for a healthier alternative to them for years. My excitement and late night sweet tooth got my creative juices flowing and I came up with the idea of making a s'mores flavored recipe. I've been wanting to make cashew based, vegan cheesecake for awhile now so the two ideas came together beautifully to form these bars.

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The crust is crumbly and dense at the same time. The filling is just the right amount of sweet while being smooth, rich, and creamy. The top is super chocolatey, which you can never go wrong with. These legit taste like the s'mores I ate as a kid but this time they're healthy. Don't worry - they'll still get chocolate all over your hands and face though. They're also no bake making them super easy to make and the perfect cold sweet treat for a hot summer day or night.

Ingredients

Graham Cracker Crust

• 2 cups graham crackers (I used Bitsy's)

• 1/4 cup oil or butter (I used avocado oil)

Marshmallow Cashew Filling

• 1.5 cups cashews

• 2-3 large dates

• 1/4-1/3 cup maple syrup

• 1 tsp vanilla extract

Chocolate Topping

• 1 bar dark chocolate (I used Lily's)

• 1-2 tsp oil

• Dark chocolate chips to garnish (used Lily's again)

Recipe

1. At least 2-3 hours beforehand soak your cashews and dates in water

2. Line a baking dish with parchment paperIn a food processor or blender add your graham crackers and pulse them until they look like flour

3. Add avocado oil to food processor and blend again until things start sticking together

4. Cover the bottom of your parchment paper lined baking dish with the graham cracker avocado oil mixture to form a crust and then place in the freezer

5. Drain and pat dry your soaked cashews and dates

6. Add cashews and dates to a food processor or blender and blend until they form a smooth, dough-like ball

7. Add maple syrup to food processor and blend again until it thins and smooths out more

8. Finally add vanilla extract into food processor and blend until it's a smooth, cheesecake like filling

9. Remove your crust from the freezer and evenly disperse your cashew filling over it

10. Place back in the freezer to let set

11. In a microwave safe bowl place 1 chopped bar of dark chocolate and 1 tsp oil Microwave for 1 minute total in increments of 15 seconds, removing and stirring each time

12. Once chocolate is melted remove your baking dish with the crust and filling

13. Evenly disperse your melted chocolate over the top of the filling and then add chocolate chips to garnish

14. Place your baking dish back in the freezer until everything is set (I had to wait 2+ hours) and then cut into squares (it's okay if they get messy - I know mine did. Frozen chocolate is hard to cut!)

15. Place them back in the freezer and keep them there until you're ready to eat

Mine turned out a little messy but they still taste amazing (cutting frozen dark chocolate is hard). Don't forget to tag me or send me a picture on Instagram if you make them! And don't hold me responsible if you eat the entire tray in one sitting (yes - they're that good).

Hope everyone enjoys making and eating them or at least just looking at them and drooling.