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Simple Passion Fruit Treat

Featured in: Sweet Treats for Every Occasion

This delightful no-bake plant-based passion fruit treat features a smooth middle layer, bright fruit topping, and a lightly spiced cookie base. Made in a simple loaf tin, it's perfect for smaller parties! With just basic prep work, like softening cashews and letting the dessert firm up in the fridge, it's an easy and tasty option. You can keep this sweet treat in your fridge for up to five days or pop it in the freezer for a month, making it great for any time you need something special. No need to turn on your oven for this tangy, creamy delight!

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Updated on Sat, 29 Mar 2025 21:55:46 GMT
A slice of cake with kiwi fruit on top. Pin it
A slice of cake with kiwi fruit on top. | yummygusto.com

This bright no-bake vegan cheesecake with passion fruit is my go-to trick for wowing guests in summer. You'll fall for the mix of zesty passion fruit topping, smooth cheesecake middle, and crunchy cookie bottom - it tastes like it came from a fancy restaurant but doesn't need any baking expertise.

I whipped up this cheesecake for my sister when she didn't want chocolate for her birthday. Everyone loved the passion fruit so much that now my family asks for it at every summer get-together.

Ingredients

  • Vegan passion fruit curd: gives a zingy tropical kick and gorgeous yellow color to your dessert
  • Biscoff cookies: form a sweet spiced foundation that works wonderfully with the tangy topping
  • Cashews: make everything creamy and rich without using dairy
  • Vegan cream cheese: adds that classic cheesecake feel while staying plant-based
  • Vegan Greek yogurt: brings extra zip and helps nail the perfect consistency

Step-by-Step Instructions

Prepare the curd:
Whip up the passion fruit curd a day or two early to save time. Look for it to thicken just right - pourable but thick enough to set nicely in the fridge.
Soak the cashews:
Don't skip soaking your cashews completely. The quick method works when you're in a hurry, but letting them soak longer makes the filling extra smooth.
Create the crust:
Crush cookies until they look like sand before mixing with butter. Pack firmly into your pan so there aren't any loose bits, which gives you clean slices later.
Blend the filling:
Mix your curd with soaked cashews and other stuff. Run your blender on high until everything's silky smooth, and don't forget to scrape down the sides for the best texture.
Chill thoroughly:
Let it sit in the fridge at least 6 hours. It's worth waiting for slices that won't fall apart when you serve them.
Top with passion fruit layer:
Warm up the rest of your curd just a little so it spreads easily. Let it cool down first so it won't melt the filling underneath.
A piece of dessert topped with fresh fruit. Pin it
A piece of dessert topped with fresh fruit. | yummygusto.com

The passion fruit really makes this dessert special. I found this out after trying lots of different tropical fruits in my vegan cheesecakes. Nothing else gives that amazing tangy flavor that passion fruit does. My husband usually turns down vegan desserts but couldn't believe there wasn't any dairy in this after his first taste.

Make It Your Own

You can swap in other fruit curds if you can't find passion fruit. Lemon, mango or even raspberry would taste amazing too. Just make sure to keep that sweet-tangy balance that makes this dessert so refreshing.

Storage Tips

This cheesecake stays good in the fridge for up to 5 days so you can make it well before busy weekends. To keep it longer, wrap single slices in parchment paper and stick them in an airtight container in the freezer. Just let them thaw overnight in the fridge when you want one.

Serving Suggestions

This cheesecake looks great by itself but you can add fresh berries or some coconut whipped cream to make it even prettier. Serve it cool but not super cold so you can taste all the flavors better.

A dessert slice garnished with kiwi on top. Pin it
A dessert slice garnished with kiwi on top. | yummygusto.com

Frequently Asked Questions

→ How do I make the passion fruit mix for this dessert?

You can whip up the passion fruit mix two days ahead and keep it cold. You'll need to split it - 200g goes into the middle layer and the rest sits on top. For extra crunch in the topping, mix in a spoonful of saved passion fruit seeds.

→ What other cookies work for the base?

Any plant-based cookies like digestives, spicy ginger snaps, or graham crackers work well. If you want a more natural option, try mixing shredded coconut, cashews, a pinch of salt, and dates!

→ Is there a faster way to soften the cashews?

Sure thing! Just drop the cashews in hot water for 30 minutes. Give them a good rinse before adding them to your filling mix.

→ How long should I chill this dessert?

Let your cake chill in the fridge for at least 6 hours or leave it overnight. In a hurry? Pop it in the freezer for 3-4 hours, then cut and thaw before serving.

→ What's the best way to keep this dessert fresh?

Keep it in a sealed container in your fridge for up to five days. Want to save it longer? Put it in a freezer container for up to a month. Just move slices to the fridge overnight before you want to eat them.

→ Can I try different flavors in the filling?

For sure! While this version stars passion fruit, try adding a splash of lemon or other fruit purees to match the creamy filling.

Tangy Passion Fruit Cake

Rich no-bake cake with tropical passion fruit and crunchy cookie base for a cool summer delight.

Prep Time
40 Minutes
Cook Time
~
Total Time
40 Minutes
By: Sandra


Difficulty: Intermediate

Cuisine: Vegan

Yield: 8 Servings (1 loaf pan no-bake dessert)

Dietary: Vegan, Vegetarian, Dairy-Free

Ingredients

→ Passion Fruit Curd

01 1 whole batch (500 g) homemade plant-based passion fruit curd

→ Crust

02 140 g plant-based cookies (like Biscoff, digestives, or plant-based graham crackers)
03 45 g plant-based block butter, unsalted
04 ½ teaspoon sea salt

→ Filling

05 150 g pre-soaked cashews
06 300 g plant-based cream cheese alternative
07 80 g plant-based thick Greek-style yogurt
08 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions

Step 01

Whip up your passion fruit curd a day or two before and keep it cold. Set aside 200 g for your filling mix. Stir a spoonful of the saved passion fruit seeds into what's left to create your tasty topping.

Step 02

Cover cashews with water and let them sit for 4 hours, then rinse them well. In a hurry? Just pour boiling water over them and wait half an hour.

Step 03

Put parchment paper in the bottom and along the sides of a 9-inch loaf pan.

Step 04

Throw your cookies, butter, and salt into a food processor and pulse until everything sticks when pressed. Push this mix firmly into your pan and smooth it flat. Pop it in the fridge while you work on the next part.

Step 05

Combine 200 g of your passion fruit curd with the soaked cashews, plant-based cream cheese, yogurt, and vanilla in a powerful blender. Mix until it's totally smooth with no lumps. Pour this over your chilled crust and let it set in the fridge for at least 6 hours or leave it overnight.

Step 06

Warm the leftover passion fruit curd in a pot until it's easy to pour. Spread it evenly on top of your set filling. Chill for an hour more or stick it in the freezer for a quick 30 minutes before cutting.

Step 07

Dip a sharp knife in hot water before slicing your treat. You can keep pieces in a sealed container for 5 days in your fridge or up to a month if frozen.

Notes

  1. Make your passion fruit curd a couple days early to save time when putting everything together.
  2. Swap in gluten-free cookies for the base if you need to avoid gluten.
  3. In a rush? Pop the whole thing in the freezer for 3-4 hours instead of waiting overnight.

Tools You'll Need

  • 9-inch loaf pan
  • Food processor
  • High-speed blender
  • Flat spatula or regular spoon
  • Good knife

Allergy Information

Please check ingredients for potential allergens and consult a health professional if in doubt.
  • Watch out - this has cashews in it.

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

It is important to consider this information as approximate and not to use it as definitive health advice.
  • Calories: ~
  • Total Fat: ~
  • Total Carbohydrate: ~
  • Protein: ~