Cheezcake Bites

Yesterday I realized my Mori-Nu Silken tofu packages were about to expire *eek* and since it's often the case that one suddenly doesn't get such things at the store, I hoarded a few... 6 packs! *blush* 

So now I broke out in a slight panic (ok not really, but almost. I hate wasting food -and money!),  I had to think of doing something with them quick as we're also about to go to Germany in 2 weeks to visit my parents and we'll be staying for 3 weeks! *yay* 

In that time the expiration date of my tofu will be done..

Since I had a big sweet tooth today, I thought back to my first try of a vegan 'cheezcake' (you can find the recipe here ) and revamped it a bit by using lemon zest this time as well as also the real maple syrup and firm tofu and not partly soft.

I made an entire 'pie' dish but then wanted to do more (i.e. using up more of my tofu) and came up with the idea of making individual cupcake sizes!

It worked out perfectly; the recipe above gave me exactly 12 cupcakes!

The crust I've made myself for both, the pie and the cupcakes; instead of vegan butter I used coconut oil, which I love for baking! =)

Mix the crumbs with the softened oil and sugar in a bowl and then split up for the 12 cupcakes! (For the pie form everything goes directly in the form.)

Voila!

Never mind the Halloween wrapper! *lol*

(That's all I had!)

It tastes sooo good!!! (Of course I had to have 2 and not only one! LOL)

Vegan Cheesecake

Alright guys and girls,  who ever might be reading my blog, thanks for your patience after yesterday's post with my announcement of making a vegan cheesecake!

I'm happy to present you the results...

Hubby's comment was "It has potential" *lol* while the biggest shocker for me was that not only my daughter liking it (she loves food in general most of the time) but my son who is the pickiest of picky eaters!!! He asked for a second piece later in the day!!! =)

Ok, without further ado, here's the recipe:

(thanks go to http://tofu-n-sproutz.blogspot.com/ )

~* Vegan Cheesecake *~

Ingredients:

*Graham cracker ready-made 9" pie crust or make your own

*1 1/2 boxes of packed (Mori-Nu) firm silken tofu

*1/2 c soy milk [I only had almond milk]

*1/2 c sugar (vegan, obviously)

*1 Tbsp vanilla extract

*2 Tbsp lemon juice

*1 tsp lemon zest (I had none but should have!)

*2 Tbsp flour

*1/4 c maple syrup (I only had table syrup *blush*)

Directions:

1) Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C)

2) In a blender combine all ingredients 

Blend until smooth and pour into pie crust

3) Bake for ~30 minutes. Remove from the oven and allow to cool, 

refrigerate until chilled.

! Some notes of advice ! 

I only had 1 pck of firm silken tofu and the other one was soft. It did work so-so ok, but I'm sure with both packs being the firm ones, it'd have been a little less runny!

I'm not sure if the use of soy or any other plant milk makes a difference, but I'm sure using table syrup instead of the 'real deal' does!

I also only used 1 Tbsp of lemon juice and had no zest.. but I think a bit more lemon juice + zest would have improved the flavor!

I added some canned cherries just to 'spice up' the picture a bit..otherwise it's not my 'cup of tea', personally.

Being a cheesecake lover of both, the German as well as of the American version, I'm pretty happy with the outcome of my 1st try! ;-)

Bon Appetit!