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No Bake Black Forest Cheesecake Recipe

4.8 from 144 reviews

This No Bake Black Forest Cheesecake offers a vegan twist on the classic German dessert, featuring a smooth creamy filling made with silken tofu and vegan cream cheese, enhanced by a luscious cherry compote and rich dark chocolate layers. The cookie-based crust adds a delightful crunch, while the cherry and chocolate toppings bring elegance and intense flavor without any baking required.

Ingredients

Scale

Crust

  • 14 (140g) original Oreos or Oreo-style cookies
  • 3 tablespoons vegan butter
  • ¼ teaspoon sea salt

Filling

  • 250 g frozen sour cherries (or frozen sweet cherries)
  • 350 g silken tofu
  • 200 g vegan cream cheese
  • 90 ml Kirsch (or cherry brandy/brandy/Amaretto or cherry juice for alcohol free)
  • 2 tablespoons pure maple syrup
  • 1 teaspoon lemon juice
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 300 g dark chocolate
  • 2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder (optional)

Cherry Topping

  • 400 g frozen sour cherries (or frozen sweet cherries)
  • 4 tablespoons water
  • 4 tablespoons pure maple syrup
  • 4 tablespoons Kirsch (or cherry brandy/brandy/Amaretto or cherry juice for alcohol free)
  • 1 ½ tablespoons cornstarch

Chocolate Topping and Garnish

  • 200 g vegan chocolate (for curls)
  • 240 g vegan whipped cream

Instructions

  1. Prepare the crust: Blend the Oreos and sea salt in a food processor until finely ground. Add vegan butter and blend until the mixture holds together. Press this into a lined 7″ or 8″ cake tin, smoothing with a spatula or glass to make it compact. Place in the fridge to chill.
  2. Cook cherries for the filling: Place the frozen cherries and Kirsch in a saucepan and bring to a gentle simmer over medium heat. Cook for about 15 minutes, stirring frequently. Transfer the cooked cherries to a high-speed blender or food processor along with silken tofu, vegan cream cheese, maple syrup, lemon juice, and vanilla extract. Blend until smooth and creamy.
  3. Melt and incorporate chocolate: Melt the dark chocolate using a bain-marie (double boiler). Add the melted chocolate to the filling mixture and blend again until smooth and fully combined. For a richer chocolate taste, blend in the cocoa powder.
  4. Chill the cheesecake: Pour the filling into the prepared crust, smoothing the surface with a spatula. Refrigerate for 3–4 hours or overnight to set completely.
  5. Make the cherry topping: Simmer frozen cherries and water for 10 minutes, then strain the cherries out and set aside. Return the liquid to the saucepan. Whisk together maple syrup, Kirsch, and cornstarch until smooth, then add this mixture to the saucepan and simmer for 5 minutes until thickened. Let cool slightly, stir the cherries back in, and leave at room temperature until serving.
  6. Create chocolate curls: Pour melted vegan chocolate into a parchment-lined container and freeze until firm. Using gloves to prevent melting, carefully shave curls from the chocolate block with a potato peeler. Refreeze briefly if chocolate softens during the process.
  7. Assemble the cheesecake: Once set, remove the cheesecake from the tin. Spoon the cherry topping evenly over the cake, then dollop or pipe the vegan whipped cream on top. Garnish with the chocolate curls for a stunning finish.

Notes

  • Silken tofu provides creaminess and a smooth texture in place of dairy.
  • Vegan cream cheese ensures the recipe is fully plant-based but still rich and tangy.
  • Kirsch or cherry brandy brings authentic Black Forest flavor; substitute with cherry juice for a non-alcoholic version.
  • Using a bain-marie to melt chocolate prevents burning and maintains smooth texture.
  • The cake must chill adequately to set properly as it is a no-bake cheesecake.
  • Chocolate curls should be handled with gloves to prevent melting from hand warmth.
  • Frozen cherries may be substituted with fresh if available, adjusting cooking times slightly.

Keywords: No bake cheesecake, Black Forest cheesecake, vegan dessert, cherry cheesecake, vegan chocolate dessert, dairy-free cheesecake, silken tofu dessert, plant-based cheesecake