Follow along for the ultimate vegan cheesecake recipe.
Preheat oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit.
To begin, spray your springform pan lightly with a cooking oil. Line the bottom with parchment paper, and then cut out parchment to separately line the sides of the pan. This will make it much easier to pull out the cake when it’s done.
In a food processor on high speed, combine the graham crackers, sugar, and sea salt. Then, in a slow stream, add the butter, which should make the mixture firmly moist, but not runny. Mold the graham cracker crust mixture to your springform pan. To make the cheesecake authentic L’Avenue style, pack the crust all the way up the sides of the pan, so you use virtually the entire mixture. Bake in the oven for 10-12 minutes and cool for 5-7 minutes before adding the cheesecake filling. Reduce oven heat to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
While your crust is baking, use a hand mixer to gently combine the room temperature ingredients, starting with the cream cheese, to which you add the sugar, coconut cream (leaving the watery part in the can), vanilla, Meyer lemon juice, and cornstarch.
Prep the berry mixture by placing 2 cups of the berries in a small saucepan with about ¼ cup water and optional sugar. Bring to a simmer so the berries burst. Once simmering, add in the cornstarch and stir for about 3 minutes. Then, remove from heat.
Tightly wrap the exterior of the springform in foil and place in a roasting pan. Pour the cheesecake batter into the springform pan. Add 2-3 cups of water to fill the pan (not the cake itself), submerging the cake in about 2 inches of water. Don’t skip the water bath — it’s the details that make this a creamy cheesecake, especially if using vegan cheese. Bake at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for about an hour, then turn off the heat and allow the bathing cheesecake to sit in the oven for another hour.
The cheesecake is cooked around the edge and jiggly in the center when done. Pull from the oven and rest it on the countertop until the pan is no longer hot. Place in the refrigerator for at least 6 hours, preferably overnight.
About an hour before serving or guests arrive, remove the cheesecake from the springform pan carefully, first releasing the latch on the pan, then peeling away the side pieces of parchment paper. Move the cake to your presentation plate, gently removing the bottom parchment paper in the process. Spread the chilled berry sauce on top of the cheesecake, and garnish beautifully with the fresh mixed berries of your choice. The cake will keep on the countertop until you are ready to serve for dessert. Refrigerate any leftovers.
