Guess what? I had dessert for lunch. Guess what else? There was no sugar or artificial sweeteners involved. And it was delicious. From one sweet tooth to another, make this recipe asap.
I’ve had this idea in my head since before I started my year without sugar and I finally got around to making it happen today. Here’s how you make it:
Sugar-free and naturally sweetened: Banana Chocolate Cheesecake
Ingredients:
Crust:
1/2 C. whole pitted dates
1/2 C. pecan halves (or any other nut)
splash of vanilla
1/2 t. water
! T. cocoa powder
optional: 1 T. unsweetened coconut flakes
Filling:
8 oz. cream cheese softened
1 very ripe banana, mine was black (I would use two next time)
1/4 C cocoa powder
3/4 C full-fat plain yogurt
1/2 C. Dates
1/2. C water
Optional topping: unsweetened coconut
What you will need: food processor, 9 inch pie plate, small saucepan, mixer, spoons
Directions:
Starting with your crust, dump all ingredients (dates, pecans, vanilla, water) into a food processor. Turn machine on for at least two minutes. Your crust is done when you can form a ball with your ingredients.
Press crust into a pie plate with your hands. Your crust will cover the bottom of the plate and a little on the sides. You can make it as thin or thick as you like. Set crust aside.
Use a stand-mixer or hand-mixer for the filling. Beat the cream cheese and banana together on low until smooth. Add the cocoa powder and vanilla and mix again until the ingredients are incorporated and smooth. Set mixture aside.
Put dates in your food processor and pulse until finely chopped. Add chopped dates to a small saucepan with 1/2 C. water. Turn heat to medium high and stir until the water begins to boil. Turn heat down and let simmer for five minutes. Take off heat and let cool to touch. Add dates to food processor, turn machine on for two minutes.
Add date puree to cream cheese mixture and beat until smooth. Pour filling over crust and refrigerate for at least one hour.
Makes 8 servings.
PS: I’ve been using the hamilton beach food processor for four years now and love it!