Description
Indulge in the decadence of Vegan Salted Caramel Pretzel Cheesecake, a plant-based dessert that blends creamy cheesecake filling, a crunchy pretzel crust, and a luscious salted caramel drizzle. Perfect for any occasion, this dessert combines salty, sweet, and tangy flavors into a showstopping treat everyone will love.
Ingredients
For the Pretzel Crust:
- 2 cups crushed pretzels
- ½ cup vegan butter, melted
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
For the Cheesecake Filling:
- 4 (8 oz) packages vegan cream cheese
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 3 tablespoons cornstarch (or arrowroot powder)
- ½ cup coconut cream
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
For the Salted Caramel Sauce:
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 6 tablespoons vegan butter
- ½ cup coconut cream
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
Instructions
Prepare the Pretzel Crust:
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9-inch springform pan.
- In a medium bowl, mix crushed pretzels, melted vegan butter, and sugar until well combined.
- Press the mixture firmly into the bottom of the prepared pan to form an even crust.
- Bake the crust for 8-10 minutes, then let it cool completely.
Make the Cheesecake Filling:
- In a large mixing bowl, beat the vegan cream cheese until smooth and creamy.
- Gradually add sugar, cornstarch, vanilla extract, coconut cream, and lemon juice, mixing until fully incorporated.
- Pour the filling over the cooled crust, smoothing the top with a spatula.
- Bake for 50-60 minutes, or until the edges are set but the center is slightly jiggly.
Cool the Cheesecake:
- Turn off the oven and crack the door open slightly. Let the cheesecake cool in the oven for 1 hour.
- Transfer the cheesecake to the refrigerator and chill for at least 4 hours or overnight.
Make the Salted Caramel Sauce:
- In a medium saucepan, heat sugar over medium heat, stirring frequently until it melts into an amber-colored liquid.
- Remove from heat and carefully stir in vegan butter, followed by coconut cream. Be cautious as the mixture will bubble vigorously.
- Stir until smooth, then mix in sea salt. Allow the caramel sauce to cool slightly.
Assemble the Cheesecake:
- Remove the cheesecake from the springform pan and place it on a serving plate.
- Drizzle the salted caramel sauce generously over the top.
- Garnish with crushed pretzels or a sprinkle of sea salt for extra flavor and texture.
Notes
- Cooling is Key: Gradual cooling prevents cracks in the cheesecake.
- Make-Ahead Friendly: The caramel sauce can be prepared ahead and stored in the refrigerator for up to a week.
- Substitutions: Use gluten-free pretzels for a gluten-free version.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Vegan