Think of these easy recipes as a foundation for creating and building delicious sweet treats and desserts. These original recipes were inspired by Karen F. from a Whole Foods cooking class I attended when I began my plant-based journey.

Each recipe makes approximately 1 cup, so adjust the quantities according to how you will be using it.

Cashew Cream can be used to thicken or layer a parfait, or as a delicious, healthy no-dairy dip for sliced fruit.

Dates are called ‘candy from the earth’ and the date paste is a healthy and versatile sweetener.

The Lemon Cream is so silky smooth with the tofu and the lemon juice perks up the tartness while the dates balance everything with their sweetness. If soy isn’t your thing, this can be made with 1 cup soaked almonds.

Ingredients

Cashew Cream

  • 1 1/4 cup raw cashews
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 2 Tbls maple syrup or date paste
  • Pinch of finely ground sea salt
  • 1/4-1/2 cup water for consistency

Instructions

  1. Soak cashews in a bowl and cover with warm water. Let them soak at least 2 hours to soften.
  2. Drain soaked nuts and throw away the water.
  3. Put cashews and all other ingredients, except clean water, in to blender and blend until smooth and creamy.
  4. Add small amounts of water if necessary to get the consistency you desire.

The cashew cream will keep in an airtight container in the fridge for about 3 days.

Ingredients

Delicious Date Paste

  • 1 cup pitted dates (I really like Medjool)

Instructions

  1. Put dates in a medium size bowl with enough water to cover them completely.
  2. Soak them for 4 hours. Don’t throw away the soaking water.
  3. Add the dates and 1/2 cup of the soaking liquid to a high speed blender or the small bowl of your food processor; blend until smooth.
  4. Use more of the liquid if you want a thinner date paste consistency.

Refrigerate leftovers, but don’t let the paste go to waste!

Ingredients

Lemon Cream and Topping

  • 1 (12 oz.) package silken tofu, drained
  • 1 Tbls lemon zest
  • 3 Tbls fresh squeezed lemon juice (about 1/2 large lemon)
  • 8 pitted dates, roughly chopped
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1/8 tsp ground cardamom (optional)

Instructions

  1. Put all ingredients in a blender and puree. You may need to scrape down the sides of the blender to get a smooth consistency.
  2. That’s all!