Step zero

Before making this cheesecake, you'll want to soak the cashew nuts in a bowl of warm water overnight. This will make the cashews softer and easier to blend. 

Step one

Pre-heat the over to 180ºC and line an 8" round cake tin with grease-proof paper. Set aside. 

Step two

Add the dairy-free butter into a small saucepan, place on the hob and heat over low until fully melted. Remove from the heat and add into a medium sized, heat-proof mixing bowl.

Step three

Add the cookies into a blender and blend until fine. Pour the cookie crumbs into the melted butter and stir together using a wooden spoon or spatula. It should resemble wet sand, and when you press it between your fingers, should hold its shape. 

Step four

Press the mixture into the lined tin, making sure to compact it using clean hands. The more compact it is, the less likely it will crumble. Place into the fridge whilst you make the filling.

Step five

Wash and drain the cashew nuts and place them into a high speed blender along with the cream cheese, tofu, sugar, 2tbsps of cocoa powder and vanilla. Blend on high until smooth. 

Step six

Place 250g of the chocolate into a heat proof bowl and melt the chocolate.

Step seven

Pour the chocolate into the blender and blitz until the combined and silky smooth. This will take around 5 minutes on high speed.

Step eight 

Pour the filling over the base. Tap the tin on the worktop to remove any air bubbles and to level out.

Step nine

Bake in the centre of the pre-heated oven for 45-50 minutes, or until the edges of the cheesecake turn slightly golden in colour. To check the cheesecake is ready, using oven mitts, gently jiggle the cheesecake. If the cheesecake looks nearly set and only the middle of the cheesecake jiggles slightly, it’s done. If it jiggles too much or looks wet, it needs more time to bake!

Step ten

Once baked, remove from the oven and place the cheesecake (still in the tin) on a wire rack to cool fully.

Step eleven

When the cheesecake is cool, place into the fridge and allow to sit in the fridge overnight to fully set. Keep the cheesecake in the tin to help remain shape.

Step twelve

Remove the cheesecake from the fridge, lift out of the tin and place on a serving plate.

Step thirteen 

Place 100g of the chocolate into a heat-proof bowl and melt the chocolate. Pour in the dairy-free cream and whip until smooth.

Step fourteen 

Drizzle the ganache over the top of the cheesecake, use a spoon or off set spatula to spread it out and allow it to drip down the sides of the cheesecake.

Step fifteen

Place the cheesecake in the fridge and allow the ganache to set. This will take 10-15 minutes.

Step sixteen 

Place the whipping cream into a bowl and whip until thick. Add in the remaining 4tbsps of cocoa powder and whip to combine.

Step seventeen

Transfer the cream into a piping bag fitted with an open star tip nozzle and pipe swirls on-top of the cheesecake. 

Step eighteen

Decorate the cheesecake with chunks of Hu Chocolate.

Step nineteen 

Slice with a sharp knife and serve.