We know what you're thinking – 'No eggs. No milk. No sugar. No baking. WTF kind of cake is that?' Sure, the idea of raw desserts may challenge your definition of sweets, but whether you're a health food fanatic, a dessert lover or just plain curious, these raw treats will tickle your fancy.
1. Pure & Whole Cheesecake, 42RMB
Pure & Whole lives up to its name with this nutritious number. The vegetarian eatery's signature raw vegan cheesecake combines a thick top layer of dairy-free dark chocolate mousse with a creamy base of cashew, tahini and coconut oil and a burst of fruity flavour from a sweet blueberry filling. And the secret to the smoothness of the cake? Avocado – so you're even getting a little boost of healthy fat. Chocolate lovers should also try Pure & Whole's ecstasy balls – they're little bites of bliss.
Pure & Whole, Room 104, Shanghai Centre, 1376 Nanjing Xi Lu, near Xikang Lu.
2. Alan Wong's Raw Banana 'Cream' Pie, 68RMB
A special menu item conceived by the Hawaiian fine dining restaurant's creative head chef Beth Cosgrove, this fabulous chilled pie has a luscious 'cream' filling made up of thick coconut cream and a blend of raw macadamia and cashew nut 'cream' piled onto a crust of dates and nuts. It's vegan and refined sugar- and gluten-free to boot – its sweetness coming only from ripe bananas and a touch of pure maple syrup.
Alan Wong's Shanghai, Second Floor, Shanghai Centre, 1376 Nanjing Xi Lu, near Xikang Lu.
3. Green Vege Cafe's Raw Cashew Nut Lemon Cheesecake, 35RMB
Light and refreshing, this raw cashew nut lemon cheesecake uses soy milk and citrus for its tangy flavour. Pair it with a pot of earl grey during an afternoon tea session (2-5pm, 42RMB with your choice of tea or juice) and you’ve got yourself a delightful snack to brighten up your day.
Green Vege Cafe Room 3-301, Touch Mall, 679, Zhongshan Nan Er Lu, near Chuanchang Lu.
4. 茹 If Vegan Dark chocolate and nut mousse cake, 36RMB
茹 If Vegan prides itself on sourcing the finest quality dark chocolate for this decadent mousse cake with walnut crust. One bite and you'll see that this dessert is pretty damn fine – it's super rich, super moist and overall quite sinful (without the guilt). Plus, there are no added preservatives or additives.
茹 If Vegan 408 Shanxi Bei Lu, near Beijing Xi Lu.
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