Vegan Pistachio Cherry Cheesecake Bars

I recently returned home to Kansas City to visit my parents and enjoy a little break from my school work. It seems that the older I get, the more I enjoy these trips back home and away from the routine of daily life. Over the years, Kansas City has likewise evolved and changed into a much cooler and more interesting city than I ever previously gave it credit for.

Whenever I’m in town, I can’t wait to return to all of my favorite restaurants, stores and other healthy havens, which you can read all about in Kansas City’s Healthy & Must-Visit Hot Spots. But summertime makes a KC trip even more enjoyable thanks to the gorgeous weather, pool time with friends and incredible farmer’s markets.

My dad and I stopped by the Overland Park Farmer’s Market on Saturday morning, and I was truly a kid in a candy store. The produce was so top notch that it was difficult to narrow down my purchases. But when we spied these fresh cherries, we both knew that there was no way we were returning home without them.

While cherries are obviously delicious, these tasty fruits are also packed with incredible health benefits. They’re rich in various nutrients which can aid in a restful night’s sleep and muscle recovery, boost the immune system and reduce symptoms of arthritis.

These sweet and tart farmer’s market finds have so much flavor, I was blown away. Though I still purchase store-bought cherries when available, the intensity of those from the market just reiterated how important it is to buy local, in-season produce. They’re just better in every way!

As for these delicious cheesecake bars, you’ll just need to add a few ingredients to a high speed blender or food processor and let the freezer do the rest. The result is a thick, dense and creamy filling without any dairy or refined sugar in sight.

In my other vegan cheesecake recipes, I make my own crust, which requires only a few ingredients and very little time. But for these cherry-inspired bars, I instead decided to use my favorite Purely Elizabeth’s Coconut Cashew Grain-Free Granola.

Just add two bags to a food processor with coconut oil, and your crust is complete. Plus, it adds incredible flavor and crunch to this dreamy dessert. If there is another type of granola that you love, feel free to use that instead.

And for the final touch, pistachios add an extra crunch you’ll love. They have a buttery texture and unique flavor, but they also bring another boost of nutrition as they’re one of the most vitamin B6- and potassium-rich foods, are high in antioxidants and filled with protein. Plus, they’re just so fun to eat in my opinion!

Whether you’re able to stock up on cherries at your local farmers market or pick up a bag at your local grocery, I encourage you to whip up this simple, delicious dessert this summer.

Though the layers and gorgeous toppings will make you look like you slaved all day, these no-bake goodies can be whipped up in no time.

For more no-bake bars that’ll cool you down on these summer days, check out my Mini Matcha Vegan Cheesecakes and Creamy Vegan Lemon Bars  .