No Bake Avocado Lime Cheesecake

My workplace is filled with amazing people, many of whom have a keen interest in food and great cooking talent. Last year, we created a company dessert "bake-off" competition (I'm happy to say I won). It was such a success that we decided to do it again this year. Each week we have a different theme - avocado, chocolate, marshmallow, quinoa, banana etc. Up to five people create their best recipe using the featured ingredient and it's judged by three colleagues. After all of the weekly competitions are completed, the weekly winners then make their best dessert for a no restrictions final bake-off. They can bake anything their hearts desire and it's judged by every person in the office. The baker with the most votes takes the title of master baker! 

I'm in the avocado category this year and I'm competing against some incredibly talented bakers. I was going to go with chocolate and avocado but instead I'm going for something lighter tasting and citrusy. The only problem with avocado is that it is hard to create something that showcases the flavour of avocado because ...well...it doesn't have a strong, distinct flavour. It does however have a great creamy texture that goes well with cream cheese. The lime definitely is the star flavour here and if I didn't tell you there was avocado in it you might not figure it out. But when I tell you it's in there, you  say "oh yeah" because you can taste it if you know to look for it. The toasted coconut goes so well with the lime and adds another layer of texture to the dessert. 

This will make a great summer dessert since it requires NO baking! And it kinda reminds me of a lime margarita (one of my favorite summer drinks)... bring on summer!!

Update: Wow, what an amazing group of competitors and desserts! I'm glad I wasn't a judge because picking a winner would have been difficult. I didn't win this round :( but the winner was a truly deserving avocado pie! The other entries included an avocado Pop-Tart and an avocado crème brûlée - both of which were fabulous!

Ingredients

You need a 9x9 baking dish.

Crust

1-1/4 c graham crackers

1/4 c coconut

1/2 c unsalted butter, melted

Instructions

1. Combine all three ingredients in a mixing bowl. 
2. Press into pan (as compactly as possible).

Cheesecake

2 large avocados, peeled and pitted (about 1.5 - 2 cups )

1/2 c granulated sugar (can add up to 2 tbsp more if not sweet enough for your taste)

1 c whipping cream

1-1/2 tbsp gelatin powder

1/2 c water, divided

1 c vanilla or plain yogurt

1 lb cream cheese

3 tbsp fresh lime juice

zest of 1 lime

toasted coconut for garnish

Instructions

1. In a stand mixer, cream cheese and sugar until smooth.
2. Mix gelatin with 1/4 c of water. Add 1/4 c boiling water and stir until gelatin is dissolved. Set aside.
3. In food processor, puree avocados and lime juice until smooth.
4. Add avocado mixture to the cream cheese and beat until smooth.
5. Turn mixer on medium low and slowly add the gelatin.
6. Add the yogurt and lime zest and mix to combine.
7. In another mixing bowl, whip the whipping cream with hand beaters until soft peaks form.
8. Using a spatula, fold in the whipping cream into the cream cheese mixture and combine well.
9. Pour on top of crust.
10. Smooth the top with a spatula.
11. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 12 hours until set.
12. When ready to serve, cut into 16 squares.
13. Plate and top with a teaspoon or so of toasted coconut.