• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Nutritionicity

Eat. Well. Soon.

  • Cookbook
  • Recipes
    • Baked Goods
    • Breads and Crackers
    • Breakfast
    • Desserts
    • Juices and Smoothies
    • Main Dishes
    • No Bake
    • Plant-based Cheeses
    • Salads
    • Salsas and Dips
    • Side Dishes
    • Snacks
    • Soups
    • * Roundups *
  • Winery Visits
    • *All Virginia Wineries*
    • Fairfax County Wineries
    • Fauquier County Wineries
    • Loudoun County Wineries
    • Madison County Wineries
    • Orange County Wineries
    • Prince William County Wineries
    • Rappahannock County Wineries
  • Reviews
    • Product Face-offs
      • Breads and Crackers
      • Desserts
    • Food Products
  • Making Nutrition Simple
    • Quinoa
    • Helpful Hints
  • About Jana
    • Terms of Service
    • Privacy Policy
  • Contact

December 8, 2016 By Jana 10 Comments

Pomegranate Vegan Cream Cheese (Gluten-free, Plant-based, Soy-free, RSF)

  • Share
  • Tweet
Pomegranate Vegan Cream Cheese

Pomegranate Vegan Cream Cheese bursts with naturally sweetened tart goodness, just like the dairy-based original!

Pomegranate Vegan Cream Cheese

Pomegranate Vegan Cream Cheese

Cream Cheese Love

With this recipe I am definitely another step closer to feeling like I haven’t given up any of my old faves in order to eat a plant-based diet. Cream cheese had many positive associations for me in my pre-plant-based diet days. I would meet a good friend at the local bagel shop where we’d order toasted bagels slathered with the creamy flavor of the day. There was just something about that golden toasted crunch and cream cheese gettin’ in your belly while you solved the world’s problems one bite at a time.

Pomegranate Vegan Cream Cheese

Pomegranate Vegan Cream Cheese

Every Christmas we are fortunate to have family travel distances near and far to celebrate and enjoy the festivities together. With people coming and going throughout the week, breakfast is usually a small informal buffet made up of items that won’t spoil if you are late to the party!

One of our traditional items has been an array of bagels and flavored cream cheeses. Since giving up dairy I have been unable to partake in this warm tradition. I have periodically tried the vegan cream cheese products available in the grocery store but none of them made me feel like I was eating anything close to the real deal.

But not any more! Spread this creamy goodness on a gluten-free bagel or piece of toast and I’m back in the game!

 

Pomegranate Vegan Cream Cheese - Sliced Pomegranate

Pomegranate Vegan Cream Cheese – Sliced Pomegranate

Why Pomegranate is Healthy

The fruit flavored cream cheeses are an all-time favorite. Everybody loves them, big kids and little. Pomegranate arils are filled with a juice that adds a wonderful flavor and color and a little seed that adds a nice crunch to the Vegan Cream Cheese. Perfect for any holiday breakfast table!

And let’s not forget to mention that pomegranates are so good for you. They are high in vitamins A, C and fiber (more than twice the amount in 1/2 cup apple). The U.S. Department of Agriculture ranks the antioxidant levels for pomegranates in the top five for the fruit, vegetable and seed category!

Pomegranate Vegan Cream Cheese - Arils

Pomegranate Vegan Cream Cheese – Arils

Other Pomegranate Stuff

If you have made my Golden Pomegranate Scones then you are probably an expert in removing the arils. Otherwise, I invite you to find out how to remove pomegranate seeds the quick and easy way.

Hint: you do not have to pick them out one by one. I also cover what to look for when selecting a pomegranate.

Pomegranate Vegan Cream Cheese - In Bowl

Pomegranate Vegan Cream Cheese – In Bowl

Hints for Making Vegan Cream Cheese

I started out blending this recipe in my high-speed blender. But ultimately I transferred it to my food processor and completed the recipe there. It’s just a little too thick for the blender.

You will be able to achieve a nice smooth, creamy texture–just make sure you have soaked your cashews long enough. They should appear swollen or bloated and will not be snappy when you break one in half.

The pomegranate seeds, on the other hand, will remain in tact and provide a nice soft crunch not to mention a healthy dose of fiber.

Pomegranate Vegan Cream Cheese

Pomegranate Vegan Cream Cheese can be eaten immediately after preparing, but I do want to mention that the flavors blend nicely after sitting in an airtight glass container in the refrigerator overnight. It’s a win/win!

Pomegranate Vegan Cream Cheese

Pomegranate Vegan Cream Cheese

Print
Pomegranate Vegan Cream Cheese (Gluten-free, Plant-based, Soy-free, RSF)

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Category: Breakfast, Desserts, No Bake, Plant-based Cheeses, Recipes, Salsas and Dips, Snacks

Author: Nutritionicity

Servings: Two and one half cups

Pomegranate Vegan Cream Cheese

Pomegranate Vegan Cream Cheese bursts with naturally sweetened tart goodness, just like it's dairy-based original!

Ingredients

  • 2 cups raw cashews (soaked)
  • 1 cup pomegranate arils (about one half of a pomegranate)
  • 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
  • 2 teaspoons apple cider vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon coconut nectar
  • 1/4 teaspoon pure vanilla

Instructions

  • 1) Place cashews in a bowl and cover with two cups hot filtered water. Let stand until water is cool (about one hour). Drain water and cover nuts again with two cups hot water. Let soak another hour, then drain and rinse. Cashews should appear slightly swollen or bloated and will not be snappy when broken in half. Well soaked cashews are the key to a smooth cream cheese. Alternatively, nuts can be soaked 8 to 12 hours overnight in the refrigerator in two cups of cold filtered water.
  • 2) Remove pomegranate arils while waiting for cashews to soak.
  • 3) Place all ingredients in food processor (preferred) or high speed blender. Blend until smooth while periodically scraping down the sides.
  • Pomegranate Vegan Cream Chesse can be served immediately, but flavors blend to perfection after refrigerating overnight. Store in glass airtight container in the refrigerator for several days.

Notes

It is important to soak cashews thoroughly to achieve a creamy texture. Arils will provide a soft crunch.

Prep Time Does not include time for soaking cashews.

6.3.1
https://nutritionicity.com/recipes/pomegranate-vegan-cream-cheese/
Copyright 2019 Nutritionicity

Pomegranate Vegan Cream Cheese - Collage

  • Share
  • Tweet

Filed Under: Breakfast, Desserts, No Bake, Plant-based Cheeses, Recipes, Salsas and Dips, Snacks Tagged With: antioxidants, breakfast, cashews, coconut nectar, dairy free, Gluten Free, healthy fats, high fiber, lactose free, nutrient dense, plant based, plant protein, refinedsugarfree, side dish, snacks, soy free, vegan, vegetarian, vitamin C

Subscribe to Nutritionicity!

Previous Post: « Aspen Dale Winery at the Barn – Taste & Tour
Next Post: Snickerdoodle Vegan Cheesecake (Gluten-free, Plant-based, Soy-free, RSF) »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Sharon says

    April 23, 2017 at 7:48 pm

    This looks good! Can blueberries or raspberries be substituted for the pomegranate? Thanks!

    Reply
    • Jana says

      April 23, 2017 at 10:18 pm

      Hi Sharon, Thanks, I would say they both would taste delicious! Fresh would probably be best as frozen may add extra fluid and turn out a little runny. I hope this helps! ๐Ÿ™‚

      Reply
  2. Olivia says

    February 28, 2017 at 7:03 am

    Hi Jana! Love your site! I’m just wondering if the cashews can be substituted for macadamias in this recipe or other recipes on your site? Unfortunately I have an allergy to cashews ๐Ÿ™

    Reply
    • Jana says

      April 23, 2017 at 10:25 pm

      HI Olivia, I have not tried it but I think that macadamias would be a great substitute for cashews in this recipe. Substitutions are really on a recipe to recipe basis but if you have any others you are wondering about please feel free to ask! ๐Ÿ™‚

      Reply
  3. Supriya Kutty says

    January 11, 2017 at 4:32 am

    This was delicious!! Iโ€™m definitely going to add this to my recipe rotation.

    Reply
    • Jana says

      January 12, 2017 at 10:14 am

      I’m so glad you liked it!! ๐Ÿ™‚

      Reply
  4. Katherine says

    December 18, 2016 at 1:36 am

    Great idea! I’m working on eating less dairy at the moment and this is such a helpful hint

    Reply
    • Jana says

      December 18, 2016 at 9:54 am

      Thanks so much Katherine! I’m glad you like it, it’s really yummy. I’m finding that creating alternatives for cheese based items (that are equally as delicious as the traditional ones) is key in maintaining a dairy-free diet. Enjoy! ๐Ÿ™‚

      Reply
  5. Sarah | Well and Full says

    December 9, 2016 at 6:52 pm

    I love the idea of making pomegranate cream cheese! So unique! ๐Ÿ™‚

    Reply
    • Jana says

      December 9, 2016 at 7:40 pm

      Thanks so much Sarah and thanks for stopping by!! ๐Ÿ™‚

      Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Primary Sidebar

Welcome to Nutritionicity!

Jana

Hi, I'm Jana! Recipe developer, food photographer/stylist, wine enthusiast and healthy foodie. I create recipes that are 100% plant-based/vegan, gluten-free and refined sugar-free, bursting with nutrients and, of course, delicious! Check out my About page to see where my recipes have been featured! Cookbook hitting shelves October 2020!

Get in touch!

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
Eat Well Be Well Cookbook Promotion

Search Nutritionicity

Featured on:

Nutritionicity Features

To find out more about where my recipes and articles have been featured, check out my About page!

Subscribe to Nutritionicity!

Most Recent Posts

Bakery Style Scones

Bakery Style Scones (Plant-based, Gluten-free, Refined Sugar-free)

Cashew Flour Chocolate Chip Cookies

Cashew Flour Chocolate Chip Cookies (Plant-based, Gluten-free, Oil-free)

Portobello Steak with Tomato Caper Sauce

Portobello Steak with Tomato Caper Sauce

12 Immune-boosting Plant-based Foods and Recipes

Immune-boosting Plant-based Foods and Recipes

Cinnamon Pear Cookies Plated

Cinnamon Pear Cookies (Plant-based, Gluten-free, Oil-free)

Baked Cheesy Cauliflower Gnocchi

Baked ‘Cheesy’ Cauliflower Gnocchi (Plant-based, Gluten-free)

Footer

Follow me on Instagram!

Follow Nutritionicity on Instagram!

Get in touch!

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
Deliciousness and nutritiousness can coexist! Check out my About page for more information and to see where my recipes have been featured!

Copyright © 2025 ยท Nutritionicity - All Rights Reserved. | Terms of Service | Privacy Policy