Gluten Free, Vegan and oh so Healthy for YOU...
Better Yet Tastes Great too!
This is a recipe I made up from about 4 different ones I found on the internet. I add my own twist to make it Gluten Free and because I love chocolate and I thought adding coco nibs or chocolate chips would make that nice rich touch to this classic holiday dessert.
Crust
1 1/2 cups Oats
1/4 cup walnuts
1/4 cup cashews
3 Tablespoons Date Syrup or Organic Maple Syrup
1/2 teaspoon Cinnamon
1/4 cup Apple or Pear Sauce.(unsweetened)
**Note on Date Syrup: I made my own. I placed 6 big dates in a sauce pan and added 1 1/2 cup water and brought to a boil. Let it boil about 5 minutes.Then take it off the burner and let it cool down. Place the soften dates and water into blender and blend. This syrup can be used to sweeten baked goods. Whatever is left place in the fridge.
** NOTES on THE NUTS: The nuts in this crust can be toasted. You can use any type of nut you like, pecan, walnut, cashew or a mix. Experiment and find the combo you like best. If toasting do it lightly and don't add salt.
Now on to making this crust. Place the oats, cinnamon and nuts into a food processor and pulse until course. Place this mixture into a large bowl and add the syrup and sauce of your choice. Sir until all is mixed well. Press into a pie plate.... along the bottom and work the crust slightly up the sides.
BAKE in an oven at 375 degrees for 10 minutes. Take out of oven and cool completely.
Filling
1 1/2 Cup Canned Pumpkin
1/2 Cup Maple or Date Syrup
1 Cup Almond Milk
1/4 Cup Arrow Starch ( can use corn starch if you don't have this)
1 Tablespoon Fresh Ginger (can use dried if you prefer)
1/2 teaspoon fresh Nutmeg
1 1/2 teaspoon Cinnamon
3/4 teaspoon ground cloves
**1/4 cup coco nibs or chocolate chips***
Combine the milk, and arrow root starch... add the rest of the ingredients (except for the chocolate chips or coco nubs) and mix well. This makes a custard like pie so it will look kinda like a pudding. Fold in 1/4 cup of coco nibs or chocolate chips. Pour this mixture into the pie crust.
Bake in Oven at 375 degrees for 35 minutes. You will know it is baked when the outer edges are set.
Let cool and cut. OMG this is So good. You can also make this pie up without the chocolate if you want or mix up the spices. I plan to make this up with Shweet Potato, Cranberries and lime for Christmas.
