Vegan Pecan Pie Recipe: Traditional Texas-Style Recipe

There are few things that say, "happy holidays" as well as a warm, tasty pecan pie. Of course, most pecan pies are loaded with sugar, totally erasing the incredible health benefits you get from eating pecans. Unacceptable!

That’s why we’ve created this healthy alternative that scales back on the sugar typically found in a traditional pecan pie. Plus, it’s a vegan recipe, so even more of your friends and family will be able to enjoy it regardless of special dietary choices. Give it a try and let us know what you think!

Vegan Pecan Pie Recipe

• Prep time: 40 minutes
• Cook time: 60 minutes
• Total time: 1 hour 40 minutes
• Serves: 8

Ingredients

For this recipe, use organic ingredients wherever possible.

Vegan Pie Crust

• 1¼ cup blanched almond flour
• ½ teaspoon Himalayan Crystal Salt
• 3 tablespoons coconut oil, chilled
• 5 tablespoons organic, sustainably harvested palm shortening, chilled
• 3-5 tablespoons ice water

Vegan Pecan Pie Filling

• 1½ cups pecan halves (toasted)
• 10 saltines, crumbled
• ½ cups water
• 1½ tablespoon coconut oil
• 1¼ c organic coconut palm sugar
• ¼ c raw organic honey (or maple syrup, if you prefer)
• 2 teaspoons vanilla
• 3 tablespoons applesauce or pumpkin puree
• 3 tablespoons tapioca starch

Directions

Step 1: Toast the Pecans

Start with this step. You can actually toast your pecans a day or two before you make the actual pie, but this depends on your preference. To complete this step, follow the easy instructions below:

1. Preheat oven to 350 F.
2. Bake for 8 minutes.
3. Remove and cool.

Step 2: Bake Your Crust

One of the most important parts of serving perfect pecan pie for your holiday gathering is baking a great crust. Here's how:

1. Preheat your oven to 425 F.
2. In a bowl, sift together the flour and salt.
3. Using a pastry cutter or two knives, cut in shortening and butter until about pea-sized.
4. Sprinkle with 3 tablespoons of ice water. Stir with a fork until dough comes together in a ball. Add more ice water as needed, but no more than 5 tablespoons. Remember, adding too much water will make the dough sticky and tough!
5. Roll out dough on a lightly floured surface. You can also place it between 2 sheets of wax paper.
6. Transfer to 9-inch pie plate. Trim and shape edges as desired.
7. Prick crust with a fork, line the pie shell with parchment paper and fill with pie weights or dried beans. Bake for 5 minutes.
8. Remove pie plate from oven and set aside to cool.
9. Reduce oven temperature to 325 F.

Is your mouth watering yet? There’s still a little bit more to do...

Step 3: Make the Filling

Now that your kitchen is smelling gloriously similar to that excellent vegan pie crust you’ve just pulled from the oven, let’s move on to making a filling worthy of completing your pie:

1. In a small bowl, stir together crackers and water.
2. Let water absorb, then put the mixture in a food processor with coconut oil, coconut sugar, honey, vanilla, applesauce or pumpkin puree, and starch.
3. Mix until smooth.
4. Pour mixture into a saucepan. Bring to a boil over high heat, stirring constantly.
5. When mixture boils, lower heat slightly and let cook for 2 more minutes. Continue stirring to make sure nothing burns to the bottom of the pan.
6. Fold in your pecans.

Step 4: Bringing it all Together

Now we’re just about ready to bake! All that’s left is to remove the pie weights from the crust and pour in the delicious filling. Once you’ve poured your filling into your crust, place in the oven and bake for 50 minutes. Once that time has passed, allow the pie to cool fully. Then, the best part... Slice and serve!