Chocolate Pie with “Live” Macadamia Nut Crust

by Rebecca
(from Yummy Plants)

This vegan, gluten-free pie is DELICIOUS! It’s been a hit at every party. People didn’t even guess that it was dairy-free!

Note: the crust is “raw” and suitable for people following a raw food lifestyle but the chocolate filling is not raw. One could make a raw version of the filling using cacao powder and avocado, but we don’t have this recipe. If you do, please share!


Chocolate Pie with “Live” Macadamia Nut Crust

Ingredients

Crust

1 ½ cups of raw, unsalted macadamia nuts*
1 ¼ cups of pitted Medjool dates (this variety is the most moist – so use these if you can)
2 tablespoons shredded coconut
¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
Dash of nutmeg

*A mix of 1 cup macadamia and ½ cup almonds also works well. Make sure they are raw and unsalted.

Chocolate filling

1 ½ cups dairy-free dark chocolate chips
½ cup of maple syrup (use 1/4 cup if you don't want it as sweet)
1 package of Mori-nu firm silken tofu (12.3 oz)
1 Tablespoon of vanilla extract
1/8 teaspoon sea salt
Dash of nutmeg
Dash of cinnamon
Preparation

1. Pour the macadamia nuts (or macadamia/ almond mixture) into the Vita-Mix or food processor. Barely process until just ground. It was about 5-8 seconds on setting 3 on my machine, You don’t want it to turn into nut butter, so if you’re not sure about the strength of your processor, just pulse it to have more control.

2. Add the pitted dates, coconut, cinnamon and nutmeg. Process until the dates are chopped into small pieces and the mixture begins to run up the sides of the machine.

3. Remove mixture from the machine and press into a 9” pie plate. Use your hands to press the crust into the pie plate, making the crust about ¼ to ½ inch thick.

4. Refrigerate the crust while you are making the chocolate filling.

Chocolate filling

1. Use a double boiler to melt the chocolate chips. The consistency should be smooth, creamy and lump-free.

2. While the chocolate is melting, place the tofu, maple syrup, vanilla and sea salt in your Vita-Mix or food processor. Process until smooth.

3. Once the chocolate is completely melted and smooth, add to the tofu mixture in your Vita-Mix or food processor. Blend a 5-10 seconds or until smooth.

4. Pour the chocolate filling into the pie crust shell. Scallop the top edges to make it look attractive.

5. Refrigerate for at least one hour so that the chocolate filling will be dense enough to slice.

Note: This is a great recipe for entertaining. You can make the crust the night before you make the filling. Or you can make the entire pie the night before your event. It will keep in the fridge for several days before serving without any sogginess to the crust.