Thanksgiving
Prep Time: 30 minutes Cook Time: 50 minutes Servings: 12 (mini pies) Source: minimalistbaker.com
INGREDIENTS
FILLING
2 3/4 cups pumpkin puree (1 1/2 15-ounce cans yield ~2 3/4 cups puree)
1/4 cup Grade A maple syrup
1/4 cup dark or light muscovado sugar (or sub organic brown sugar or coconut sugar)
1/3 cup unsweetened plain almond milk
1 Tbsp olive oil or melted coconut oil
2 1/2 Tbsp cornstarch or arrowroot starch
1 3/4 tsp pumpkin pie spice*
1/4 tsp sea salt
CRUST
2 cups unbleached all-purpose flour
1/2 tsp sea salt
2/3 cup vegan margarine (like Earth Balance) – cut into small cubes and refrigerated or frozen until used. I like to freeze for 10 minutes just before making the crust
3-6 Tbsp ice cold water
Coconut Whipped Cream
DIRECTIONS
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (174 C), and see notes about coconut oil before starting.
Add all pie filling ingredients to a blender and blend until smooth, scraping down sides as needed. Taste and adjust flavor as needed (it shouldn’t need anything). Set aside.
To prepare crust, add flour and salt to a large mixing bowl and whisk to combine.
Next add cubed Earth Balance and use a pastry cutter (or fork) to cut the two together, until it resembles wet sand – about 30-45 seconds. Or use a food processor and pulse until the texture is crumbly and then add the water.
Add ice cold water 1 Tbsp at a time and use a wooden spoon to gently mix. A food processor allows this to happen quickly. Just don’t over process or the dough will be tough and chewy.
Use your hands to gently knead/form the dough in the bowl and gather any loose scraps. Then transfer directly to a well-floured surface and form into a disc with your hands.
Roll out your dough into a circle about 1/4-inch thick, adding more flour if the crust sticks. I used a ramekin and pressed it into the dough until the disk could be removed and rolled out a little thinner. The disk should be around 3.5” in diameter. Be careful not to get it too thin or it will be difficult to work with.
Use your spatula to lift the crust, then use your hands to drape the crust into your muffin tin, allowing the edges to fold and curl over itself to accommodate its shape (see photo). Use your hands to carefully form the crust into the tins, being careful not to stretch the dough, but rather fold and push it down to meet the tin’s shape.
Repeat until all tins have been filled and most of the crust is used – reserve any leftover for future pies or other baked goods.
Pour filling into pie crusts to the top of crust and use a spoon to level the top. Bake at 350 degrees F (174 C) for 40-50 minutes, or until the crust is light golden brown and the filling appears golden brown and slightly cracked on top.
Remove from oven and let cool completely before serving – about 2-3 hours. Serve at room temperature, or transfer to a serving platter, loosely cover with plastic wrap, and chill in the refrigerator for 4-6 hours, or overnight. Will keep in the refrigerator for 2-3 days, though best when fresh.
Serve as is, or with coconut whipped cream and an additional sprinkle of cinnamon, nutmeg, and/or pumpkin pie spice (optional). These would also be amazing with my Brown Sugar Pecans!
NOTES
*Make sure your coconut oil is scoopable, not liquid. If it’s too liquidy and pourable, set in refrigerator to firm up for 30 minutes, then stir and let rest another 30 minutes-1 hour at room temperature. It should be consistently solid, not solid in some parts and liquid in others. This is key to getting the crust texture right. (For best and most consistent results, be sure to store your coconut oil in a cool, dark place.)
*If you want to freeze this recipe, we recommend freezing the pie crust and putting the filling in the fridge – store separately. Then on the day of, bake as instructed.
*Nutrition information is a rough estimate calculated using the entire crust and filling and without additional toppings.
NUTRITION
Calories: 261 Fat: 15g Saturated fat: 11.8g Sodium: 127mg Carbohydrates: 30.5g Fiber: 2.3g Sugar: 8.7g Protein: 3g