Super Simple Apple Pie {Vegan, Dairy-Free, GF}

by | Aug 22, 2015 | Cooked, Dessert, gluten-free, Live Food, Recipe, Vegan, Vegetarian

Hello!

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I hope you are absolutely fantastic and are enjoying the beautiful weather as winter begins to beckon closer. Having lived abroad and in the tropics during the winter the past few years, I’m looking forward to some chilly weather – how about you? 

Anyways, you didn’t come to this blog to chat about the weather – you’re here for PIE! 

Let me first say, this is the first time I’ve ever made a pie (except when I was six and was just more focused on eating the dough while my Grandma tried to teach me how to bake)… so I’m actually pretty pleased with how it turned out.

It was an ordinary day – me plugging away on the computer, sipping a green smoothie, when I thought, “Hey! Kenny (the guy I make healthy, plant-based dinners for) said he’d love an apple pie – I should make one!” 

…Actually, his exact words were, “I’d KILL for an apple pie.” (Emphasis Kill)

But the idea of sharing wholesome, healthy meals is to inspire life, so I responded, “Okay – well, no need to kill… But I’ll make you a healthy, [vegan – it was implied, right?] apple pie!”

And here we are.

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So this recipe is seriouslysimple, but it is still a timely process. I recommend you set 1-2 hours aside. (Lord knows it took me longer, but it was a worthwhile process.)

Thanks to “Hell Yeah, It’s Vegan!”, I had a recipe to go off of and later adapted what is shared below.

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You also have the option of purchasing a pre-made gluten-free, egg-free, dairy-free, etc… pie crust from your local health food store, or you can be a bad-ass and make your own by following the recipe. (Pssst – you’ll want to make it a day ahead and let it set.)

Super Simple Apple Pie {Vegan, Dairy-Free, GF}

Preparation Time: Too long, don’t ask…  2-ish Hours (I’m not going to lie)

Serving Size: 8-12 Slices

Ingredients:

For the Crust:

  • 2.5 c flour
  • 2.5 Cups All-Purpose (organic, gluten-free) Flour
  • 1 tsp Sea Salt
  • 1 Cup Vegan Butter, sliced roughly into 1″ cubes
  • 1/4 Cup Vegan Shortening, chilled, sliced roughly into 1″ cubes
  • 6 Tbsp Ice Water

For The Filling: 

  • 12 Cups Apples, peeled, cored, and sliced 1/4-1/8″ thick
  • 1 Tbsp Coconut Oil
  • 1/2 Lemon, juiced (~1.5 tsp)
  • 1/2 Cup Raw Sugar (Cane, unrefined)
  • 1 tsp Cinnamon
  • 1 pinch of each: cloves, nutmeg and ginger (optional)
  • Vegan milk and coarse sugar, for finishing the crust.

Directions:

  1. First, and preferably a day in advance, prepare the crust.
  2. Sift together flour and salt.
  3. Cut in butter and shortening.
  4. Sprinkle mixture with ice water one tablespoon at a time, stirring gently after each addition, until dough comes together into a ball.
  5. Divide dough into two equal parts.
  6. Shape each half into a disk, wrap tightly in plastic, and refrigerate for at least 1 hour, or (preferably!) overnight.
  7. When you’re ready, roll out both disks and arrange one in the bottom of a 9″ pie pan.
  8. Refrigerate bottom and top crusts while you make the filling.
  9. Melt butter in a very large skillet over high heat.
  10. Add apples and toss to distribute butter.
  11. Reduce heat to medium and cover tightly.
  12. Cook, stirring often, for 5 minutes.
  13. Stir in juice, sugar, and spices.
  14. Increase heat to high and cook, uncovered, until the liquid reduces slightly (2-3 minutes).
  15. Transfer apples to clean baking sheets or bowls and allow to cool fully.
  16. Preheat oven to 350F.
  17. Fill bottom of crust with apple mixture; don’t worry if the filling is taller than the crust!
  18. Arrange top crust as desired, making sure to seal the edges and leave slits or other openings for steam to escape.
  19. Bake for 30 minutes.
  20. Without removing pie from oven, increase heat to 400F and continue to bake for 10 minutes more, or until crust is golden.
  21. Allow to cool completely, or until just warm, about 2-3 hours. A longer cooling time will ensure that the pie slices neatly.
  22. If pie has cooled completely, you can warm it up in the oven just before serving (about 15 minutes at 350F).

Look. At. That. PIE. 

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Ermegerd.

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It’s so obvious I used a pre-made pie crust – I didn’t have four hours to spend making my first crust, too! Next time…

Apples themselves are sweet enough for me, so I only indulged in a bite… But it turned out stellar!

I also gave half to ADIO Health Clinic (Because they’re awesome, and I highly recommend the chiropractic clinic) and Alanna, one of the co-owners, told me it was the “Best apple pie [she’d] ever had in her life.” 

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WIN.

I super hope you’ll take the time to create this pie, too, and come on back here and comment how it went.

PS – If you’re not yet following my travels on SeraphicJourney.com, please do. 🙂 I’m still making up my mind where I’ll head to next, but that’s the fun of being a digital nomad.

AmandaYoga

(PSS- If you’re interested in becoming a digital nomad, too, and sharing your art with the world, check out my other blog HERE all about social and spiritual entrepreneurialism and turning your gifts into your business).

Oh – and if you follow Bloom for Life on INSTAGRAM and FACEBOOK, you’ll get sneak peeks of what’s coming! <3

youDeserveLife