Monday, November 21, 2016

Vegan Chocolate Pie With Cookie Crumbles (Gluten-Free) + A Sweets from the Earth Bakery Giveaway

This luscious vegan and gluten-free chocolate pie has a cashew cookie crust and a chocolate tofu pudding filling. Serve it right out of the freezer for the creamy taste of a chocolate ice pop!

With the holidays coming up, no doubt you are expecting guests or looking forward to parties with friends and family. Whether you're preparing a dessert to serve after Christmas dinner or bringing a dish along to a potluck party, it's nice to make sure everyone feels included. This luscious chocolate pie is the right amount of delicious and decadent for a holiday dessert. It's also vegan and gluten-free so it's a great offering for vegan or gluten-free friends and family.


I made the pie crust and the cookie topping with these amazing flourless cashew cookies from Toronto's Sweets from the Earth vegan bakery. Sweets from the Earth fans and new friends will be glad to know that some of their items are now available to order online across Canada. That includes these rich and delicious flourless cashew cookies. Check out what's available in the online shop.


The crust for this vegan chocolate pie couldn't be easier to make - it's a simple mixture of melted vegan margarine and cashew cookies, briefly pulsed in the food processor and then pressed into a pie plate. Bake the crust for 10 minutes to brown it some and prepare it for the filling.


The delicious chocolate filling is made from - believe it or not - tofu! I based the filling on a chocolate pudding recipe from an old cookbook that my husband and I still use and love - Tofu Cookery. (They released a 25th anniversary edition in 2008, so that tells you how old it is.) I used less sugar in the filling (things have changed a bit over the years when it comes to sugar!) I also lightened up the oil. This pudding/filling is so easy to make - just blend the six very basic ingredients in a blender and you're done! I used medium-firm tofu.


The pudding, once chilled and firmed up in the pie crust, makes a lovely silky chocolate pie. It's gently sweet and has a nice richness from the cocoa. What makes it even better is the crumbled flourless cashew cookies on top! I simply placed two of the Sweets from the Earth cookies in a sandwich bag and rolled a rolling pin over top a couple of times. I think the golden cookies contrast nicely with the darker chocolate.


Of course, if you are in a hurry or just don't feel like baking, Sweets from the Earth has ready-made options like this rich and delicious gluten-free chocolate cake.


I brought one to my friends' house last weekend. To dress it up a bit I put it on a cake plate and dusted it with icing sugar (powdered sugar) and topped it with blackberries and chocolate chips. It worked perfectly as a dessert for the vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free folks. Everybody loved it.


It can be a challenge to find tasty gluten-free treats. Whether you have a disease that requires you to eat gluten-free or you simply feel more healthy when you avoid gluten, Sweets from the Earth has delicious gluten-free desserts made just for you. 

My sister-in-law (who avoids wheat) sampled Sweets from the Earth's almond biscotti (I may have pointed it out to her!) when grabbing a tea at Second Cup. She is completely addicted now! One time she went into the coffee shop to grab some more and they were out of stock. She was so disappointed. The next time I was out and saw the biscotti I made sure to pick some up for her. (You can pop the package right in the freezer if you want to stock up.)


For the items that aren't yet available online, use this store locator to find a store that carries Sweets from the Earth. Their gourmet vegan and gluten-free cookie dough is amazing to keep in the freezer so you can have fresh-baked cookies whenever you want them. My daughter has been bugging me to bake up another batch! Fyi, the scrumptious Hello Dolly and caramel almond shortbread bars (pictured above) are available online. You'd never know they were gluten-free! Sweets from the Earth also offers a range of nut-free options. Read the bakery's allergy statement here.


Get 10% off at Sweets from The Earth!

Sweets from the Earth is giving Woman in Real Life readers 10% off in their online shop! It's a great time to stock up on goodies to get you through the holidays. Use code WRL10 to get the discount – good until December 31, 2016.

And read on for the recipe for this easy chocolate pie!


Do you look for gluten-free treats for yourself or family members?


Enter to Win a $30 Gift Certificate to Spend Online at Sweets from the Earth!


Canadians may enter to win a $30 gift certificate to spend in Sweets from the Earth's online shop. Enter using the rafflecopter widget below until December 12th.


a Rafflecopter giveaway



Vegan Chocolate Pie With Cookie Crumbles (Gluten-Free)



by Joann MacDonald
Keywords: dessert gluten-free vegan
Ingredients (for 1 pie)
    For The Crust
    • 1 ½ cups (about 9) Sweets from the Earth gluten-free flourless cashew cookies
    • ¼ cup vegan margarine, melted
    For The Filling
    • 1 ½ pounds medium-firm tofu, drained of packaging liquid
    • ¼ cup grapeseed oil
    • ¾ cup sugar
    • ⅓ cup cocoa
    • ½ tsp sea salt
    • 2 tsp vanilla
    For The Topping
    • 2 Sweets from the Earth gluten-free flourless cashew cookies
    Instructions

    Preheat oven to 350°F.
    For The Crust
    Pulse cookies briefly in food processor until they make small crumbs. Add melted margarine and pulse 2 or 3 times until gently mixed.
    Press mixture into bottom and sides of a 91/2-inch pie plate. Bake for 8 to 10 minutes, until slightly browned on the edges. Put aside to cool.
    For The Filling
    Blend all filling ingredients in a blender until smooth, stopping a couple of times to scrape down sides.
    When pie crust has cooled, spoon filling into crust. Chill in freezer until firm.
    For The Topping
    Place cookies in a plastic sandwich bag. Run a rolling pin once or twice over the bag until the cookies are crumbly. Sprinkle on pie.
    Store pie in the freezer. Remove from the freezer and let sit for a few minutes to soften before serving.
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    13 comments:

    1. I went low carb about a year ago. So while I'm not totally gluten-free, I try to avoid foods with a lot of gluten, as they usually equal lots of carbs. But I do make exceptions for sweets :0

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      Replies
      1. I think we all make exceptions for sweets. ;) Thanks Alison!

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    2. I buy gluten free treats for my family.

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      Replies
      1. Then you will enjoy these treats Mel! Thanks for entering. :)

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    3. I always look for gluten free treats for myself!

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    4. I don`t usually look for gluten free products,but love to try them when I do see them

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    5. I do look for gluten-free treats for my sister. We are making gluten-free brownies today for her.
      twinkle at optonline dot net

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    6. I do look for gluten-free treats from time to time. I often just make my own at home.

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    7. My nephew is GF as well as a few kids in my Kids school class. I'm always picking something up so that they can feel included. They're just kids...

      Besos Sarah
      Journeys of The Zoo

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      Replies
      1. Yes, it's hard when kids don't feel included. :( Nice of you to think about the GF folks!

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