Vegan Coconut Cream Pie

Happy Tuesday everyone!
 I hope everyone had a great weekend! My heart goes out to the families and victims of the Las Vegas shooting. Please take a moment of silence before you continue reading this post.

    This week, I have chosen to do a vegan coconut cream pie recipe.
For a typical filling for coconut cream pie, it would have the half-and-half, and eggs. That's pretty easy to substitute. For half-and-half, we can substitute with coconut milk (seems like a perfect substitute). For eggs, just like for that pecan pie recipe, we will use SILKEN tofu. I want to make sure that I continue to stress the importance of silken tofu for baking/pastry items. Some people will use meringue for the coconut cream pie as a topping, but I just use regular whipped topping just because it is less time consuming. (Vegan whipped topping: I have a quick 4 ingredient recipe for that as well).Now, my opinion of the pie. I honestly really liked it, even with the tofu. I am always worried about tasting tofu in the dessert when I make it, so I usually add more shredded coconut, just to make sure I taste the coconut. I also add coconut extract to the whipped topping instead of the vanilla extract to give it that extra coconut flavor.
(Below is a picture of how it looks before you put the whipped topping on)

When you guys are creating the filling for the coconut cream pie, it is imperative that you are constantly stirring this filling, otherwise, it will coagulate and it will just be gross and dense. Don't plan to leave it unattended!!! Also, when you are done cooking your filling, make sure that it cools fully before putting it into your pie crust. The best part about this recipe is since it is a "stirred custard" pie, it does not need to be baked in the oven. You just need to bake the crust, you cook the custard, and then you just put it in the fridge until it is set, then you can enjoy this yummy treat!

I am super excited to be sharing this recipe with you guys, and I am blessed to be part of this great blog. October 1, 2017 marked 1 year that The Smoothie Vegetarians have been up and running, and it is amazing on the progress we have made. Thank you all for reading! I will see you guys next week!

-Maranda :)




Ingredients for Pie Crust:

• 2 1/2 cups All-Purpose Flour
• 2 Tablespoon sugar
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 3/4 cup vegan butter
• 6 Tablespoon vegan shortening
• 1/2 cup cold water
• Additional 9 Tablespoon water

Directions for Pie Crust:

• Whisk the dry ingredients together and cut in vegan butter. 
• Carefully work the water into the dough. (pour in some of the water, and start to mix it with your hands). This recipe is good for 2 pie crusts. So cut the ball of dough in half.
• Wrap the dough balls in plastic wrap, compress it until it looks like a disc, and put in the chiller for 1 hour. 
• Roll out your vegan pie crust. And carefully put it in the pie plate. Don't worry if it starts to rip, that will happen. Just try your best to carefully piece it together.
• Tuck in the edges, if you have a bag of beans, place that in the center of the pie crust and bake at 325 for 8 minutes. If you do not have a bag of beans handy, just use a fork and poke around the pie crust so it won't rise. 

Ingredients for filling:

• 1 cup sugar
• 5 Tbsp cornstarch
• 1 cup silken tofu
• 1 can coconut milk
• 1 tsp coconut extract
• 1 1/2 cup shredded coconut
• 2 Tbsp vegan butter
• 1 Tbsp nutritional yeast
• 1/2 tsp salt

Directions for filling:

• In a saucepan, over medium-high heat, mix the sugar, cornstarch, and salt. Stir in coconut milk. Once it starts to bubble up, reduce your heat to low. Once it starts to thicken, remove it from the heat and allow to cool.
• Add silken tofu and the mixture to a food processor. Pulse it until smooth. Add coconut extract, vegan butter, nutritional yeast, and 1 cup of coconut flakes, and continue to pulse.
• Pour into your pie crust, spread it evenly, and then add your whipped topping (or meringue) to your pie, spread that evenly on top, and put it in the fridge for about an hour or two to let it set.
• Toast the remaining 1/2 cup shredded coconut. Top your pie with the toasted shredded coconut.
• ENJOY!!! :)

Ingredients for whipped topping:

• 1 cup cashews
• 1/4 cup nondairy milk
• 3 tsp coconut extract
• 1 Tbsp maple syrup

Directions for whipped topping:

• Throw all your ingredients into the blender and blend it until smooth. 
• Put it in the fridge for about 25-30 minutes to let it set. 

If you like it enough, you can always make them into tartlets!!! I have added an additional picture from when I made some tartlets for a bridal shower!