Friday, November 23, 2012

Vegan Triple Layer Thanksgiving Pie

I am thankful for so much: wonderful Robert (boyfriend), energetic Bruce (puppy), and my awesome family at the top of the list. A great job, a hobby that de-stresses and keeps me fed, and friends around the globe. And let's not forget the little things: all the Christmas shopping is done, I have a day off, and I have a winning new recipe! Here's a pic of the Thanksgiving plate:


That's maple glazed baked tofu, vegan cornbread stuffing, vegan mashed potatoes and gravy, vegan green bean casserole, and vegan cranberry sauce. You know I am going to make this recipe with the leftover cranberry sauce!

But the pièce de résistance was without a doubt my triple later Thanksgiving pie!


Cheesecake
Pumpkin Pie
Chocolate Pecan Pie
Three layers of goodness. In one pie.
Warning, it's not your usual quick and easy recipe that you'll find here, but your hard work and patience will be rewarded!

Ingredients:
Crust:
1 cu graham cracker crumbs (I made mine by putting 10 graham crackers in the food processor)
1 T vegan butter (or oil)
2 T cold water

Cheesecake layer:
1 cup soaked cashews (soak in water for 4 hours)

4 oz. firm tofu (you will need a 1 lb package total for this recipe - 4 oz for the cheese cake and the remaining 12 for the pumpkin pie)
8 oz. vegan cream cheese
2/3 cu maple syrup
1 t lemon juice
1 t vanilla extract

Pumpkin Pie Layer:
12 oz firm tofu

1 - 15 oz can pumpkin puree
2 T pumpkin pie spice
1/2 tsp salt
1/3 cu oil
1 tsp vanilla
1/2 cu brown sugar
1 1/2 t molasses

Chocolate Pecan Pie Layer:
2 T ground flax seed
6 T water
1/3 cu melted vegan butter
2/3 cu brown sugar
1/3 cu whole wheat flour
1 1/2 cu pecan pieces, toasted in 350 oven for 10 min
 cu semisweet chocolate chips
2 tablespoons bourbon

Let's do it!
Step one: Preheat oven to 350° F. Make a simple pie crust by combining 1 cu graham cracker crumbs with 2 T vegan butter (or oil) and 2 T cold water. Press into a spring form pan (cheesecake pan) and prick with a fork. Blind bake for 8 minutes.

Step Two: Make the cheesecake layer by blending ingredients in a food processor. You'll have to blend awhile until the cashews are nice and creamy. Top pie crust with cheesecake layer and put in freezer for about 15 minutes while you make the next layer.

Step Three: Blend pumpkin pie ingredients in food processor and add to cheesecake layer. It should be cold enough to keep from separating the layers. Replace in freezer for another 15 minutes while you make the next layer.

Step Four: Make the pecan pie layer. This pie is good enough to serve on its own - it's delicious! Whisk the water and ground flax and let sit for 10 minutes. Stir in other ingredients and add to pie to make top layer. Bake at 350 for 1 hour to 1.5 hours. Test with a toothpick. Pie will still be a little jiggly, but noticeably firmer than when you put it in. Let cool on counter top and then refrigerate overnight. Warm every so slightly in microwave before serving!
Enjoy!

Credit where it's due. My sister, Kimberly gave me the idea when she made a non-vegan version for her boyfriend's birthday!

And I used these recipes as inspiration for this masterpiece:

Cheesecake - Hungry Hungry Hippie
Pumpkin Pie - Vegetarian.com
Chocolate Pecan Pie - Your Vegan Mom