Banana Cream Pie ( Vegan)

Absolutely delicious, 10-ingredient vegan banana cream pie! Crispy gluten-free crust, fluffy and silky cream center, and layered with 3 whole bananas! (Adapted from a recipe by The Minimalist Baker)

Don't let the 8 hours scare you.  Most of this time is fridge time.  Do note that you have to put the coconut milk in the fridge overnight, if you are making your own coconut cream.  The pie is so worth all of the steps it takes to make it.  In fact, you might want to prepare two of them, as I can assure you your guests will want seconds.

Prep time: 2 hours, 20 minutes.

Cook time: 40 minutes

Total time: 8 hours

Serves: 8-12

Ingredients

CRUST

·      3/4 cup (67 g) gluten free rolled oats

·      3/4 cup (84 g) raw almonds

·      1/4 cup coconut flour

·      1/4 tsp sea salt

·      2 Tbsp (24 g) organic cane sugar or coconut sugar

·      1/4 cup (60 ml) melted coconut oil

FILLING

·      2 Tbsp (14 g) cornstarch *(do not make any substitutes)1/3 cup (66 g) organic cane sugar or sub coconut sugar *(for a yummy butterscotch flavour)

·      pinch sea salt

·      1 1/2 cups (360 ml) unsweetened plain almond milk

·      1 tsp pure vanilla extract

·      1 just ripe banana, sliced

COCONUT WHIP

·      1 14-ounce (414 g) can coconut cream (or two cans full fat coconut milk), refrigerated overnight

·      1/2 tsp vanilla extract

·      3-5 Tbsp (24-40 g) organic powdered sugar

*(You can also buy coconut whipped cream already prepared and available at your local health food store, by “So Delicious.”  It really is soooo delicious!)

FOR TOPPING

·      Coconut whipped cream

·      1-2 more just ripe bananas, sliced *(add them just before serving to prevent browning)

Instructions

CRUST

1.  Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (176 C)

2. Line an 8x8-inch inch baking dish with parchment paper, or grease a standard pie dish. Set aside.

3. Add oats, almonds, coconut flour, sea salt (optional), and sugar to a high speed blender and mix/pulse on high until a fine meal is achieved.

4. Remove lid and add melted coconut oil, starting with 1/4 cup (60 ml) and adding more if it's too dry. Pulse/mix on low until a loose dough is formed, scraping down sides as Fneeded. You should be able to squeeze the mixture between two fingers and form a dough instead of it crumbling. If too dry, add a bit more melted coconut oil.

5.  Transfer mixture to pie pan or baking dish and spread evenly to distribute. Then place parchment paper on top and use a flat-bottomed object, such as a drinking glass, to press down firmly until it’s evenly distributed and well packed on the bottom and up the sides.

6. Bake for 15 minutes, then increase heat to 375 F (190 C) and bake for 5-10 minutes more, or until the edges are golden brown and there is some browning on the surface. Remove from oven and set aside to cool.

FILLING

7. In the meantime, prepare pudding by adding cornstarch, sugar, and salt (optional) to a small saucepan and whisk in almond milk to avoid clumps.

8. Place over medium heat and cook until bubbling, whisking frequently. Then reduce heat to low and continue cooking for 4-6 more minutes, using a rubber spatula to scrape the sides and bottom almost constantly.

9. Once it appears "jiggly" and a visible ribbon forms when you drizzle some over the top with your spatula, remove from heat, whisk in vanilla, and let cool 10 minutes. Then transfer to a glass or ceramic bowl and cover with plastic wrap, making sure the plastic wrap is touching the surface or it will form a film on top. Refrigerate until cooled and set - about 2-3 hours.

10.       In the meantime, place a medium-large glass mixing bowl in the freezer for your coconut whipped cream. Remove coconut cream can from fridge, being careful not to shake or turn it and remove top. Gently scoop out the top hardened "cream" into the chilled bowl, leaving any liquid watery portion behind. You can use this for smoothies or in baking, if you wish. Otherwise discard it.

11.       Use a hand-held mixer to whip the coconut cream until it begins to look like whipped cream, about 1 minute. Then add 3 Tbsp powdered sugar. Beat again until light and airy - about 2-3 minutes. Set in refrigerator (uncovered) to chill.

12.       Once the pudding is completely cooled, is jiggly and set, add to the coconut whipped cream and stir lightly until just combined. Set in refrigerator.

13.       Add sliced banana to the bottom of the baked crust, then top with custard-coconut whip mixture. Smooth the top with a spoon, then cover with plastic wrap and set in the refrigerator for at least 4 hours, preferably overnight, to chill/set.

TOPPING

14.       To serve, top with additional coconut whipped cream (optional) and more sliced bananas (I used two), slice and enjoy! Store leftovers gently covered in the refrigerator up to 3 days, though best within the first 48 hours.