Raw Apple Pie

I thought I might take a minute to share with you all one of my absolute favorite recipes just in time for the holidays. A raw apple pie. Yes, totally raw- no oven required! This recipe is paleo, vegan, and beyond indulgent. It is even healthy enough to eat for breakfast. This recipe was adapted from Ani Phyo’s All-American Raw Apple pie, a very talented raw vegan chef. Check out her books.

Ingredients: 

Crust:

• 2 cups almonds
• 1/2 tsp sea salt
• 2 cups dates
• almond flour (about 1 tablespoon)

Syrup:

• 1/2 cup dates
• 1 peeled orange
• water as needed

Filling:

• 5 cups very thinly sliced apples (about 5-6 apples preferably softer apples like a gala or red delicious)
• 1 cup dried cranberries
• 1 tbsp ground cinnamon

For the crust: 

1. Place almonds, salt and dates in a food processor.
2. Process until almonds are ground fine and a dough is formed.
3. Sprinkle a little almond flour on the bottom of a standard pie pan. (This will keep the dough from sticking.)
4. Spread dough out evenly with your fingers. Wet your hands a little if needed. Pinch the edges to form a pretty crust.

For the syrup and filling:

1. Cut apples and slice very thinly with a mandoline  slicer.
2. Place is large mixing bowl.
3. Add dried cranberries and cinnamon.
4. Place 1/2 cup dates and peeled orange in blender. Add a little water at a time if needed.
5. Blend until very smooth.
6. Pour syrup over apples and mix until apples are coated.

Assembly:

1. Add apples to pie crust. Assemble the very top layers of apples into a pretty circular pattern.
2. Let sit for 1-2 hours before serving. (Best results are actually the next day when it sits in the fridge over night.)