SILKEN CHOCOLATE CREAM PIE

Serving size: 8

You'll never guess what's in this chocolate cream pie that makes it so silky, creamy, and smooth — its tofu, and I promise, you don't detect a single hint of it. Silken tofu is ideal for use in plant-based desserts because of its delicate body, subtle milky neutral flavor and its ability to create a soft, pudding-like texture.

I'll admit, I was hesitant when I first started experimenting with tofu in a sweet application but don't knock it 'till you try it because it creates some of the best vegan desserts I've ever had.

INGREDIENTS

• 2 cups raw pecans

• 1/4 cup date sugar or coconut sugar

• 1 1/2 tablespoons coconut oil

• 2 1/2 cups vegan semisweet chocolate chips

• 2 cups silken tofu

• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract

• 1 teaspoon sea salt

I exclusively use the Enjoy Life brand of semisweet chocolate chips because I've found they're the best tasting chocolate chips, even including non-vegan chocolate chip brands.

If you're unable to find silken tofu at the store, you may replace it with soft tofu, but silken tofu will work best.

DIRECTIONS

To prepare the crust, combine the pecans and coconut sugar in a food processor and pulse until formed into crumbs. Then add the coconut oil and only 1/2 teaspoon of salt and pulse (you will use the other 1/2 teaspoon of salt in the filling).

Remove the crumb mixture from the food processor and transfer to a pie pan, pressing the mixture into the bottom and sides of the dish and set aside while you make the pie filling.

Add the silken tofu, vanilla extract, and 1/2 teaspoon salt to the food processor. Melt all of your chocolate chips, then add the melted chocolate to the other ingredients in the food processor and blend until very smooth.

Pour the chocolate filling into the pie shell smoothing the top with a spatula. Place the pie in the refrigerator and allow it to set for at least 20 minutes. Once it's completely firm, slice and serve.

Top with fresh berries or non-dairy whipped cream.

The options are endless when it comes to applying silken tofu in desserts and incorporating it actually makes for some of the simplest recipes with very few other ingredients needed. The filling of this pie has an unbelievably velvety rich whipped feel to it and is a nice light yet decadent treat. It comes together quite quickly, but the end result looks and tastes as if you spent all day making it.