Coconut Cream Pie in honor of Pi Day (March 14th)

from VegNews Magazine

When this came through to my email, I had to share.  Doesn't that picture just look delicious?  I can't wait to make this.  I am going to use a delicious cashew based whipped cream on top from my favorite raw foodie and blogger - Carmella at Sunny Raw Kitchen.  The whipped cream is from a Banana Chocolate Cream Cake recipe that is to die for. 

Enjoy!

Coconut Cream Pie

Makes 1 pie

What You Need :
1/2 cup vanilla soy creamer
4 cups vegan chocolate chips, divided
2-1/2 cups shredded unsweetened coconut, divided
1 pound (16 ounces) firm silken tofu
1 cup powdered sugar
1 teaspoon coconut extract

What You Do:
1. Coat 9-inch pie plate with nonstick cooking spray. In a small pan over low heat, heat soy creamer until hot, but not boiling. Add 2 cups chocolate chips slowly and stir until melted. Stir in 1-1/2 cups coconut. Pour into prepared pie plate, smooth out to form a crust, and refrigerate until hard.

2. While crust is in the refrigerator, prepare the filling. In a food processor, place tofu and blend until smooth, scraping down the sides of bowl as necessary. Add sugar and coconut extract.

3. Melt remaining chocolate chips in microwave or double boiler. In a bowl, combine melted chocolate chips and remaining coconut. Pour into prepared pie crust. Top with vegan whipped cream and sprinkle with more coconut if desired. Refrigerate until ready to serve (at least 8 hours).

Whipped Cream
Inspired by Cafe Gratitude's I Am Rapture

1 cup cashews or a mix of cashews and macadamia nuts
1 cup fresh coconut milk (simply blend 1 part dried coconut with 3 parts water in high speed blender)
1/8 - 1/4 cup honey or agave (depending on how sweet you like it)
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1 tablespoon vanilla
Pinch of salt
1/2 cup coconut butter, melted
1 tablespoon lecithin* (1 tbs + 1 tsp psyllium)

*Lecithin is derived from soybeans and acts as an emulsifier. Look for lecithin (preferably non-GMO), in granules or powdered form, at your local HFS. If using granules, make sure to grind them up in a high speed blender of coffee grinder.