sweet with a touch of tart ! Perfect for holiday gatherings.

To me, apple pie is synonymous with holidays and an overall cozy feeling. Although it never got cold where I grew up in south Florida, my mom’s Apple pie was always the perfect way to have just a little bit of that Holiday Magic. Because my mom shares the same sugar allergy I do, her apple pies always tasted different than any I had ever had before. No one ever seemed to miss the sugar in the pie, and I know you won’t either.

although this is not my mother’s Apple pie recipe, it takes heavy inspiration from it. This version is gluten-free and vegan as well. The fruit is allowed to shine with the addition of apricot jam. You’re going to want to find an apricot jam that has no added sugar and only uses fruit. Other types of jam will work, but apricot is really what makes this pie special.

when choosing apples for this pie, you want to avoid golden, delicious, red, delicious or any overly sweet apple. I personally like to use a mix of Granny Smith and honey, crisp apples. These apples will give the pie the tang it means, while retaining a good balance of sweetness.

for each pie I use around 8 to 10 apples, and a whole jar of jam, which is usually around 8 ounces. Another key aspect to the pie is adding a spoon full of any type of vegan butter. I make my own butter from scratch but any store bought nondairy butter should be equally delicious. I don’t use the measuring spoon for this but I use a large eating spoon.

my mothers pie was always made with Pillsberry pie crust, but due to making this a gluten free dish, I had to create my own crust. This took many weeks of experimentation, and I was very happy to go through this process so anyone who desires to make this pie doesn’t have to.

the crust needs 2 tablespoons of vegan butter, 2 cups of almond flour, 2 cups of arrowroot powder, and 1/2 of a cup of psyllium husk. Be careful not to overdo the psyllium husk. If you do, the crust will become tough and chewy. Once all of these are mixed together, you can start adding in water 1/2 of a cup at a time. I have found that the crust usually ends up where it needs to be after a little over a cup of water. If the Dough is too wet, add more arrowroot powder and if the dough is too dry, just add more water.

this pie is bursting with flavor, and will certainly be the talk of the evening!

Gluten-Free and Vegan Apple Pie Recipe (no sugar added!)

This gluten-free and vegan apple pie is the perfect dessert for holiday gatherings or cozy evenings. It has just the right balance of sweetness and tartness, thanks to the use of tangy apples and apricot jam. The recipe is inspired by my mom’s apple pie, which always had a unique flavor due to our shared sugar allergy. You won’t even miss the sugar in this delicious pie!

Ingredients:

• 8 to 10 apples (mix of Granny Smith and honey crisp)
• 8 ounces of no-added-sugar apricot jam
• 1 tablespoon of vegan butter
• 2 tablespoons of vegan butter (for the crust)
• 2 cups of almond flour
• 2 cups of arrowroot powder
• 1/2 cup of psyllium husk
• Water

Instructions:

1. Preparing the Crust:

1. In a mixing bowl, combine 2 tablespoons of vegan butter, almond flour, arrowroot powder, and psyllium husk.
2. Mix well until the ingredients are evenly incorporated.
3. Gradually add water, 1/2 cup at a time, while mixing.
4. The dough should come together after a little over 1 cup of water. Add more arrowroot powder if the dough is too wet, or more water if it’s too dry.
5. Shape the dough into a ball and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to let it firm up.

2. Preparing the Filling:

1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Peel and core the apples, then slice them into thin wedges.
3. In a large mixing bowl, combine the sliced apples, the entire jar of apricot jam, and a spoonful of vegan butter. Mix until the fruit is coated evenly.

3. Assembling the Pie:

1. Take the chilled dough out of the refrigerator and divide it into two equal parts. Roll out one portion of the dough to fit the bottom of a pie dish.
2. Place the rolled-out dough onto the pie dish, gently pressing it to adhere to the edges.
3. Pour the apple filling into the pie dish, spreading it evenly.
4. Roll out the second portion of the dough to create the pie’s top crust. You can arrange the dough as a lattice pattern or cover the entire pie with it.
5. Seal the edges of the pie and cut slits on the top crust to allow steam to escape while baking.

4. Baking the Pie:

1. Preheat the oven to 385°
2. place a baking sheet on the rack underneath the pie pan to reduce dripping in the oven.
3. Bake the pie in the preheated oven for about an hour, or until the crust turns golden brown and the filling is bubbling.
4. Once baked, remove the pie from the oven and let it cool to a safe eating temperature before serving.

Enjoy a slice of this flavorful gluten-free and vegan apple pie, which is sure to be the highlight of any holiday gathering or cozy occasion!