Black Forest Pecan Pie

Ingredients

For the crust

• 10 pitted Medjool dates
• ¾ cup rolled oats
• ¼ cup raw unsweetened shredded dried coconut
• ¼ cup pecan halves

For the filling

• ½ cup maple syrup
• ¼ cup unsulphured blackstrap molasses
• 1 cup vegan chocolate chips
• 5 pitted Medjool dates
• 2 tablespoons vegan margarine
• 2 tablespoons filtered or spring water
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1½ cups pecan halves

Toppings

• 15 pecan halves

Method

Preheat the oven to 190°C/375°F/gas mark 5.

Put the dates, oats, coconut and pecans in a high-performance blending appliance, and process to the consistency of soft dough.

Transfer the dough onto a board and form it into a ball.

Flatten the dough slightly with your hands and then use a rolling pin to roll the dough into a 10-inch round. Invert the dough on to an ungreased 9-inch pie plate.

Press the dough mixture evenly over the bottom of the plate, pushing it up the sides of the pie plate as you go, to make a crust.

To craft a pretty edge to the crust, use your index finger to push the inner edge of the crust out, while pinching the outer edge in with the thumb and index finger of your other hand to make a classic scallop edge around the pie crust.

Put the maple syrup, molasses, vegan chocolate chips, pitted dates, vegan margarine, water, and vanilla extract in a blender and process until very smooth.

Pour the maple mixture in a medium bowl.

Fold in 1½ cups whole pecans.

Pour the filling into the crust and smooth the top using a rubber spatula.

Gently press 15 whole pecans into the top of the pie, arranging them in a pleasing manner.

Put the pie on a baking sheet and bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until the edges start to set and brown. Tent the pie with foil and bake for 5 to 8 minutes more, or until the pie has almost set in the middle. The filling will still be somewhat soft.

Carefully put the pie on a wire rack (the filling will be very hot!) and let cool for 1 hour. Cover and chill for at least 2 hours. Serve chilled. Cover and store leftover pie in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.