Frozen Chocolate Pie (Vegan, Paleo)

Several people asked for the recipe for this vegan paleo chocolate pie the other day that I figured I'd post it here. It's delicious. You can't tell that it's basically made of nuts and fruit because it is so decadent. In fact, it's so good you may still feel guilty eating it. I got the recipe from a cookbook I borrowed from my neighbor called Made with Love. A mother/daughter duo from Ontario. Apparently, their baked goods are their claim to fame, and I want to try all of them. Other than the time to soak the nuts and freeze the pie, this recipe took me about 10 minutes to make.

I did not let the almonds soak for as long as they recommend fo the crust (8 hours). I was too impatient, so I only soaked them for a half hour, along with the cashews and dates. Also, I didn't not have agave, so I used pure maple syrup. Everything still came out fabulous.

Frozen Chocolate Pie

Raw Nut Pie Crust:
2 cups raw almonds
2 cups pitted dates
2 tsp vanilla extract
1 tsp sea salt

Filling:
1 frozen Raw Nut Pie Crust
3 1/2 cups raw cashews, soaked in filtered water for about 30 minutes, then drained
1 cup raw cocao powder
3/4 cup agave (or maple) syrup
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
3/4 cup coconut oil, melted

Topping:
2/3 cup raw cocao powder
2/3 cup coconut oil, melted
6 tablespoons agave (or maple) syrup
2 teaspoons vanilla extract

1. Prepare in a 9-inch springform pan
2. Soak the almonds in filtered water for 1/2 hour. Even better, soak in the refrigerator for up to 8 hours. Drain. Rinse well then drain again.
3. Soak the dates for 30 minutes in warm filtered water to soften.
4. Transfer soaked almonds and dates to a food processory fitted with the metal blade. Add the vanilla and salt. Pulse until just combined.
5. Press the crust into the 9-inch springform pan and freeze until ready to use.
6. To make the filling, combine the soaked cashews, cacao powder, agave syrup, vanilla extract, and 3/4 cup filtered water in a blender or food processor. Blend until smooth. Add the coconut oil and blend again.
7. Pour the chocolate filling into the frozen pie crust. Freeze until the filling is firm.
8. To make the chocolate topping, mix together the cacao powder, coconut oil, agave syrup, and vanilla extract.
9. Pour the chocolate topping over the frozen chocolate pie filling. Return the pie to the freezer until frozen.