Delicious No-Sugar Raw Vegan Pecan Pie

     Thanksgiving is right around the corner and my favorite food to bake, now un-bake, is pecan pie. I have made many tasty vegan pecan pies because I love pecan pie and have always been trying to perfect my recipe but this is my favorite and just happens to be the easiest too!
   
        I had the idea for this recipe when I went through the farmer's market and tried some tasty honey dates. They tasted like delicious caramel or like the gooey part of pecan pie filling plus I was kinda on a raw food kick and just discovering many amazing things that could be done with coconut oil, like make a delicious buttery-tasting crust. The best thing about this pie is it's easier to make than regular pecan pie and equally, if not more, delicious.

Crust:
2 Cups raw oat groats (if you can't find these, you can use whole oats)
1 Cup raw coconut oil (I like Artisana brand from Whole Foods)

Pour oat groats into blender or food processor and blend a minute or so until it has more of a floury consistency. It will be a bit grainer than flour then mix together with the oil in in a bowl. Sometimes I need to add a little extra coconut oil. Once the dough is mixed, press into your pie tin (it works best in a disposable pie tin) and place in refrigerator while you make the filling.

Filling:
2 C honey dates or medjool work well too
1 Tbsp raw whipped honey* (optional)
1 Tbsp vanilla extract**
1 1/2 C raw pecan pieces

Soak the pecans and dates separately overnight or for at least an hour or two. This step can be skipped if there are time constraints but it does make a tiny difference in taste.

Mix the dates, honey and vanilla in a blender or food processor. You may need to add a little water if using a blender to get everything to blend. Then stir in the pecans. Once the filling is mixed to your liking,

You can also make it a chocolate pecan pie by mixing a cup of raw cacao nibs in the food processor with your dates, honey and vanilla. It has a very dark chocolate flavor.

*honey is not considered vegan to some people so if this is you, omit it
**If you're strict about being all raw, vanilla extract is not raw so you may want to omit this.