I don’t know what we humans did to deserve cashews. As a little girl, every time I’d visit my grandparents, they had this big platter of different nuts and fruits and I would always go for the cashew section, depriving the rest of my relatives of having any. 25- year old me is not that different, I still prefer cashews over peanuts ( Americans, please don’t come for me), or every other nut for that matter. Luckily for us plant lovers, in addition to making a delicious snack, cashews also provide the most creamy and delicious dessert recipes. You simply have to try these delicious tartlets!
Some of the nutritional benefits of Cashews:
- Rich in heart-healthy fatty acids.
- Rich in protein- each ounce of cashews (16-18 nuts) contains 5 grams of protein.
- Rich in antioxidants, some of the most potent antioxidants include vitamins E and K.
- As opposed to dairy- they contain zero cholesterol.
These tangy, refreshing, delicious pies will make you want to eat more, and the best part is- you don’t have to feel bad about it! Half of this recipe is raw! (or you could make it fully raw by swapping the crust to a raw one made from dates, almonds, and coconut!) Make sure to impress your non-plant-based friends with these amazing little treats.
Vegan Key Lime Pies
Ingredients
-
Filling:
- 1 cup of raw cashews (soaked in hot water for 30 minutes or more)
- 3/4 cup almond milk
- 1/4 cup melted coconut oil
- 1/2 cup lime juice
- 1 tbs lime zest (and a little more for topping them later)
- 1/3 cup maple syrup
- Crust:
- 1 1/4 cups graham cracker crumbs
- 4 tbs melted vegan butter
Directions
- Place the raw cashews in a bowl and cover with hot water to soak.
- Preheat the oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit.
- In a bowl, add the graham cracker crumbs and the melted butter and mix until well combined.
- Evenly distribute the crumbs into muffin tins and press down firmly using a glass or a spoon.
- Bake for 10-13 minutes until golden brown. Set aside to cool.
- Add all of the filling ingredients to a blender and blend on high. Taste the mixture and adjust to your liking (you might want to add more lime juice or more maple syrup).
- Evenly pour mixture over the crusts and top with a little more lime zest.
- Cover and place in the freezer to set. Wait at least 3 hours before serving. Remove and let thaw for 5 minutes before enjoying.
- Enjoy!
Tips: If you are using unsweetened milk, you might want to add a little more maple syrup.
