Easy 5 Minute Gluten-Free Pie Crust / Cherry Almond Tart Recipe

I've been on quite the search lately for a slightly sweet, easy to make, Gluten Free Vegan Pie Crust recipe.

This has not proved to be an easy task.  So, being the crafty vegan baker I am, I decided to create my own from scratch (pun intended).

I gathered my ingredients: Wholesome Chow's All-Purpose Baking Mix, vegan butter, vegan shortening, ice cold water, vodka (yep!) and a dash of sugar.  I placed them in my food processor, and in about 5 minutes I had a pie dish lined with beautiful pie dough.

*Tip: The addition of Vodka in the recipe gives the dough a little bit of extra tenderness.  Use cold water in place if you don't have any.

Easy 5 Minute Gluten-Free Pie Crust made into Cherry-Almond Tart

Absolutely no rolling required.  That's why I call this the Easy 5 Minute Gluten-Free Pie Dough. 

Moist, delicate, and flaky.  Just they way I like my men pie crust.

I also was given some tips from Mrs. Martha Stewart herself (at least from her Pies and Tarts Cookbook) and filled this yummy pie crust with a simple mixture of Cherries and Almonds.

This whole pie only took me about 10 minutes to whip up (not including baking time).  No rolling pin required.  

I love it.

You can also make quiches and other savory pie crust recipes using this same exact dough.  I LOVE Isa Chandra Moskowitz's Vegan Quiche recipes like this one here.

Hmm...maybe that's what I will make this pie crust with next.  I just picked up her new book, "Vegan Brunch" and she has like a zillion quiche recipes in there.

Try this recipe with Pumpkin Pie too using this Easy 5 Minute Gluten-Free Pie Crust in place of the prepared one they mention.  After all, it is almost Thanksgiving.

Easy 5 Minute Gluten-Free Pie Crust

No Rolling Required!

Makes enough for 1 9" round pie

Gluten Free ● Egg Free ● Dairy Free ● Soy Free ● Casein Free ● Vegan

1 cup Wholesome Chow's All-Purpose Baking Mix

3/4 tsp Guar or Xanthan Gum

1 tsp Sugar

2 tbsp Butter (Non-Dairy or Dairy), very cold

3 tbsp Organic Shortening (such as Spectrum), or Butter, very cold

2 tsp Vodka (or chilled water instead)

8 tsp Chilled Water

Prep:

• Place butter, shortening, water, vodka and a large mixing bowl into the freezer for 15 minutes to thoroughly chill everything.  Keeping this dough nice and cold will help you get a flakier crust in the end.  

Pie Crust Directions:

1. In a food processor, combine the All-Purpose Baking Mix, guar or xanthan gum and sugar.  
2. Process for 10 seconds to combine.
3. With the motor running, add the butter and shortening until mixture is nice and crumbly.  Do not over process.
4. Using a rubber spatula, pour the dough into your chilled bowl.  Add the liquid ingredients 1-2 teaspoons at a time.  Mix with the spatula until a dough starts to form.  It might not require all of the liquid so try not to add all the liquid at once.
5. Pour the dough into a pie pan (glass is best!) and press into the shape you desire.  
6. Make your desired filling and pour into prepared crust.
7. Bake pie for approximately 20-50 minutes, depending on your filling.

Cherry-Almond Tart
Makes 1 9" round tart
Gluten Free ● Egg Free ● Dairy Free ● Soy Free ● Casein Free ● Corn Free

1/2 cup Almonds, toasted
1/4 cup Sugar
1/4 tsp Nutmeg, ground
Pinch Salt
2-4 cups Fresh Cherries, pitted, or in a jar in juice

1 recipe Easy 5 Minute Gluten Free Crust (see above)

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
2. In a food processor, combine almonds, sugar, nutmeg and salt.  
3. Puree for 30 seconds, or until a fine meal is created.
4. Place meal in a bowl and add cherries.
5. Toss to combine and pour into prepared pie crust.
6. Bake for 20-30 minutes, or until crust is starting to brown and cherries are starting to dry slightly.
7. Let rest for 20 minutes and serve.

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