Tips for Making Prize-Worthy Summer Pies That Are Vegan

Summertime means pie; pies of all kinds that are made with fresh, seasonal fruit and bursting with juice and flavor. This is the perfect season to indulge in sweet, sticky pies made from blueberries, strawberries, rhubarb, peaches, raspberries and more. All this talk of pie makes us want to hit up a state fair (with a vegan pie baking competition, of course). To bake your own non-dairy summer treats, see the tips below for making prize-worthy summer pies.

Make a Pie Crust Using Vodka

By using vodka in your homemade pie crust, you’ll get a dough that’s easier to work with and is also more tender and flaky than traditional pie crusts. The moist dough makes it easy for you to cut, roll and form into crusts and cookies.

Get Healthier With Whole Wheat Pastry Flour

Bake a healthier pie by opting for whole wheat pastry flour over white and refined flours. For this Blueberry Pie with a Heart-Healthy Crust, use whole wheat pastry flour, high-oleic safflower oil, salt, non-dairy milk and sugar. Use whole wheat pastry flour for other pies other desserts, like these Apple Pie Cookies and this Maple Vegan Apple Pie.

Choose What’s In Season

For the filling of your pie, choose fresh, seasonal and preferably organic fruit. It tastes so much sweeter and smells much more fragrant when it’s in season. Choose strawberries and rhubarb for this Seasonal Strawberry Rhubarb Pie and use organic pitted cherries for this Vegan Cherry Pie with Hemp Seed and Walnut.

Use Cream of Coconut Instead of Condensed Milk

There’s no denying that condensed milk has its place in baking pies and other desserts. The Cream of Coconut Caramel in this Snickers-Inspired Chocolate, Caramel, and Peanut Butter Pie was inspired by that caramel that is made by simmering a can of condensed milk for three hours. Coconut milk and coconut meat in general are great ingredients for making vegan pies. Use coconut milk for this Vegan Chocolate Banana Cream Pie.

Go Raw

Summer is an excellent time to eat more of a raw vegan diet since the heat will deter you from wanting to cook your food anyway. Without baking a thing, try making this Raw Lemon Meringue Pie and this Raw Strawberry Chocolate Coconut Pie.

Think Simple

If health is more of your concern when making a pie, think simply. You don’t have to make a crust or filling using dozens of ingredients. It’s easy to make tasty pie and dessert crusts and cups from nuts and binders like dates and raisins. In this Vegan Coconut Cream Lime Pie recipe, use hemp seeds and dates to make the crust. Use macadamia nuts, dry coconut, coconut oil and maple syrup for the crust of this Raw Strawberry Chocolate Coconut Pie. Use unsalted pistachios, agave nectar and a pinch of salt for this Coconut Lime Cream Pie.

Lead image source: Blueberry Pie with a Heart-Healthy Crust