Now, I am not vegan, but I'm always willing to try something new!

Depending upon the filling, vegan pies and tarts are a lot easier to prepare than other baked goods, which may require butter, milk, and eggs. And yes, there are some great alternatives, but it's even easier when those ingredients aren't even needed. A simple vegan pie or tart dough can be created from flour, powdered sugar, water, and vegan butter. No eggs or milk required. 

In the gluten free world, I've learned that wheat can be lurking inside many unexpected ingredients. This is mostly because wheat is commonly used as a thickener. The same can be true for vegan dishes. One such ingredient you might not think about is sugar. When sugar cane is processed, bone-char is used to help achieve the white color. The same is true for brown sugar, which is made from white sugar. When creating vegan dishes, be careful with the type of sugar used. Bone-char is not used in certified organic sugar. Otherwise, it needs to say "unrefined" or be made from sugar beets in order to be vegan-friendly. Coconut sugar is also vegan-friendly. 

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Berry Tart Tips

• Chill the dough
• Do not overmix the dough
• The more you touch, the more your warm hands will melt the butter
• Brush berries with apricot jelly for added shine.

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Ingredients in Vegan Berry Tart

• Fresh Berries
• Vegan Butter
• Gluten Free Flour Blend
• Powdered Sugar (organic)
• Cashews
• Vegan Cream Cheese
• Coconut Oil
• Vanilla
• Dairy-Free Cream

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What is cashew cream?

Cashew cream is a thickened vegan sauce that can serve as the base for many different dishes. By soaking cashews and then blending with a few other ingredients, It can help to replace cream cheese, sour cream, and much more!

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Tart vs. Pie

While they do possess a number of similarities, tarts and pies are not the same thing. Tarts have a thicker, crumbly crust; while pies have a thin, smooth crust. Pies can also have a top layer of crust. Tarts are more delicate and are often taken out of the dish they were baked in.

When are berries in season?

Blackberries: June through September

Blueberries: June through July

Boysenberries: May through July

Raspberries: June through November

Strawberries: March through November

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