Cinnamon flavored caramel marries an apple pie & takes up residency in a cute jar. Plant based, gluten & refined sugar free love for this apple pecan pie.
Is it apparent yet that I am slightly obsessed with pecans? First my uber creamy easy Vegan Pumpkin Pie with Pecan Crust last week, and now this cinnamon and caramel flavored apple pecan pie. At this point I think I'm turning into a pecan. Not really, but scarfing pecans sure isn't the key to losing all my baby weight! I've been making up for all these pies with extra runs, but still. That being said, it is the holidays after all. And this year, I am declaring pies as my main attraction...
Another obsession of mine: mason jars. I mean, what doesn't look cute in a mason jar?! Am I right?! Last year around this time, I brought to you my Pumpkin Caramel Pie in a Mason Jar. So this time, I'm going apple. But not just any apple, an apple pecan pie with a cinnamon caramel sauce to knock your socks off. I may or may not have burned my mouth giving it a try. Ok, not a try exactly, it may have been a spoonful. From the pot. Yes, the one it was cooking in. I know, not smart, but the smell took over my brain. At least what's left of it after I had my 3rd child...
The caramel sauce is not the only thing I may have "tried." That dry crumble isn't too shabby either. I may have had a few spoonfuls. I mean, can you resist the combination of pecans, oats, coconut sugar and buttery coconut butter? I dare you to try.
Now, I must warn you. This combination smothered in cinnamon flavored caramel can lead to hoarding. Hoarding of jars filled with warm cinnamony goodness. You could potentially growl at others if they try and take your jars. So I suggest making many of these. Don't say I didn't warn you...
Don't forget to get back to me on how many jars you devoured before realizing you were in the cinnamon caramel trance. Did you share? Did you hide them all as if apples were disappearing from the earth for good? Snap a pic and show me those cute little jars! Now, you can also make this in a baking dish, but cute jars are simply adorable 😉
Speaking of adorable, you know what else I love? Mini versions of big things. If you do too, then you MUST check out my friend Brandi's Apple Hand Pies. I mean, does it get any cuter than little pies?! Plus, you can eat more. Right?
Cinnamon Caramel Apple Pecan Pie
Ingredients
- 4 medium sized apples , peeled if desired and chopped (each apple is about 1 ½ cups chopped)
Dry topping:
- 1 ¾ cups oats , gluten free if needed
- 2 ¾ cups raw pecans
- 1 ¾ cups coconut sugar
- 1 ½ cup coconut butter , at room temperature
- ¾ teaspoon sea salt
Cinnamon Caramel Sauce:
- 1 ½ cups coconut sugar
- 1 ½ cups coconut cream (the top layer from about 2 cans full fat coconut milk, stored in refrigerator for 2-3 days or freezer for 2-3 hours)
- 1 tablespoon cinnamon
- 1 ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¾ teaspoon sea salt
Whipped topping:
- 3 cups coconut cream (the top layer from about 3 cansfull fat coconut milk, stored in refrigerator for 2-3 days or freezer for 2-3 hours)
- ¼ cup coconut sugar
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375 (190C)
- Put all dry topping ingredients, except coconut butter, into a food processor and pulse until chopped. Add coconut butter and pulse to combine.
- To make caramel, place all ingredients in a small pot. Whisk over medium heat until you get a rolling boil. Turn heat to medium low, then continue to whisk until slightly thickened, about 5 minutes. You do not want this too thick.
- Layer each jar as follows (these measurements are for the 16 ounce pint jars. Cut in half if using 8 ounce jelly jars. If using a 9 x 12 pan multiply each amount by 6 and layer in this order):
- • ⅓ cup dry topping• ½ cup chopped apples• 2 tablespoons cinnamon caramel• ⅓ cup dry topping• ½ cup chopped apples• ⅓ cup dry topping• 2 tablespoons cinnamon caramel*note, if your caramel has gotten too thick, you can also add a splash of dairy free milk on top of the caramel layer to thin it out as it bakes
- Bake jars/pan in 375F (190C) oven for 40 minutes. Make sure you use the water bath method if you aren't using jars that can withstand dry oven heat. All you do is place mason jars in a tall-sided roasting pan or baking dish and fill pan or dish with hot water. Then bake.
- While baking, remove can of coconut milk from refrigerator or freezer. Open and gently take off the top creamy layer leaving the watery liquid behind (you can save it for another use or throw away).
- Put the cream and sugar into a bowl and beat with hand or stand mixer until thick, light and whipped. I used my stand mixer and beat it for at least 5-7 minutes. If your cream is very cold, the outcome will be best.
- Once jars are ready, allow to cool and serve with whipped topping on top.
Notes
- To make these into smaller servings use twelve 8 ounce jelly jars. When layering, cut amount in each step by half.
- This can also be made in a 9 x 12 baking dish. The presentation won’t be as fun, but the taste will still be amazing!
- For the whipped topping, I got the best consistency when the can was very very cold. It will still work if not as cold, but it won’t get as fluffy and light.
- You may end up with a little extra of each layer, so feel free to “taste,” aka shove into your mouth by the spoonful, as you are putting these together.
- Tips to prep ahead: Make each layer in advance and store in the refrigerator. Take out the morning you are putting it together to allow them to return to room temperature before assembling.
- Baby/toddler food idea: Bake one pie jar with a mixture of apples, and dry topping minus the sugar and salt. Add a splash of dairy free milk into the jar to aid in baking the apples to a soft texture. Once done, allow to cool and puree for younger baby or feed as is to older baby.
Recipe by Veggies Don’t Bite, visit our site for more great plant-based recipes.
Nutrition
Nutrition and metric information should be considered an estimate.
Gunjan
Super tempting recipe. I love apples and I will definitely try this.
veggiesdontbite
Thank you! I love apples too!
Kathy Hester
I need this in my life this weekend. It's time to get into the kitchen and make it!
veggiesdontbite
Thank you Kathy!! Let me know if you try it!
Audrey @ Unconventional Baker
OMG, talk about a recipe I can't look away from -- this looks INSANELY GOOD, Sophia! Your pies in a jar never fail to wow!
veggiesdontbite
Thank you so much Audrey!! I love mason jars!! The recipe is pretty darn addicting too. Lol.
Marsha | Marsha's Baking Addiction
You know what I love about mason jars desserts? No sharing! 😉 These look absolutely delicious!
veggiesdontbite
Yes!! Lol. Thanks so much!
Dannii @ Hungry Healthy Happy
Oh wow! I really wouldn't be able to handle myself around these, as I would want to eat them all. They look incredible.
veggiesdontbite
Ha! Thank you! We definitely devoured them!
Chanelle
Wow. So fun. I need to make these. Love it. ?
veggiesdontbite
Thank you Chanelle! Let me know if you do!
Camilla
Love these pies, so original and pretty and great for autumn:-)
veggiesdontbite
Thank you Camilla! They are perfect for apple season!
veggiesdontbite
Thank you Camilla! They are perfect for apple season!
Leslie Rossi
WOW! These look great and super tasty. They would be a big hit in my house.
I also love your photos, really nice.
Leslie
http://www.alifewellconsumed.com
veggiesdontbite
Thanks so much Leslie! You're too kind! They are a huge hit here too. And by hit, I mean I need to hide them to even get one ?
Natalie | Feasting on Fruit
I love your pies in jars theme, just keep it going year after year please! The wonderful thing about desserts in jar is that they give off that no sharing required vibe. And nope definitely wouldn't share these! Crumble is so much better than crust, cooked apples are amazing, and the caramel is worth burning your mouth for! And with the perfect swirl of coconut whip on top you'd know right aways if anyone tried to sneak a bite 🙂 Love them Sophia!
veggiesdontbite
Thank you so much Natalie! You are too kind! I love your reasoning for jars, definitely not for sharing, LOL! I will continue to make these as often as I can. I love love jars so they aren't going anywhere. And the swirl of coconut is the perfect trap for those trying to sneak a bite 😉
The Vegan 8
Omg, I can totally see why you've needed extra runs, lol!! This is just so pretty and so festive and I of course, love every single ingredient!! I think it is so funny that both of our last 2 posts have been Pie-related and both were involving pumpkin, apples or cinnamon, LOL! Great minds think alike! Thanks for linking to my Apple Hand Pies! I would definitely hoard a whole jar of this too. That cinnamon caramel looks amazing!
veggiesdontbite
Ha!! Yes, too many pies! LOL It's so funny how in tune we are lately. Pumpkin, apples, LOADS of cinnamon. SO good right?! Thanks so much for your kind words and linking to my pumpkin pie. Off to drool over your pie too!
The Vegan 8
Yes, the more pies the better, although I admit I'm tired of pie now, lol! I'll just stick to cinnamon and apples haha!
veggiesdontbite
LOL! On to cookies!
Linda @ Veganosity
OMG! I want to make this right now. Those not only look delicious, the presentation is awesome.
veggiesdontbite
Thank you Linda!!! I just love love mason jars. I use them whenever I can!
Mandy
Oh this is heaven in a jar!!!!! Wow. If it weren't for the oats I'd be jumping into the kitchen now. Beautiful presentation, Sophia!!! I've been all about pecans and apples lately...just can't seem to get enough! ❤️
veggiesdontbite
Thank you so much Mandy! Can you not eat oats?? If not, you could try simply taking them out and adding more pecans, or even subbing with something like sorghum flour. I'm loving the cinnamon flavor in so much right now!!
Adrianne
This looks beautiful and delicious! Just in time for Thanksgiving, thank you!
veggiesdontbite
You are so welcome! Thank you so much for your kind words. It's so good, that cinnamon caramel is to die for. I actually did burn my tongue with my lack of patience for it to cool. LOL
Steffe
I would absolutely love this if I wasn't allergic to apples.. 🙁 I guess I could sub pears as it almost has the same texture and taste..
veggiesdontbite
Hi Steffe! You are the very first person I have ever heard is allergic to apples! So sorry, but I guess it isn't as hard to deal with as nuts or something along those lines. You could most definitely sub pears in this. Pears would be delicious! In fact, I think next time I make it, I'll try pears too! The one thing I would do, is perhaps cook it for less time. Pears may not need as long to cook. I would start checking around the 25 minute mark, but my guess is between 30-35 minutes. Let me know how it is by commenting here so others can see too!
Jenn
This is my kind of pie! So stinkin' easy! And OMG, that cinnamon caramel...to.die.for!
veggiesdontbite
Thanks Jenn! It is so easy to throw together! I knew you'd like the cinnamon caramel. LOL I literally burned my mouth because I couldn't stop eating it from the pan. Oops!