A delicious twist on apple pie, this scrumptious treat brings three fall flavors - apples, caramel dip, and pecans - together in one amazing and naturally sweetened pie.  You can make this Nut Free by leaving out the nuts entirely in the caramel dip and omitting the pecans.

I love apples.  I love pecans.  I love caramel.  And I love all three of those together. That’s what I’ve done in this totally fall-flavored Vegan and Sugar Free Apple Caramel Pecan Pie.  It’s also Gluten Free and Dairy Free. 

And guess what?  If you want to make it Nut Free, you can!  Just don’t include the pine nuts in the Sugar Free Caramel Dip and leave out the pecans on top of the pie.  It will be just like getting a Caramel Apple at a fall fair… but hold the nuts!

Either way, nuts or no nuts, this Sugar Free Apple Caramel Pecan Pie is a winner.  The warm cinnamon kissed apples mixed on top of the creamy caramel dip with the crunch of toasted pecans…. Absolutely delicious.

 It gets its sweetness naturally from the dates in the Caramel Dip and the caramelized apples.  There’s no need to add any more sweetener.  This pie is actually one of the sweetest desserts that I make.  If you have guests that aren’t used to eating Sugar Free and might not be open to the idea, this would be the perfect dessert for them, because it’s very sweet just the way it is.

Where did the inspiration come from?  The obvious guess would be caramel apples.  But frankly, I’ve never been a fan.  They were so difficult to eat, and the ratio of caramel to apple was too low.  I mean, by the time you chew off all the caramel, you’re just left with… an apple on a stick. 

I love this pie because every bite of apple gets caramel dip with it, and the caramel is soft and sweet without being sticky. 

One note:  You’ll notice that I cook the apples on the stove first BEFORE putting them in the pie.  Why?  Because we want the apples to get caramelized, but without added sugar, that’s just not going to happen on their own in the oven.  So just 5-10 minutes in a large pan on the stove helps to caramelize the apples and bring out their natural sweetness. 

It might seem like a lot of recipes to pull together, but the only one you need to plan ahead for is the Sugar Free Caramel Dip, and that’s just because you need to soak the dates.  If you want to make this in one day, soak the dates first thing when you wake up, and then they’re ready by mid-morning (if you’re an early riser).  Or soak them overnight. 

Then, while the Gluten Free Pie Crust is blind baking in the oven, you can cook the apples and make the Sugar Free Caramel Dip.  Then, assemble the pie and slide it back in the oven to bake for another 20 minutes to make everything gooey and delicious.  As soon as the pie comes out of the oven, sprinkle the toasted pecans on top.

Serve warm with a spoonful of Coconut Whipped Cream on top or Sugar Free Vegan Vanilla Ice Cream.  Divine.  It’s also fantastic the next day cold or quickly heated up in the microwave for a super comforting breakfast.  Eat and enjoy!

Why You’ll LOVE this Recipe:

• Completely Sugar Free
• Vegan
• Gluten Free
• Dairy Free
• Amazing Fall Flavor

Ingredients for Sugar Free Apple Caramel Pecan Pie:

• Best Gluten Free Pie Crust
• apples
• Earth Balance Vegan Buttery Sticks
• cinnamon
• salt
• Sugar Free Caramel Dip
• Pecans

Notes on Ingredients:

Best Gluten Free Pie Crust – Please follow the instructions for my Best Gluten Free Pie Crust.  You can make this the day ahead if you want to streamline the process of pulling together the Apple Caramel Pecan Pie.

Apples – I used Gala, and I would recommend using any red apple on the sweeter side.  I know bakers swear by Granny Smith apples for baking, and that was honestly the only apple my mother would buy when I was growing up (so I have nothing against them), but without any added sugar, they’re too tart.  Use a good, naturally sweet apple like Gala or Honeycrisp or Pink Lady or whatever you can find locally.

Earth Balance Vegan Buttery Sticks  - Cooking the apples in shortening that tastes like butter is a classic combination, and it helps to caramelize the apples before they go into the oven.  The shortening also helps to keep the apples moist while baking in the pie in the oven.

Cinnamon – An absolute must for an apple pie.

Salt – For flavor, always.

Sugar Free Caramel Dip – Please follow the instructions for my Sugar Free Caramel Dip here.

Pecans – Toasted pecans on top of the pie add an amazing flavor and texture contrast.  Please be sure to toast them prior to chopping them, so that they lose any bitterness.

How to Make Sugar Free Apple Caramel Pecan Pie From Scratch

First things first, make sure you soak the dates at least 3 hours ahead of time so that you can make the Sugar Free Caramel Dip. 

Once the dates are soaked, then you’re ready to get going.

First, make the Best Gluten Free Pie Crust.  While it is blind baking in the oven, make the Sugar Free Caramel Dip.  Set it aside.

Now, in a large pan on high heat, melt the Earth Balance Vegan Buttery Sticks.  Add the apple slices to the pan and stir to coat completely with the melted Earth Balance Vegan Buttery Sticks.

Add the cinnamon and a pinch of salt.  Cook the apples until soft but not falling apart.

Get ready to assemble the pie.

Preheat the oven to 400 F.

Spread the Sugar Free Caramel Dip on the bottom of the Best Gluten Free Pie Crust.  Pile the apples on top of the Sugar Free Caramel Dip.

Bake the pie for 20 minutes.  Remove the pie from the oven and sprinkle the chopped pecans on top.  Serve warm with Coconut Whipped Cream or vanilla ice cream on top.  The pie will keep in the refrigerator for about 3 days.

More Sugar Free Pie Recipes:

• Peach Pie
• Paleo Strawberry Panna Cotta Pie
• Best Gluten Free Pie Crust
• Paleo Pie Crust - Low Cholesterol