Roasted Pecan Pie (Egg & Corn Syrup Free)

This simple vegan pecan pie recipe was born out of a foraging adventure in Atlanta, Georgia. As one of few major cities in the United States where people typically have anywhere between 2-3 nut and fruit trees in their backyards–a blessing and a curse — Atlanta offers fresh, raw pecans as one of many fall delicacies available for handpicking. For those that appreciate bold flavors and crunchy desserts, this is the perfect recipe to try this holiday season.

Come fall, the streets, yards, parks and gardens of Georgia become covered in a variety of nuts and fruits, giving way to many a squirrel feast and bird luncheon. For those who want to avoid the chore of cleaning up fallen (and unusable) fruits and nuts, baking a pie is a simple and delicious solution!

Shelling pecans is a peaceful practice and is most enjoyable when you have the right tools. Because I did not have a nutcracker, my biggest challenge was obtaining whole pecans for garnishing. Although not an easy task, the taste of freshly shelled pecans was worth the effort. 

For vegan and poultry-free readers, this recipe is not only egg free, it also omits corn syrup, making it perfect for all those looking to use less processed items or wanting to avoid dairy sensitivity.

While homemade pie dough looks beautiful, it is absolutely acceptable to buy yours. Most supermarkets carry it in the freezers and many offer vegan options as well. Be sure to check the ingredients of popular brands as well since some may use vegetable butters instead of dairy ones. Enjoy this pie with your friends and family as you celebrate the final remnants of fall.