Passion fruit summer pie

If you’ve ever seen me freak out about passion fruit anything on the Internet, you know the obsession is real. This rare and expensive tropical fruit is in the upper echelon of fruits. It’s sour, sweet, fragrant, and just magical. I’m satisfied just smelling them over and over…and you know how much I like to smell things! I had to check a passion fruit dessert off my wish list. This slice of heaven is it, and it puts the fruit at the forefront. No passion fruit, no problem. Swapping passion fruit for something like mango or even dragon fruit would be cool (you can buy them in the frozen aisle!). If using one of those swaps, I would add some lime or lemon juice to tart it up.

INGREDIENTS

NO-BAKE GRAHAM CRUST
9 sheets (18 squares) vegan graham crackers 1⁄2 tsp sea salt
1⁄3 cup melted vegan butter

PASSION FRUIT CURD
1⁄2 cup water
1 Tbsp agar flakes or 1 tsp agar powder 11⁄4 cups canned coconut cream (some liquid is fine)
1 cup passion fruit, including seeds
(7 or 8 passion fruits)
1⁄4 cup granulated sugar

TOPPINGS
Store-bought coconut whipped topping Mint leaves, for garnish

DIRECTIONS

To make the crust, in a food processor, pulse the graham crackers and sea salt into a fine crumb. Add the melted butter and pulse again until it comes together and looks like wet sand. Press evenly into a 91⁄2-inch fluted pie pan. You will have enough to go at least three-quarters of the way up the sides of the pan. Refrigerate the crust while you make the rest of the recipe.

To make the curd, in a small saucepan over medium-low heat, whisk together the water and agar. Simmer for 5 to 6 minutes, until dissolved. You shouldn’t see any flecks of agar in the liquid if using flakes, and the liquid will have reduced and thickened slightly.

At the same time, in a large saucepan over medium heat, whisk together the coconut cream, passion fruit, and sugar constantly for 2 to 3 minutes, until it just starts to bubble and is warmed through.

Add the dissolved agar to this and whisk until well combined, about another 2 minutes. Transfer the mixture to a heat-safe glass bowl. Whisk it constantly to cool it down and prevent it from setting too much. It cannot be added to your chilled crust until it’s tepid in temperature. Constantly stirring will help cool it quicker and prevent the agar from setting.

Once the mixture has cooled to about room temperature and with no steam present, pour it into the crust and refrigerate for at least 3 hours, until chilled and set.

To serve, top with a pile of the coconut whipped topping and garnish with the mint leaves. This is best eaten on the day it’s made. I would consume it within 2 days max, otherwise the crust gets a little soggy.

MAKES MAKES ONE 91⁄2-INCH PIE (12 SLICES) | PREP TIME 35 MINS, COOK TIME 10 MINS