Ingredients
Shortbread Crust:
2 c. blanched almond flour
3 tbsp coconut oil, melted
2 Tbsp xylitol, powdered or coconut palm sugar
1/4 tsp xanthan gum
dash of salt
Pecan Filling
1 cup chopped pecans
1/4 cup maple syrup
1 1/2 Tbsp coconut butter
2 Tbsp coconut oil
1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
1/4 tsp maple extract, optional
1 tbsp flaxseed meal
1/2 tsp arrowroot starch (or tapioca starch)
1 tbsp nut milk
Sea salt for pecans
Preparation
To make crust, turn oven to 350F and line an 8x8" pan with parchment paper.
Mix crust ingredients in a medium sized bowl until combined.
Press into prepared pan and bake for 15 minutes or until the crust starts to turn brown. Remove from oven and allow to cool.
For the filling: In a small-medium sized pot, mix together the coconut oil, coconut butter, maple syrup and extracts.
Bring pot up to a boil and simmer for about 5 minutes, whisking it frequently. (The coconut oil and sweeteners will not mix very much as one is polar and the other is not. Don’t worry as the nut milk slurry will act as an emulsifier.)
Remove from heat and let cool to room temperature. (I stuck mine in the fridge for 10 - 15 minutes, giving it the occasional stir to prevent any coconut oil from hardening.)
Meanwhile, toast the pecans in a pan on medium heat for about 5 - 8 minutes or until they smell like roasted pecans, stirring frequently. Once toasted, remove from heat and sprinkle with salt.
In a small bowl, mix together the flaxseed meal, tapioca starch and nut milk. Let it sit for a few minutes.
Once the sugar-oil mixture is cooler, whisk in the nut milk mixture until combined and smooth.
Mix in the chopped pecans and mix until combined. Pour onto the cooled shortbread and distribute evenly.
Bake at 350F for about 20 minutes or until the filling begins to set and loses its shine. Remove from oven and place on cooling rack.
Before serving chill in the fridge for at least an hour - the colder they are, the easier they are to cut and serve!
