pie "crust" from flax meal?

[Kiddielee]

OK...I'm gonna be brave and expose just how little I know about baking...here goes:

Does anybody have a recipe for making a "crust" for a pumpkin pie or pumpkin cheese cake from flax meal?

I've read lots of recipes that call for all sorts of flours and stuff that we just don't have in the pantry. I do have flax meal though. Could that work?

I made a pumpkin pie last year without a crust and it was great, just kind of was thinking of trying something new this year. I read the A AAAwesome Pumpkin Cheesecake! and was thinking to give it a try since it gets such rave reviews. But, I don't like pecans at all and don't have almond flour (not a big fan of almonds either).

The only other ingredient in the crust is butter. I know I read on the side of the flax meal bag that there is so much oil in the meal that if you use it in a recipe they suggest cutting back on the oils (butter). It says 1-1/2 cups of flaxseed meal can replace a 1/2 cup of butter or cooking oil in a recipe. It also says if you do this whatever you're making can brown more rapidly.

So, I'm wondering, would it work to just press a layer of flax meal into a springform to make a "crust".

[CarolynF]

Here is an approximate crust..that I think would work..but I would pre-bake it and then
add the filling..and I would not take the crust to the top of the filling as it might burn
when you cook your filling..

1 1/4 cups flaxseed meal
3-4 Tbs. splenda
1 tsp. cinnamon
one extra large egg white, beaten until frothy
1 Tbs. melted butter

Mix this all up in a bowl..Then Pam your pie pan and spread this mixture on the bottom
and slightly up the sides..(not to the top of the rim)..Bake for 10 minutes at 325 until
crust is set..Then add filling and bake.

Note: These are approximate directions..if you like it spicer, add more cinnamon..or sweeter, add more Splenda..or less..But, after you add the egg, it should look stick together. Good luck..

[bybs54]

Here's my crust....just got done making two of these and two regular ones....
I know you asked for flax....but....

Pumpkin Pie YUMMY!!!!! 2003

Crust:

1 1/2 cups chopped pecans 7.60
3 tbsp butter .03
1 T+ of SF vanilla DaVinchi 0

Grind or chop nuts into crunchy mix….not too fine…but really small pieces.
Melt the butter and then mix it into the SF syrup and chopped pecans. Lightly spray the bottom of pie pan with PAM. Press the mixture into a 9 inch pie pan. I pressed it into the bottom and as far up the sides as I could.

Bake the crust in a 350 degrees oven for about 8-9 minutes. Set aside to cool.

Pie filling: (This makes about 1 1/2 pies in a 9 inch pie pan)

1 1/2 cup pumpkin 12
3 eggs 1.8 I USED 2 JUMBO
3/4 cup Da Vinchi vanilla SF Syrup 0
1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp cinnamon .6
1 3/4 tsp pumpkin pie spice .15
3/4 cup heavy cream 4.98

Mix all ingredients together. Pour into crust or well sprayed pie pan and cook at 350 till done about 45 min or till a toothpick or knife comes out clear from the center

by itself…no crust then it is with 8 pieces – 2.5 carbs each

If with crust then…..with 8 pieces, each = 3.4 carbs
(versus regular Libby’s pumpkin pie mix w/reg crust = 36 carbs each piece!!)

[Kiddielee]

Originally Posted by CarolynF

Here is an approximate crust...

THANKS Carolyn for the recipe! When you say "approximate" is that 'cuz you're one of those who "throws something together" and it comes out amazing? See, I'm one of those who follows a recipe to the "T" and it is sometimes edible. OK, not that bad, but you get the picture. I want to try your recipe, but do you think this would work with a springform pan and a cheesecake? It sounds like you're referring to a regular pie plate. I just got a new "Pampered Chef" glass bottom springform that I'm going to use AND I've NEVER used a springform before so this is all new to me. Would you still prebake etc.?

Thanks again.

Patti - I'm sure someone will try your recipe and love it. I don't like pecans so I won't be trying it. But I am interested in how you used a bit of DaVinci syrup in yours. What did it replace from a "normal" recipe? Did you use it to replace granulated sugar? Same with your pie filling? Are you using equal measurements of the syrup to replace granulated sugar? For instance, did the original recipe call for 3/4 Cup sugar and you replaced it with 3/4 cup DaVinci? I'm trying to learn about subbing other sweetners for sugar and get away from granular Splenda too. I'd appreciate any info you've got on this.

Thanks to both of you!

[bybs54]

Originally Posted by Kiddielee

Patti - I am interested in how you used a bit of DaVinci syrup in yours. What did it replace from a "normal" recipe? Did you use it to replace granulated sugar? Same with your pie filling? Are you using equal measurements of the syrup to replace granulated sugar? For instance, did the original recipe call for 3/4 Cup sugar and you replaced it with 3/4 cup DaVinci? I'm trying to learn about subbing other sweeteners for sugar and get away from granular Splenda too. I'd appreciate any info you've got on this.

As far as the crust that was just a hit or miss and tasting it until it tasted good.
For the pie...I just looked at the Libby's recipe on the can and it calls for 3/4 cup of sugar so that's what I used for the pie in syrup....again tasting it....I used pumpkin pie spice instead of cloves and nutmeg etc.
I am a big proponent of tasting before cooking...so taste the batter or whatever....remember sweetness tends to 'cook out' so I always make sure its sweet enough for me before cooking. And always mix your sweetners....the good folks on this site told me that and it works!! I usually try to use at least 3 different sweeteners.

Have a good one!

[CarolynF]

Kit: If you were doing this in a springform pan, it would work beautifully..and yes,
I would definitely pre-bake it until because you want the egg to cook and hold the
crust together..Just 10 minutes will do it..

For the cheesecake crust, cut down on the flaxseed meal to 1 cup because you won't
need as much..You really can't mess this (honestly) unless you don't get it sweet enough or if it is too sweet..One cup with one egg white should do it..plus splenda
and cinnamon..DON'T FORGET TO PAM YOUR PAN...

If you are still nervous..make just the crust..then taste it..and do the final one adding
the filling..

[Kiddielee]

Originally Posted by CarolynF

...For the cheesecake crust, cut down on the flaxseed meal to 1 cup because you won't need as much..You really can't mess this (honestly) unless you don't get it sweet enough or if it is too sweet..One cup with one egg white should do it..plus splenda
and cinnamon..DON'T FORGET TO PAM YOUR PAN...

Carolyn - I just wanted to thank you again for the Flaxmeal Crust recipe. I worked GREAT!! And you were right about not being able to mess it up. I missed the instruction to cut down to 1 Cup of flaxmeal for a cheesecake crust and it still turned out good. In fact, I think I needed the extra 'cuz the recipe just barely covered the bottom of my 9-inch springform. Luckily mine is glass and I could see where I needed to smudge more over to where it was almost see through!

I think that's important to note. I made Wendy'sSmiling no bake pumpkin cheesecake and there's no mention of what size pan to use. Our cheesecake looked more like a torte! It was about and inch thick...but very yummy! I think the original must have been made in a smaller pan. Live and learn. I just wanted to get the info out on this board so if someone searches and finds it, they'll know what I learned.

Back to the crust...Carolyn - everybody (carbers and LCers alike) loved the cheesecake. The crust worked great. It was easy to cut (not soggy) and completely held together just like a graham cracker crust. There were no problems cutting or serving it. I made another and it has held up for several days in the fridge with the leftovers as well. And best of all FOR ME, it doesn't taste like nuts of any kind!

Thanks SO much!

[CarolynF]

Kit: Thanks for the thanks..I knew you could do it, girl!!! Next time you can make this in a regular pie pan..Bake it and cool it and add some sf pudding/pie mix for a quick
dessert..The cinnamon does make it taste like graham crackers, doesn't it??? And, it's
very healthy..

[Kiddielee]

Originally Posted by CarolynF

And, it's very healthy..

You know I was thinking that same thing, but "pie crust" and "healthy" in the same breath sounded a bit too crazy to even say. But, I agree and am glad YOU said it!

[binki]

Ooh, I have one that I use for cheesecake all the time. I'm not sure it'd go up the sides of a pan, but it might.

Anyway, it's crazy easy:
heat oven to 375
melt 6T of butter (can use coconut oil for part of this)
grind 6T of flaxseeds to end up with 3/4 cup of flaxmeal, put in bowl
add 3/4 cup of almond meal to flaxmeal
add a pinch of salt and a bit of sweetener (I use about 1/4 cup sugar equivalent)
Mix it all together and press into springform pan. Bake 7 or 8 minutes. Voila!

[Brendajm]

these crust ideas sound great, thanks for posting them.