Autumn = apple pie (or gluten-free apple hemp breakfast tart!)

Dessert for breakfast - my favorite! My sweet tooth is always strongest first thing in the morning.  It could be the low blood sugar after a long night's fast, a lag in my circadian rhythm while tryptophan metabolism switches to preferentially producing serotonin (or feel-good chemical) instead of melatonin (our sleep-deep chemical), or maybe I just like dessert and when I eat it in the morning, I know I can balance out the sugar and calories with more activity throughout the day.

This is surprisingly easy to make if you put your Cuisinart to use!

Nutritional kudos:  vegan, rich in good fats and protein (from the nuts & coconut oil), provides a serving of high-fiber, low glycemic-index fruit, omega-3s from the hemp seeds.



Make a crust
In the bowl of the food processor, put about 1 cup of almonds, cashews, macadamias or a mix.  Chop for 30 seconds.  Add 2 spoonfuls of coconut oil, 1 spoonful sweetener (maple syrup, honey, non-GMO, fair trade raw sugar are our favorite choices), and a smaller spoonful of vanilla extract.  Pulse the mixer to make it dough-like. Add more nuts or more liquids as needed.  Pat it into a greased pan with a removable bottom.

Make the filling
Without bothering to clean out the food processor, switch the blade to the thin slicer.  Core the apples and push them through the slicer into the bowl with the crust residue.  Add another spoonful of oil & sweetener, maybe a smaller spoonful of cinnamon.  Pack the apple slices firmly into the crust, filling the tart pan to the very top.  Sprinkle generously with hemp seeds (or save a bit fo the nut crust and sprinkle that on top).

Bake at 375 or more if you are in a hurry (cover with foil so you don't burn the top if you are using higher temperatures).  Cook until it smells delicious and the apples are to the texture you like (I like them really soft - about 45 minutes).

Serve by itself or in a bowl with vanilla hemp milk or with Coconut Bliss "ice cream."  Easily keeps in the refrigerator for a few days, providing breakfast for dessert all week!