Pumpkin Coconut Tart- The healthier weight consious cousin of the Pumpkin Pie

Happy Happy Friday!
9 Mile run on the agenda today.
Kind of excited to be honest... I really like my friday runs.
Time to destress from the week and unwind.

My last run was Wednesday 3 miles, and my last workout was Wednesday night Body Pump.  I went up in all of my weights which was pretty exciting.  Wednesday night Body Pump has also given me a new appreciation for 80s jams.  Thanks Ray!  Will have a playlist coming shortly for you all.

But because it's Friday, and I was something fun, (FUN FUN FRIDAY- maybe I will make this a new trend) I am going to share a delicious recipe with you.

A guiltless (sorta) pumpkin pie.

Every time I open the fridge, an opened can of Pumpkin stared back at me.  I opened up a can of Pumpkin for a pumpkin protein smoothie, and threw the rest in the fridge to worry about a later day.

I was going to make Olive some pumpkin biscuits (Pumpkin is great for dogs with tummy issues)  but I was feeling selfish and wanted some pumpkin pie.  

Sorry girl.  

Next time. 

Your typical pumpkin pie can have a block of cream cheese, a cup of sugar, half a stick of butter, and a cup of half and half.  Don't believe me?   Check out Paula Deen's pumpkin pie recipe

Okay Okay, so a PD recipe is a little extreme, but I wanted to make a point. 

And get your attention.

Did I do it?

Well today I want to show you 

How you can make your cake Pie ... 

and eat it too. 

I present to you....   

Pumpkin Coconut Tart

Full Recipe from Eating Well Here 

What is a tart?  I don't know I am not a baker, 

but it looks like a pie to me. 

All I know is it tastes realllly good. 

INGREDIENTS

CRUST

• 1 1/4 cups white whole-wheat flour, (see Ingredient Note)
• 1/2 cup slivered almonds, toasted (see Tip)
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 4 tablespoons cold unsalted butter, cut into small pieces
• 4 tablespoons cold reduced-fat cream cheese, (Neufchâtel)

FILLING

• 1 1/2 cups canned unseasoned pumpkin puree
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 2 tablespoons dark rum
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
• 3 large eggs
• 1 cup “lite” coconut milk

GARNISH

• 1/3 cup unsweetened coconut chips, (see Ingredient Note) or flaked coconut, toasted (optional)

PREPARATION

1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Coat an 11-inch round or 8-by-12-inch rectangular removable-bottom tart pan with cooking spray.
2. To prepare crust: Combine flour, almonds, 1 tablespoon sugar and salt in a food processor; process until the almonds are finely ground. Add butter one piece at a time, and then cream cheese by the tablespoonful, pulsing once or twice after each addition, until incorporated. Turn the dough out into the prepared pan (it will be crumbly), spread evenly and press firmly into the bottom and all the way up the sides to form a crust.
3. Bake the crust until set but not browned, about 15 minutes. Let cool on a wire rack.
4. To prepare filling: Beat pumpkin, 3/4 cup sugar, rum, cinnamon, ginger and cloves in a large bowl with an electric mixer on low speed until blended. Beat in eggs, one at a time, until combined. Beat in coconut milk. Place the tart pan on a baking sheet and pour in the filling.
5. Bake the tart until the filling is just set (the center may still appear soft, but will become more solid as it cools), 45 to 50 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack and let cool to room temperature. Serve room temperature or refrigerate until chilled. Remove the pan sides before slicing. Garnish with coconut, if desired.

TIPS & NOTES

• Make Ahead Tip: Prepare the crust (Step 2), wrap tightly and refrigerate for up to 3 days. Cover and refrigerate the cooled tart for up to 1 day. | Equipment: 11-inch round or 8-by-12-inch rectangular removable-bottom pan

• Ingredient note: White whole-wheat flour, made from a special variety of white wheat, is light in color and flavor but has the same nutritional properties as regular whole-wheat flour. Available in large supermarkets and in natural-foods stores. Store in the freezer.
• Tip: Place slivered almonds in a small dry skillet and cook over medium-low heat, stirring constantly, until fragrant and lightly browned, 2 to 4 minutes.
• Ingredient note: Large thin flakes of dried coconut called coconut chips make attractive garnishes. Find them in the produce section of large supermarkets or at melissas.com.

NUTRITION

Per serving: 260 calories; 12 g fat ( 6 g sat , 3 g mono ); 80 mg cholesterol; 33 g carbohydrates; 6 g protein;3 g fiber; 168 mg sodium; 163 mg potassium.