The Best Vegan Cornbread Stuffing

0 Make the cornbread one day before making the stuffing. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees(F).
1 In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, cornmeal, baking powder, baking soda, sugar and salt. Set aside.
2 In a small bowl, whisk together the flax meal and water. Let it sit for 2-4 minutes or until it thickens up. This makes a flax egg.
3 Make a well in the center of the dry ingredients then pour the non-dairy milk, oil, maple syrup and flax egg you made into well. 
4 Whisk to thoroughly combine. Making sure there are no lumps of flour left. 
5 Pour the cornbread into a 13x9 inch baking dish that is lined with parchment paper. 
6 Bake for 20-25 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean from the center of the cornbread and it is golden brown. Let cool overnight.
7 The next day, preheat the oven to 300 degrees(F).
8 Cut or tear the cornbread into cubes or small chunks. Spread the cornbread out evenly on a large sheet pan and toast in the oven for 10-15 minutes. Or until the cornbread feels firm and a bit crunchy.
10 Increase the oven temperature to 375 degrees(F).
9 Now start the stuffing. Heat the vegan butter in a large pot on medium. 
11 Once the butter has melted, add the shallots, celery and carrots. Season with a pinch of salt and pepper. Sauté, reducing heat as needed, until the shallots are translucent. About 3-4 minutes. 
12 Add the crumbled sausage and continue to sauté everything until the sausage is brown. About 3-4 more minutes. 
13 Now add the thyme, sage and pear. Sauté for another 1-2 minutes. 
14 Pour the vegetable broth into the pot, as well as another pinch of salt and pepper. Stir and then bring to a simmer. 
15 Reduce heat to low and the pour the toasted cornbread and pecans into the pot. Stir to fully combine everything. Making sure the cornbread absorbs all the broth. 
16 Turn off the heat. Then taste and adjust seasoning. It tends to be on the sweet side, so I like to add a bit more salt. 
17 Pour the stuffing into the pan you used to make the cornbread. Spread out evenly. Then bake at 375 degrees for 20-25 minutes. 
18 Serve immediately. This can all be prepped ahead of time and baked right when you are about to served!