Valentine’s Day Treats

Category : Food & Beverages, Recipes

I love Valentine’s Day.  It’s not that I’m crazy about making a huge deal over it with Eric and I, but I love all the hearts, red and pink, etc.  I love making treats for friends and family.  It’s like having a second chance to show your love to them after Christmas, Hanukkah, etc.  That’s such a busy time of year and although I often want to do more for people I run out of time.  Luckily Valentine’s Day always comes so quickly and I get to make up for it then.  This year I’ve had fun making heart shaped blueberry muffins, chocolate mint cupcakes and mini cheesecakes! 

The cupcakes are of course from Vegan Cupcakes Take Over The World, the blueberry cupcakes are from an old non vegan muffin book where I simply substitued with egg replacer and coconut milk and the cheesecakes were from VegCooking.   The only thing I did differently was I also added a little lemon zest and I skipped pie filling on top and garnished with fresh kiwis.

This was my first attempt at vegan cheesecake and I must say it was fabulous!!  I made them for Eric’s birthday since it’s really the only sweet thing he’ll eat.  I will tell you that you must be patient and allow them to cool over night.  I didn’t make them until his actual birthday so since we were stranded on vacation with the storm so I didn’t have time to allow them to set enough.  It was still delicious but the consistency was far better the next day.  The only thing I wasn’t happy about was the crust was a bit gooey.  I’m not sure if my spring form pans allowed the water to leak in a bit or if it has to do with the recipe.  I have always baked my cheesecakes in a water bath but maybe next time I’ll try skipping that to see if the crust turns out crunchier.

Over all, I’d highly suggest this very simple recipe for those of you who are missing cheesecake from your pre-vegan days :)

 

Super-Charge Me! Cookies

Category : Food & Beverages

Cookies

Last night I FINALLY got around to trying out a cookie receipe I’ve been wanting to make since April – I really shouldn’t have waited so long because they’re fabulous!!!  The best part is that they’re not really that bad for you!  I found them on Vive Le Vegan Recipesfrom Dreena, the author of eat, drink & be vegan(purchase it on Amazon).  I know the word vegan can be a out there for some, but since these cookies are vegan and thus don’t contain dairy or eggs they are less of a burden on the environment.  So, don’t be scared off by them – the ingredients are basic ones that you most likely already have (with the exception of flax meal) so give them a try!

I’m posting the ingredients below so you can see what is in them but asking that you go to Dreena’s blogto get the full instructions so she gets the proper credit :)   If you’re interested in learning more about vegan cooking I highly suggest you check our her site, try her recipes and maybe even purchase her cookbook!  Thank you Dreena for the FABULOUSLY DELICIOUS cookies!  I’ll be making these often!  I needed something to go in my vintage cookie jar that was my grandmother’s and these are perfect :)

quick oats
spelt flour - I used whole wheat flour (using spelt flour would make them gluten free)
sea salt
tsp cinnamon
unsweetened shredded coconut
cup raisins or chopped dried fruit
carob or chocolate chips (optional; or use more dried fruit, nuts, or seeds)
baking powder
flax meal (not flax seed) - Bob’s Red Mill packages this or I got mine in the bulk isle at Whole Foods Market
pure maple syrup
almond butter (may use cashew, peanut, hemp seed butter) - I used peanut butter
pure vanilla extract
organic canola oil

Chocolate & Vanilla Cupcakes

Category : Food & Beverages

Vegan Cup Cakes

Vegan Cup Cakes - Memorial Day Weekend & Oh So Festive in Patriotic Colors!

So I dove into my Vegan Cupcakes Take Over The Worldcookbook and whipped up some very delicious cup cakes.  I began with the first two recipes – basic chocolate and basic golden vanilla – they’re both outstanding with buttercream frosting.  YUM!!!

prior to frosting them

prior to frosting them

They’re vegan but don’t require any crazy ingredients which is great.   To give you an idea of the simplistic difference – the recipes call for Earth Balance vegan margarine, apple cider vinegar and soy milk – everything else will be stuff that ANYONE would already have on hand for baking.  I will DEFINITELY be trying more of the recipes ASAP.

Click the cover to go to the book's blog

Click the cover to go to the book's blog

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