Holiday Gifts Part 6 - Vegan Baking

It's obvious, with 18 pounds of butter in my refrigerator and my penchant for buttercream frosting, I'm nowhere near a vegan. With my hatred of most things green, I'm not even close to being vegetarian. But vegan baking intrigues me. I find myself looking at more and more recipes and books about vegan baking. I don't think it's the lack of my beloved butter and eggs that makes me curious. I think its the recipes themselves. Vegans are much more experimental with flavors than traditional bakers. I've never seen a traditional baking book with a recipe for Wasabi and Chocolate Cupcakes. While I may never be a vegan myself, I'll definitely be keeping an eye out for some great vegan recipes. So whether you're a vegan or not, check out some of these books. You might be surprised by what you find inside.


Vegan Cookies Invade Your Cookie Jar
By Isa Chandra Moskowitz and Terry Hope Romero
ISBN: 9781600940484
List Price: $17.95
Format: Paperback
Published by Da Capo Press in Nov 2009

From the authors of Vegan Cupcakes Take Over the World comes a book all about my second favorite treat—cookies! Written with the same sarcastic, snarky wit as Vegan Cupcakes, Vegan Cookies Invade Your Cookie Jar is a fun little book packed with some delicious recipes. I’ve been dying to try out the Mexican Hot Chocolate Snickerdoodles. Although some of the recipes call for ingredients not commonly used in traditional baking, such as agar agar flakes, there are quite a few recipes that only require non-dairy milk for those who aren’t so familiar with vegan baking (like me).


100 Best Vegan Baking Recipes
By Kris Holechek
ISBN: 9781569757147
List Price: $12.95
Format: Paperback
Published by Ulysses Press in Sept 2009

Although there are no pictures to display the tasty treats, the recipes featured make up for it. From cookies and brownies, muffins and quick breads, to cake, cheesecake, pies, and cream puffs, there are some great ideas for every vegan (and non-vegan) baker. Each recipe is rated for difficulty, and with a section on kid-friendly vegan baking, no one is left out! There’s even a section on how to stock your vegan pantry, for those who are just starting out.


Vegan Scoop
By Wheeler del Torro
ISBN: 9781592333929
List Price: $19.99
Format: Paperback
Published by Fair Winds Press in June 2009

Who says you can’t have all the good stuff as a vegan? Just because you don’t use animal products doesn’t mean you can’t have ice cream! With The Vegan Scoop, you can enjoy over 100 different flavors! From classics like Chocolate, Vanilla, and Rocky Road to not so traditional flavors like Wasabi, Seaweed, and Vanilla Chile Pepper (which has jalapenos!) to Aphrodisiacal flavors like Cardamom Rose, Fresh Mint Lime, or Champagne Sorbet to set the mood, you’ll have a hard time deciding which flavor to try first! With mouthwatering pictures, these recipes are hard to resist. And with 1/3 fewer calories than regular ice cream, go ahead. Give in to temptation.


Babycakes
By Erin McKenna
ISBN: 9780307408839
List Price: $24.00
Format: Hardcover
Published by Crown Publishing Group in May 2009

From the famed New York Bakery comes a collection of dessert recipes sure to make you drool. Whether you’re looking for vegan, gluten free, or sugar free recipes, Babycakes has them all. Who can resist something called the Triple Chocolate Fat Pants Cake—brownies, cookies, and frosting all in one delicious dessert? Especially when it’s both vegan and gluten free! Throughout the book there are praises for Babycakes called “Love from the Fan Club”—quotes from celebrities who frequent the bakery. If you’re not a regular vegan baker, I suggest perusing through the ingredient list to get an idea of what you’ll be using, because if you’re anything like me, those recipes might look a little intimidating.


My Sweet Vegan
By Hannah Kaminsky
ISBN: 9780979128615
List Price: $22.95
Format: Paperback
Published by Fleming Marrs Inc in Dec 2007

Written by the author of the blog Bittersweet, My Sweet Vegan is a collection of delicious vegan desserts. Filled with the same beautiful pictures you’ll find on Bittersweet, you’ll be drooling over recipes like Chocolate Covered Peanut Butter Scones and the Orange Dreamsicle Snack Cake. There’s even a recipe for your furry friend—the Canine Cake! Baking for someone with a food allergy? The index in the back of the book tells you which recipes are not only vegan but free from gluten, wheat, peanuts, tree nuts, and soy. And for even more delicious recipes, and some super cute knitted and crocheted designs, check out Bittersweet!