Valentine’s Dayis just a few days away, butit’s not too late to make festive, luscious chocolate desserts – that just happen to be vegan. These aredesserts that work for everyone, fromthe ethical vegans, tothe millions of peoplewith dietary restrictions, too, such aslactose intoleranceandegg allergies. Vegandesserts are pareve and cholesterol-freetoo.But the proof is in the deliciousness of the desserts, and I’ve got you covered with this list.
Ihavea Valentine gift for tworeaders!Let me know which desserts you’ll be making for Valentine’s Day, and enter for a chance to win a signed copy ofVegan Chocolate:Unapologetically Luscious and Decadent Dairy-Free Desserts.U.S. residents only, please. I would really love to know what you are making for dessert,even if it is chocolate ontoast. Follow the instructions at the bottom of the postto enter. Contest ends at midnight eastern time on February 16th. Good luck!
9 Vegan Chocolate Recipes for Valentine’s Day
Heart-Shaped Chocolate Cake
My Chocolate Torte to Live For can easily be transformed into a heart-shapedcake that’s just right for Valentine’s Day. No specialty cake pan is needed!
Instructions can be found here:http://francostigan.com/blog/easy-heart-shaped-chocolate-cake/
Spicy Ginger Truffles
According to my friend Lisa Pitman, an accomplished cook from Toronto and co-author of DIY Vegan,“Not only are these exquisite, they are perfect for sharing when you want to spice things up with a certain someone.” How you spice things up is up to you, but make sure you add enough ground ginger to ensure that at least these truffles are up to the task.
The recipe can be found here:http://francostigan.com/blog/ vegan-spicy-ginger-truffles-for-valentines-day/
Bittersweet Chocolate Truffles
Classic chocolate truffles are sinfully indulgent, melt-in-your-mouth, bite-sized confections made from ganache (an emulsion made typically ofchocolate and heavy cream). Truffles sometimes include butter, as well as spices, coffee or tea, liqueurs, nuts, and even fruit purées for flavor. Vegan truffles, also based on ganache, are just as luxurious, velvety smooth, and indulgent—but not sinful. Make these equisite chocolate nibbles ahead of time, and voila…
The recipe can be found here:http://francostigan.com/blog/bittersweet-chocolate-truffles/
Chocolate Olive Oil Glaze for Anything
Short on time? Or like the idea of dipping and dripping chocoate? Choose this recipe! Just about anything can be dipped in this chocolate glaze – try mandarin orange slices, strawberries, cookies, confections, and snacks like pretzels and potato chips.
Recipe can be found here:http://francostigan.com/blog/chocolate-olive-oil-glaze-for-everything-for-national-chocolate-covered-anything-day/
Almost Instant Chocolate Pudding
Prep the ingredients ahead (mise en place!) and cook this real chocolate pudding shortlybefore serving. Eat it warm (that’s what I like best) or cook ahead and serve at room temperature.
The recipe can be found here:http://francostigan.com/blog/almost-instant-chocolate-pudding/
Mediants
Mendiants are a French confection composed of nuts and dried or candied fruits strewn on disks of melted chocolate.They look beautiful but can be time consuming and tricky to make when using tempered chocolate and candying the nuts. Do what I did here and make a simpler version with leftover chocolate and a bits of nuts and fruit.
The recipe can be found here:http://relish.com/recipes/mendiants/
Gluten-Free Brownie Bites
You don’t need to be gluten-free to love these fudgy, deeply chocolate brownies. None of my recipe tasters or testers could tell the difference between these and fudge brownies made with wheat. Seriously, these are awesome. Now I make them using Bob’s Red Mill1 to 1 Gluten-Free Baking Flour. It is thebest!
Recipe can be found on here:http://francostigan.com/blog/vegan-gluten-free-brownie-bites/
Chocolate Vodka
Pure Chocolate Vodka! “To your health and enjoy responsibly!”
The recipe can be found here:http://francostigan.com/blog/california-dreaming-part-three-vegan-chocolate-at-google-youtube/
ChocolateWhite Russians
Dessert in a Glass! The White Russian is the potent but easy to quaff co*cktail that was a favorite of Jeff “The Dude” Lebowski (Jeff Bridges) in the Coen Brothers’ cult classic The Big Lebowski—only he called it “The Caucasian.” I have enjoyed vegan versions of this co*cktail made with nondairy creamer and have now upped the ante by starting with house-made cacao nib–infused Chocolate Vodka.
The recipe can be found on here:http://francostigan.com/blog/california-dreaming-part-three-vegan-chocolate-at-google-youtube/
I’d be remiss if I didn’t remind you thatheartbreakingly, the issue of child slavery in the production of chocolatestill exists.Pleasechoose an ethical chocolate. Check the brands atFood Empowerment Project.
All recipes from Vegan Chocolate, Fran Costigan (Running Press).
Heart-Shaped Cake and Gluten-Free Brownie Bites photos ©Hannah Kaminsky.
Spicy Ginger Truffles, Bittersweet Chocolate Truffles,Chocolate Olive Oil Glaze for Anything, Almost Instant Chocolate Pudding, Mediants, Chocolate Vodka, and Chocolate White Russians photos ©Kate Lewis.
Want to learn to bake like a vegan pro? Join me February 24th through 28th in New York City for myVegan Baking Boot Camp Intensive©!
