Coconut is one of my favorite ingredients due to its neutral flavors that add richness to almost anything. Coconut contains flavor compounds called lactones that are among the same flavor compounds that give traditional dairy cream its trademark creamy flavor. And we all wondered why coconut and cream went together so well! In this Toasted Coconut Cake I wanted to maximize these layers of coconut and cream for a truly decadent cake.
I love how green tea has a subtle ability to refresh coupled with a slight hint of savoriness. I adore how vegan cupcakes can be a celebratory canvas for almost any flavor combination, that you get to just pick up and take a bite out of. But how do you infuse green tea into a baked cake product? Easy, right? 
This Easy Vegan Buttercream Frosting is just a simple, versatile, delectable frosting that will elevate your cakes and cupcakes to a new level without requiring you to put on your lab coat and don your frosting goggles. You can either use Regular Vegan Butter with a cocoa butter base which is recommended, Regular Vegan Butter with a coconut oil base, or, if you haven’t gotten around to buying a walk-in freezer to store your Vegan Butter in yet, go the easy route and use store bought stick margarine. 
Ok so I found this Vegan Chocolate Cake recipe and it was a HUGE hit with my family and friends. It was quite easy to make as well! I've never really been a cake person, in fact I detest the stuff for the most part; but this cake made even me nod in approval. The blend of coffee that I put in the recipe adds to the chocolaty goodness and taste. It's very moist as well. There is a glaze that goes with the cake, but I personally never use it. I think the cake is just fine alone. However, I will add the directions for the glaze in case you guys want to try it.... Enjoy! 
Let me just say, I'm a vanilla girl. Don't get me wrong, chocolate is great! But when I had to give up gluten & dairy I really just missed good old vanilla cupcakes. I tried a lot of recipes but they were too dry or too grainy or too plain or too... well, gross. So I got to work! It took me awhile to perfect but I'm SO proud of this Gluten-free Vegan Vanilla Cake recipe and I really think you'll love it. So far I've gotten great feedback from my "taste testers" (most of whom aren't gluten-free OR vegan). Enjoy! 
For those difficult times when you can’t decide whether to make a vegan apple pie or a cheesecake, do both! This Vegan Caramel Apple Cheesecake recipe utilizes soy yogurt that is left with pureed almond and non-dairy milk for up to 24 hours so the Lactobacillus cultures in the yogurt can enhance the flavors of the mixture. In order for this to work as effectively as possible it’s important to use unsweetened non-dairy soy yogurt containing Lactobacillus and with as little additives and thickeners as possible. Lactobacillus cultures are bacteria that ferment sugars in the food and produce complex flavors and acids such as lactic acid.
Trying cake batter ice cream recently I was intrigued of the concept of blending two completely different types of desserts. I loved how the ice cream takes on the unexpected flavor of cake batter but still has the consistency of ice cream. What could I get away with in an attempt to blend flavors and textures that would contrast but also compliment each other? I have a flavor experience burned in my memory from some point in my life where I had vanilla ice cream oozing over a ginger snap cookie. I realized that this was what I must try. Should I grind the ginger snaps and steep them in non-dairy milk or just blend them in the ice cream recipe before processing in the ice cream maker? Would I still need to add the same ratios of ingredients as my Vanilla Ice Cream recipe? 
Few desserts are as satisfyingly simple as Vegan Vanilla Ice Cream. Over the years I've had dozens of different styles and I’ve developed a preference for what I believe to be optimal qualities in ice cream. I believe it should be rich, smooth, delicately melt into a creamy base in your mouth but not linger for too long and not have off flavors. I don’t prefer ice creams that are frozen into a block of ice, nor do I approve of ice creams that have the texture and taste of ice milk. So how do you develop a soft, creamy, flavorful vegan vanilla ice cream recipe without using eggs or dairy? While we're on the subject of ice cream, how do you develop an assertive vanilla flavor while not being over-the-top and making it taste artificial? 
These nutrient dense Raw Lemon Cupcakes with Pistachio Nuts are quick and easy to make! You don't need an oven to do these, only a food processor and a fridge. They contain exciting super foods that work wonders for you body! Eat them without guilt.
This Rich Vegan Coconut Frosting recipe is just bursting at the seams with coconut flavor. It's similar in flavor and texture to the frosting at BabyCakes bakery if you've ever been lucky enough to do a "shot" of theirs. This vegan frosting differs in that it takes advantage of caramelizing sugar to the thread stage of 230F (110C) where it contributes a smooth velvety texture. It also uses soy milk powder (not to be confused with soy flour) to improve creaminess and a dash of vanilla extract to tie it all together. A touch of agave syrup inhibits sugar recrystalization in the frosting. There is a delicate balance due to coconut oil's tendency to melt above 76F (24C) which is one of the caveats of using coconut oil in a frosting.
This Vegan Hazelnut Coffee Ice Cream recipe takes advantage of hazelnuts, also known as filberts for its base and to enhance coffee flavors. Early trials of this vegan ice cream used toasted hazelnuts which brought out slightly deeper hazelnut flavors but left minuscule granules in the ice cream which affected creaminess. If you have a VitaMix, go ahead and toast them. If you have a regular blender leave the hazelnuts untoasted so creaminess isn't affected. The ice cream will be delightful either way, especially when topped with Vegan Double Chocolate Sauce. 
This Vegan Coconut Rum Raisin Ice Cream recipe is a great example of how suitable coconut milk can be as a rich, creamy base in vegan ice creams. The coconut flavor is further enhanced by the addition of toasted shredded coconut then complimented by just the right amount of rum soaked raisins. It's important to note that adding more than 2 Tablespoons of rum is discouraged because it will drastically increase the freezing temperature resulting in ice cream that's too soft.
This creamy Rich Vegan White Chocolate Frosting is a more intensely flavored recipe alternative to other vegan white frostings. It's great for cakes where you may be concerned that a dark chocolate frosting could be too much chocolate (if that's even possible). It takes advantage of caramelizing sugar to the thread stage of 230F (110C) where it contributes a smooth velvety texture. It also utilizes cocoa butter as the main fat with soy milk powder (not to be confused with soy flour) to help with emulsifying and enhancing creaminess. Cocoa butter can be difficult to work with because when it reaches it's melting temperature range of between 93F (34C) and 100F (38C) it melts instantly. Whisking the frosting periodically as it gradually cools back to room temperature in the refrigerator solves this issue. The stiffness of this frosting can be adjusted by adding or subtracting 1 Tablespoon of water.
This Vegan Double Chocolate Brownie Chunk Ice Cream recipe was going to be called Triple Chocolate Brownie Chunk Ice Cream due to it's use of two different types of chocolate and brownie chunks mixed in. Then I realized that things were starting to get out of hand and I had to look out the window and count to ten. Its still full of chocolate though; This Category 1 chocoholic wouldn't lie. It's a great way to use up those extra Ultimate Vegan Brownies you have lying around that you've desperately been trying to eat. Wishful thinking, no? Drizzling some Double Chocolate Sauce over the top is highly recommended. 
This silky smooth Rich Vegan Peanut Butter Frosting recipe packs a peanut buttery punch that can really dress up any vegan cake. This recipe takes advantage of caramelizing sugar to the thread stage of 230F (110C)where it contributes a smooth velvety texture. It also utilizes the power of soy milk powder (not to be confused with soy flour). Soy milk powder adds extraordinary creaminess while still allowing the frosting to remain firm. 
Use this smooth, creamy Rich Vegan Buttercream Frosting recipe for decadent vegan cakes where you want some buttery flavor to shine through. In my search for a truly decadent frosting that is also resistant to melting in warmer temperatures, I utilized the power of soy milk powder. (not to be confused with soy flour). Soy milk powder adds extraordinary creaminess while still allowing the frosting to remain firm. This allowed me to use a simple syrup (sugar and water) for a sweetener so the frosting is silky smooth. This vegan frosting also takes advantage of caramelizing sugar to the thread stage of 230F (110C) where it contributes a smooth velvety texture. Finally, I used Vegan Butter or margarine as the main fat due to it's affordability and availability. 
This Vegan Vanilla Cupcake recipe makes light and airy vegan cupcakes that have a soft, tender crumb due to the addition of arrowroot flour as well as apple cider vinegar. Vanilla extract and a touch of almond extract tie it all together. These cupcakes utilize the quick bread method which involves mixing your dry ingredients and wet ingredients in separate bowls, then mixing them both together at the end. This is a really easy way to make great cakes that have tender and spongy qualities. The drawback of this style is you have to be careful if you adjust the amount of sugar; more sugar will tenderize the batter, negatively affecting rise. These cupcakes are a little under sweet for my taste but if you're going for an elaborate frosting job no one will notice. If you increase the sugar in this quick bread method by even 1 Tablespoon, the cupcakes won't rise enough so it's not recommended. Use these cupcakes as a base for other flavor variations by switching out some of the flour and/or flavoring extracts. If you're looking for a cupcake that's a little bit more sweet and full flavored check out the Vegan Vanilla Cupcakes - Cream Method.
This Vegan Vanilla Cupcake recipe makes soft vegan cupcakes that utilize the cream method which involves beating or creaming Vegan Butter or margarine and sugar together, beating in an egg replacing liquid then mixing in the flour and remaining liquid at alternating stages. This results in a cake that has a more substantial mouth feel and less crumbs partially due to the gluten in the flour becoming more activated from the mixing. This method also provides a more substantial rise that is less inhibited by sugar than cakes made via the quick bread method. This cupcake requires more preparation and is less tender and spongy but more flavorful due to the Vegan Butter or margarine and slightly increased sugar. Use these cupcakes as a base for other flavor variations by switching out some of the flour and/or flavoring extracts. If you're looking for a cupcake that's a little bit more fluffy and less sweet check out the Vanilla Cupcakes - Quick Bread Method. 
This silky smooth Rich Vegan Maple Frosting recipe uses slightly caramelized maple and agave syrup as its base. This allows it to be 100% sweetened by these syrups, giving it maximum maple flavor and a velvety consistency with no sugar crystals. The agave syrup prevents the maple syrup from crystalizing after it's caramelized. The firmness of this frosting can be customized to your preference easily by caramelizing your syrups plus or minus 5F (3C) from the 235F (113C) caramelization temperature which is known as the thread stage. If you slather this on pancakes I promise not to tell anyone.
Real banana is blended into this Rich Vegan Banana Cream Frosting recipe which creates a rich banana cream with butterscotch overtones. This vegan frosting recipe utilizes the power of soy milk powder (not to be confused with soy flour) which adds extraordinary creaminess while still allowing the frosting to remain firm. It also takes advantage of caramelizing sugar to the thread stage of 230F (110C) where it contributes a smooth velvety texture. The firmness of this frosting can be customized to your preference easily by adding or subtracting 1 Tablespoon of water. 
In search for a truly decadent vegan Rich Vegan Vanilla Frosting recipe that is also resistant to melting in warmer temperatures, I utilized the power of soy milk powder (not to be confused with soy flour). Soy milk powder adds extraordinary creaminess while still allowing the frosting to remain firm. This frosting also takes advantage of caramelizing sugar to the thread stage of 230F (110C) where it contributes a smooth velvety texture. Finally, I used vegetable shortening as the main fat due to it's affordability and availability.
This Vegan Parsnip Cake recipe is carrot cake's long lost brother, featuring parsnips which are slightly spicy and astringent. Parsnips are teamed up with pineapple, golden raisins, non-diary yogurt and a touch of cardamom to make a vegan cake that's lighter and spicier than carrot cake but every bit as tasty. Like carrot cake, Vegan Parsnip Cake should be liberally frosted with Easy Vegan Cream Cheese Frosting or a variant thereof for best results.
When this Vegan Sweet Potato Pecan Ice Cream recipe is mentioned to passerby one of two things usually happens: people either express great joy or wince and convulse. Sweet potatoes are pumpkin 2.0 people! They have a much more complex flavor than pumpkin so I just cut to the chase and paired them with candied pecans to make this vegan ice cream. You could substitute pumpkin purée if you really wanted to but it's not recommended unless you're stuck on a dessert island with nary a single sweet potato in sight.
This Vegan Chai Chocolate Chip Ice Cream recipe uses non-dairy milk and cashew butter for creaminess. Raw cashew butter essential for this vegan ice cream due to it's neutral flavor; roasted cashew butter is not recommended because it has undesirable bitter flavors that will throw off the flavor profile. Chai is such an awesome hot beverage that it dominates the hot beverage scene to the point of where other hot beverages are jealous. So why not make it dominate the cold and icy scene as well by making it into ice cream? Then add chocolate? Well okay then! 
This Vegan Rice Crispy Treat Cupcake recipe is the first thing I made after ordering Dandies Vegan Marshmallows from Chicago Soy Dairy. I feel like a kid again with these gluten-free treats. Vegan baking doesn't get much easier than melting Vegan Butter, marshmallows, adding vanilla extract then mixing in puffed rice. Making the vegan ganache is slightly more involved but still simple. Be sure to make these as close to your eating occasion as possible because Vegan Rice Crispy Treats love to dry out. If you need to make them a day or so beforehand, keep them in an air-tight container.
This Creamy Vegan Cashew Cream Cheese Frosting recipe is a great way to get that cream cheese flavor without resorting to lab derived ingredients like xenophobo-lactate. This vegan frosting features cashews and is enhanced with just the right amount of apple cider vinegar, lemon juice, sugar and vanilla extract. The mixture is then given a rest to allow complex flavors to develop more fully. It takes longer to make due to this step but it's worth it. 
This Creamy Vegan Cashew Cheesecake recipe is a natural take on a vegan cheesecake that doesn't use space age ingredients like cheesecakes using store bought vegan cream cheeses often do. I tried to strike a good balance between unprocessed ingredients and high quality flavor. This cheesecake uses a cashew base enhanced with apple cider vinegar, lemon juice and just the right amount of sugar and vanilla extract to tie it all together.This seductive Vegan Double Chocolate Sauce is perfect drizzled on ice cream, cake or pretty much anything else. It's chocolate sauce. What could it possibly not be good on? This recipe uses the tried and true formula of semi-sweet chocolate, cocoa powder and espresso powder to bring out the most complex chocolate flavor possible. Pictured on Vegan Double Chocolate Cake with Rich Vegan White Chocolate Frosting.
This vegan Apple Cake recipe utilizes applesauce and a touch of apple cider vinegar, brown rice syrup, cinnamon, nutmeg and allspice to bring out the best apple flavors. It pairs perfectly with Cream Cheese Frosting or Creamy Cashew Cream Cheese Frosting.
This Vegan Peanut Butter Maple Ice Cream recipe takes advantage of the alchemy that happens when peanut butter and maple syrup are combined in holy matrimony. These flavors are further bound in this vegan ice cream with the addition of non-dairy milk and a touch of vanilla extract.
This Vegan Banana Walnut Ice Cream recipe makes wonderfully creamy ice cream due to its extensive use of bananas and cashew butter This vegan ice cream is further enhanced with non-dairy milk, walnuts and a touch of vanilla extract. This delicious Creamy Vegan White Frosting recipe is great for flavored layer cakes where you want the frosting to compliment the cake, not compete with it. This vegan frosting also goes great with a white cake if you want to keep things simple yet elegant. 
This Easy Vegan Cream Cheese Frosting recipe is easy to make and perfect on chocolate cake or carrot cake. Enhancing this vegan frosting with a touch of vanilla extract, apple cider vinegar and lemon juice brings out just the right cream cheese flavors without having to resort to highly processed cream cheese alternatives.
This Vegan Chocolate Velvet Frosting is extremely rich and smooth because it features non-dairy milk and arrowroot powder as it's base. Cocoa powder and just the right amount of powdered sugar allow this vegan frosting to burst at the seams with chocolate flavor. This Classic Vegan White Cake recipe is a simple way to make delectable light and fluffy vegan cakes. It features a touch of apple cider vinegar for a superior crumb and flavor depth and just the right amount of vanilla extract and lemon extract for a rich flavor. Its subtle vanilla notes won't compete for attention if you're interested in adapting it into more complex cakes. This Vegan Pumpkin Spice Cake recipe takes advantage of barley malt syrup's ability to really drive pumpkin flavors. This vegan cake is then enhanced with cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves and a touch of lemon juice, making it perfect for special occasions during the Fall season. This Vegan Double Chocolate cake recipe has been specifically designed to deliver maximum chocolate flavor. It utilizes cocoa powder, semi-sweet chocolate and espresso for maximum flavor depth. Some of the flour is offset by cocoa powder, which would normally reduce the overall gluten content of the cake, making it crumbly. Using bread flour which has a higher than normal amount of gluten brings things back in balance, allowing us to pack this vegan cake with as much deep, complex chocolate flavor as possible. Pictured with Rich White Chocolate Frosting and Vegan Double Chocolate Sauce.
This is the classic vegan cheesecake recipe of dinner party legend. It relies on the amazing flavors of your favorite vegan cream cheese enhanced with a touch of non-dairy yogurt, non-dairy milk and just the right amount of flour for optimum flavor and texture. It's worth buying a spring form pan for.
When I was little, I noticed my Mom eating cake. When I asked what kind of cake it was she replied, “you won't like it, it has carrots in it”. Later in life I realized that she said that so she could horde the best type of cake in the world all for herself! (Don't think I forgot about that Mom) Just to make sure that doesn't happen again, I designed this vegan carrot cake recipe which features carrot enhancing ingredients such as pineapple, molasses, cinnamon, cardamom with just the right amount of raisins and walnuts for optimal flavor contrast. It's great slathered with Cream Cheese Frosting. I also have a vegan carrot cake recipe for 8 inch cake pans.This Vegan Banana Walnut Cake recipe is a staple birthday cake in my family. Nutmeg, walnuts, and a touch of vanilla extract really brings out the banana. It pairs perfectly with Chocolate Frosting or Ganache.
