http://www.veganbaking.net/ http://www.veganbaking.net/cookies/617-ren-oaty-granola-cookies http://www.veganbaking.net/cookies/617-ren-oaty-granola-cookies I decided to recreate a granola cookie I once had in Sonoma from a cute little coffee shop. It was this fantastic oat-based cookie with honey and nuts and seeds. It was filling and tasty, but not vegan. So I thought I would try it at home with my modifications. I'm very, very pleased with how they came out. Please try this recipe at home. ]]> Tue, 08 Jun 2010 19:22:17 -0400 617 2010-06-08 4 http://www.veganbaking.net/brownies-and-bars/brownies/616-ultimate-brownies http://www.veganbaking.net/brownies-and-bars/brownies/616-ultimate-brownies Ultimate is not something that I throw around lightly, especially for vegan brownies. I've had my share of vegan and regular brownies and been baffled by how lacking vegan versions are. Growning up on my Grandmother's brownies, I learned that a good brownie should be dense, fudgy and soft; not light, cakey and dry. Why is it so hard to emulate a traditional brownie recipe that simply consists of a few simple ingredients? Hint: it's due to the egg, which emulsifies, binds, slightly leavens then bakes up as part of the actual base of the brownie itself. To emulate this takes an expedition deep into the innards of brownie science. ]]> Mon, 07 Jun 2010 04:10:44 -0400 616 2010-06-07 5 http://www.veganbaking.net/breads/hearth-breads/593-sprouted-wild-yeasted-whole-wheat-bread http://www.veganbaking.net/breads/hearth-breads/593-sprouted-wild-yeasted-whole-wheat-bread This Sprouted Wild Yeasted Whole Wheat Bread recipe is a nod to how the first breads probably got their start. Wheat berries were probably softened with water, ground and left out in the elements where they were then populated by airborne yeasts and bacteria, causing the dough to rise slightly. Placing this dough on hot rocks in or near a fire probably resulted in a fine vegan treat like nothing else available at the time. ]]> Mon, 31 May 2010 18:10:36 -0400 593 2010-05-31 http://www.veganbaking.net/cake-decorating/toppings/590-white-chocolate-ganache http://www.veganbaking.net/cake-decorating/toppings/590-white-chocolate-ganache This smooth White Chocolate Ganache recipe uses cocoa butter without the cocoa solids making it a versatile white and creamy vegan topping for cakes, truffles or fillings. Unlike margarine or butter, cocoa butter and coconut oils melt rapidly when they reach their melting point instead of softening slowly. Due to this, extra care must be taken as it resolidifies from it's melting temperature of 93F (34C) to 100F (38C). You can adjust the firmness by adding or subtracting 1 Tablespoon of water. Also feel free to substitute 1 teaspoon to 1 Tablespoon of liqueur or other flavoring extract to further customize your ganache. ]]> Wed, 26 May 2010 23:15:32 -0400 590 2010-05-26 5 http://www.veganbaking.net/breakfast/waffles/586-gingerbread-waffles http://www.veganbaking.net/breakfast/waffles/586-gingerbread-waffles One of my favorite breakfasts is this Gingerbread Waffle recipe accompanied by a cup of strong coffee and veggie sausage on the side. Just when you''re thinking that you may be eating dessert you'll notice a savoriness that will assert that this is indeed breakfast. Slather these vegan waffles with a touch of almond butter, a splash of maple syrup and a sprinkling of Balsamic Candied Pecans to make this a truly memorable experience. ]]> Wed, 19 May 2010 00:59:03 -0400 586 2010-05-19 http://www.veganbaking.net/cake-decorating/frostings/570-rich-peanut-butter-frosting http://www.veganbaking.net/cake-decorating/frostings/570-rich-peanut-butter-frosting This silky smooth vegan Peanut Butter Frosting 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. ]]> Wed, 05 May 2010 05:00:00 -0400 570 2010-05-05 http://www.veganbaking.net/pastries/568-strawberry-pop-tarts http://www.veganbaking.net/pastries/568-strawberry-pop-tarts Pop tarts are one of the easiest ways to pair fruit with flaky pastry goodness. This vegan Strawberry Pop Tart recipe can be customized with whatever fruit preserves you have on hand. You can also fill them with things like chocolate; maple sugar and cinnamon; bananas and coconut, the possibilities are endless! Heck, you can even fill them with savory stuff like caramelized onions, mushrooms and potatoes. I won't judge. Just be sure to keep the filling under 2 teaspoons so they don't push out the sides during baking. The pastry is based on Flaky Pie Crust and features just the right ratio of Vegan Butter or margarine to shortening for the flakiest, most flavorful crust around.
]]> Fri, 30 Apr 2010 01:16:22 -0400 568 2010-04-30 http://www.veganbaking.net/breakfast/pancakes/567-sourdough-pancakes http://www.veganbaking.net/breakfast/pancakes/567-sourdough-pancakes This Sourdough Pancake recipe is one more reason to keep a sourdough starter in your refrigerator at all times. They're wild yeasted which gives them a fascinatingly complex flavor not normally found in either vegan or traditional pancakes. They require advance preparation of a sourdough starter that is used as the foundation of the batter. If you already have this batter around, these pancakes will be even easier to make than Easy Pancakes. If you keep your starter in the refrigerator, it doesn't need to be removed several hours before using as it does in bread baking. Feel free to mix 1 cup of berries or ½ cup chopped nuts into the batter before pouring. Top them with maple syrup and/or a dollop of almond butter. ]]> Wed, 28 Apr 2010 03:41:34 -0400 567 2010-04-28 http://www.veganbaking.net/other-vegan-treats/128-maple-roasted-nuts http://www.veganbaking.net/other-vegan-treats/128-maple-roasted-nuts This Maple Roasted Peanut recipe makes an addictive snack. Once I was on a San Francisco Muni train and was in the process of getting busted for both sneaking on without paying and eating while on the train. As the Muni cops closed in, I clutched my container of vegan Maple Roasted Peanuts tightly. ]]> Fri, 23 Apr 2010 05:00:00 -0400 128 2010-04-23 http://www.veganbaking.net/cake-decorating/frostings/565-rich-buttercream-frosting http://www.veganbaking.net/cake-decorating/frostings/565-rich-buttercream-frosting Use this smooth, creamy 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. ]]> Thu, 22 Apr 2010 05:00:00 -0400 565 2010-04-22 4 http://www.veganbaking.net/breads/enriched-breads/yeasted-enriched-breads/561-wild-yeasted-wheat-bread http://www.veganbaking.net/breads/enriched-breads/yeasted-enriched-breads/561-wild-yeasted-wheat-bread This Wild Yeasted Wheat Bread recipe, also known as sourdough bread uses a wild yeast sponge to leaven the dough, creating a multitude of complex flavor compounds in the process. Be sure to read and cultivate your wild yeast starter and sponge before starting this vegan bread. Sandwich breads baked in loaf pans are usually baked at lower temperatures around 350F (177C) to 375F (191C) and 'enriched' with things like sweeteners, oil and extra salt. Artisan breads formed and baked without loaf pans are baked at higher temperatures around 400F (204C) to 475F (246C) where the heat allows extra flavors to be developed. Taking this into account, your bread recipe and baking process will be slightly different depending on which method you choose. This recipe gives you options for both styles. ]]> Sat, 17 Apr 2010 22:03:34 -0400 561 2010-04-17 http://www.veganbaking.net/cakes/cupcakes/559-vanilla-cupcakes-quick-bread-method http://www.veganbaking.net/cakes/cupcakes/559-vanilla-cupcakes-quick-bread-method This 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 Vanilla Cupcakes - Cream Method.
]]> Fri, 16 Apr 2010 21:35:55 -0400 559 2010-04-16 5 http://www.veganbaking.net/breads/enriched-breads/quick-breads/552-oatmeal-whole-wheat-quick-bread http://www.veganbaking.net/breads/enriched-breads/quick-breads/552-oatmeal-whole-wheat-quick-bread I vegan-ized this Oatmeal Whole Wheat Quick Bread from a recipe found here. All I can say is WOW! Moist, full of texture, earthy and oh so delicious. ]]> Thu, 08 Apr 2010 03:30:49 -0400 552 2010-04-08 4 http://www.veganbaking.net/brownies-and-bars/brownies/550-brownie-bites http://www.veganbaking.net/brownies-and-bars/brownies/550-brownie-bites Want to bake the world’s best brownies (vegan or otherwise) with little effort? Never baked before and feel overwhelmed? Try this awesome brownie mix by my favorite chocolate company, Ghirardelli, founded in 1852 in San Francisco, California. I had great success veganizing the Ghirardelli Double Chocolate Brownie Mix. Follow my instructions exactly and you will discover how easy it is to bake the world’s best brownies!
]]> Tue, 06 Apr 2010 03:21:34 -0400 550 2010-04-06 5 http://www.veganbaking.net/cakes/cupcakes/549-vanilla-cupcakes-cream-method http://www.veganbaking.net/cakes/cupcakes/549-vanilla-cupcakes-cream-method This 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. ]]> Sat, 03 Apr 2010 01:06:45 -0400 549 2010-04-03 4