Fruit pies are not a vegan challenge; most fruit pies are made without animal products when margarine is substituted for the butter in crusts. On the other hand, tarts, tortes, cheesecake (cheese pie, here), and creamy pies call for major substitutions. If you’d rather leave the experimenting to someone else, The 100 Best Vegan Baking Recipes gives you a selection of proven recipes that range from the familiar cran-apple pie to the fun (and sticky) “Chocolate Walnut Toffee Tart.”
Nine pastry recipes designed to showcase wonderful puff pastry are presented, including a recipe for puff pastry that isn’t daunting. Those of us who only have pastry “on the road” or from bakeries will discover that it’s not difficult at all. Cakes and breads are also presented with that same “you can do it” approach that encourages cooks to try new things.
There is a collection of kid-friendly recipes, including pizza dough, and the book closes with a number of frostings, icings, toppings, and cream sauce. If The 100 Best Vegan Baking Recipes has a flaw, it would be the lack of photos. There is something about pictures of completed baking projects that just pushes you into the kitchen and accepts no excuses. On the other hand, most people who have some familiarity with food know how these are supposed to look when done. If you’ve never seen a chocolate chip cookie, you have no business in the kitchen.
Bottom Line: Would I buy The 100 Best Vegan Baking Recipes? Yes, it would make an excellent gift for vegan friends who need a push in the sweets direction, as well as people worrying about cholesterol.
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