
I didn't even know this book was coming out until the Book Publishing Company generously sent me a copy to review and then use in a giveaway. The book opens with stocking the vegan pantry for baking and some helpful conversion charts. Most recipe chapters open with tips to help ensure success.
Chapters include:
Decadent Cakes - the Ultimate Peanut Butter Cake looks especially tempting. The other cakes run the spectrum from the more traditional (Festive Apple Cake) to the more exotic (Banana Cake with Banana Caramel Creme and Roasted Pecans). I tried the Very Berry Corn Muffins from this chapter. I made them with frozen blueberries and dried cherries. They are a hearty, almost rustic tasting (in a good way) muffin that aren't too sweet.

Scrumptious Cookies - most of these are vegan margarine based. Although I was torn between the Lemon Hearts and the adorable Choco-Choco Sandwich Minis, I made the Chocolate Chippers. The flavor was very good, but I think I should have added more flour. Anyone who has done any baking knows just how sensitive it can be and relies on their own judgement in a situation like this. Who knows if it's the weather, the variations in flour, or something even more obscure? The author says to roll the dough into balls and that should have let me know I needed more flour, but I thought refrigerating it(as suggested) would do the trick. Mine ended up being drop cookies with a fair amount of spreading. As they are, they are great tasting, slightly cakey cookies, but probably not quite what the author intended. But I'd definitely make them again.

Creamy Cheesecakes and Pies - opens with lots of different crusts and continues with a wide array of cheesecakes. The Pumpkin Cheesecake Pie would be perfect for this time of year. There is also a Luscious Lime Pie and delicious looking Three Layer Cheesecake Bars, among others. Lots to choose from here!
Velvety Mousses, Puddings and Creams - has a lot of recipes you might expect, but with some interesting twists and turns such as Pina Colada Custard and Orange-n-Cream Gel. The chapter closes with some toppings to be used on pies or other desserts, most of which are cashew-based.
Luscious Treats - Chocolate Sausage? Chocolate Rose Halvah Balls? Praline Bars and Lemon Love Cups. Do you need me to continue? This chapter looks like it's packed with unique recipes that didn't quite fit anywhere else, some of which are real gems from what I can tell.
The book is loaded with pictures and would be terrific for new vegan, an omni who wants to bake for a vegan or even those of us who have a little more experience in the kitchen.
Now's your chance to win a copy of this book. All you have to do is post a comment to this post telling me your favorite dessert. International shipping is ok! I'll hold the drawing toward the end of next week and look forward to getting this book into the lucky hands of one of you. Be sure to check back to see if you're the winner.
As always, a big thanks to the Book Publishing Company for doing these contests.
Tomorrow: Food Network Friday! This week's recipe is for Loaded Mashed Potatoes from Paula Deen. If you make them, please link to Friday's post.

























