Chic Vegan

Vegan and Fabulous!

Book Review and Giveaway: Vegan Chocolate

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Vegan ChocolateTwo of my favorite words in the English language are “vegan” and “chocolate”, Fran Costigan’s cookbook Vegan Chocolate: Unapologetically Luscious and Decadent Dairy-Free Desserts was on my wish list long before I even set eyes on it. Once I got my hands on it I was pleased to find that it’s even more lusciously gorgeous and drool-worthy than I imagined. Vegan Chocolate is a beautiful hardcover book packed with the most stunning, mouthwatering photos of cakes, pies, cookies and other melt-in-your-mouth chocolatey treats that I’ve ever seen. Beware – you may be tempted to eat the book’s pages.

 

I did a little work for Fran last summer while the book was in production, so not only was I able to get a sneak peek at this masterpiece, I also got to sample some of her decadent homemade chocolate treats: brownie bites, truffles, ice cream shell, chocolate hazelnut spread, cake, ganache and more. Each one was better than the last and this chocoholic always went home happy. 

 

Hot Chocolate Mexican-Style LRAs a vegan I’m often asked if it’s possible to make dessert without eggs and dairy products, and I’ve also had people tell me that they could never be vegan because they could never give up chocolate. (Chocolate is vegan by nature, but the way. It’s not vegan when candy bar manufacturers add milk and butterfat to it.) In Vegan Chocolate Fran proves that not only is it possible to make luscious vegan desserts, but they can be rich and sinfully chocolatey as well. This book is packed with recipes for chocolate cakes, pies, cookies, brownies, truffles, puddings, ice creams, drinks and more. I can guarantee that you can win over even the most die-hard carnivore with any one of them. 

 

Cashew-Cream-Truffle-Squares-LRFran begins the book with a list of ingredients that are helpful to have on hand for vegan baking, as well as a list of kitchen equipment essentials. She also includes a chocolate primer with information on storing chocolate, what the different percentages mean and the different types of chocolate. Each chapter begins with Fran’s tips for successful treats, troubleshooting recommendations, and helpful information such as how much frosting is needed for a sheet cake and how to make cake crumbs for decorating. Kate Lewis’s photos of Fran’s creations are works of art, and this book should be on display on your coffee table, rather than tucked away in your bookcase.

 

Brownie-Pudding-Cakelettes-LRVegan Chocolate is a must have for any chocoholic, avid baker, and vegan foodie and it makes a great Valentine’s Day gift. Be sure to check out our interview with Fran too! 

 

You’re in luck because we have a copy of Vegan Chocolate for one lucky Chic Vegan reader. Follow the instructions below to enter. U.S. residents only, please. Contest ends at midnight EST on Sunday, February 9th. Good luck!

 

 

About Dianne

Dianne Wenz is the Editor-In-Chief for Chic Vegan. She is a Holistic Health Counselor, Vegan Lifestyle Coach and Plant-Based Nutrition Specialist. Dianne coaches people from across the country to help them improve their health and wellbeing, and she helps people make the dietary and lifestyle changes needed to go vegan. Dianne lives in New Jersey, where she runs the busy MeetUp group Montclair Vegans. Through the group she hosts monthly potlucks, runs charity bake sales and organizers guest speaker events. An avid cook and baker, Dianne also teaches cooking classes to local clients. In addition to food and nutrition, Dianne loves crafts and cats. To learn more, visit Dianne’s website and blog at Dianne's Vegan Kitchen

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Kim A says

    Umm….everything is my favorite chocolate treat! But really I love to eat 80% dark chocolate bars. I can even trick myself into thinking they are healthy!

  5. Korie B. says

    My favorite chocolatey treat is the triple chocolate cake from my local veg restaurant! Although I do make some pretty good vegan brownies, if I do say so myself…

  6. Millie says

    Aww I with I could enter but I live in England! 🙁 this book looks amazing, vegan chocolate cake is just the best thing. Ever. 🙂 x

  8. Fran Costigan says

    Dianne, thank you for the giveaway! I wish you all good luck. Mille, you can get the book in UK in bookstores and most Whoie Foods markets and amazon.com/uk. The cover cake is crazy good!

  17. Deb E says

    My chocolate treat is putting good quality chocolate shavings in my coffee! I know but it lasts longer than something I eat and I can sip it for a while.

  18. Anna says

    My favorite is melting cacoa powder and coconut oil, blending with chopped dates and pecans and then freezing. So addictively good!

  19. Fran says

    Than you @ChicVegan! Good luck to everyone. I like everything you have written and must say, I’ve put high percentage chocolate into my espresso too. Very good!

  21. Cat says

    When it’s cold outside a big warm cup of almond milk hot cocoa is the only thing I want. Definitely worth noting, but my absolute favorite chocolatey treat would have to be So Delicious chocolate covered coconut milk ice cream bars!

  23. Carrie D. says

    There is no chocolate treat that I don’t like! But I can never pass up a nice, fudgy brownie!

  37. Samantha says

    Favorite dessert is vegan cinnamon chocolate walnut cake. It’s delicious and only takes a few things.

  40. Michelle Jones says

    Have only been a vegan for a year and a half, LOVE chocolate but haven’t tried to make any deserts on my own other than brownies.

  45. Michelle Krammer says

    Wow! I love absolutely anything and everything that involves chocolate but my absolute favourites would be cocao hot chocolate made with coconut milk and sweetened with coconut sugar and cocao chunky choc chip cookies! Yum! Perfect combo too.

  47. Melissa Nieves says

    My favorite chocolate treat would have to be a rich cheesecake with some vegan whipped cream to top it off! YUM!