Foodie Fridays: Chloe’s Vegan Desserts
As I type these words I’m munching on a cinnamon walnut Blondie, and thinking of the words my coworkers said when I handed over an Oatmeal Raisin Cookie I made the other day – I’d never guess it was vegan. The number of times I and the folks I bake / cook for have said that has been innumerable over the last eight months, and the reason? Well I guess I owe it to one of those bookseller recommendation tools. They kept on suggesting Chloe Coscarelli’s 2012 cookbook debut, Chloe’s Kitchen, based on other purchases I made. I finally decided to take the book out from my local library to give it a test drive, and after two recipes – Tomato Basil Soup and Crispy Orange Tofu – I was hooked, and actually ordered my copy of the book before my library loaner had to go back. Something about Chef Chloe’s recipe craftmanship speaks to my stomach – and everyone around me – as I’ve literally not made a bad recipe from her debut book, and actually made several of them for multiple occasions and guests.
Anyway, I always really wanted to ‘share’ Chloe with you guys but felt like I was a bit behind on the times in promoting her original cookbook…so you can imagine my delight when I learned she was busy in the kitchen again this past year whipping up a cookbook exclusively on what the girl knows best: Chloe’s Vegan Desserts. See, Chloe actually won the Food Network’s Cupcake Wars, marking her as the first Vegan chef ever to take home a reality show-type prize. And the most common refrain when it came to her concoctions? “I can’t believe this is vegan.”
Because for serious guys, I’m not kidding when I say her recipes are some of the best food – omnivore or vegan – I’ve ever made. It’s not even a question of not ‘tasting like vegan’ food, it’s a bizarre phenomena where you simply won’t believe it’s homemade. I’m talking restaurant-quality recipes that are impossibly simple to make, often with very basic ingredients you’ve probably already got in your pantry / fridge (particularly if you are already a vegan-type like myself). And honestly? The recipes are all droolworthy – from Tiramisu Pancakes to Banana Blueberry Cake with Lemon Buttercream to Chocolate Chip Cookie Pie you’ll be hard-pressed to find a dish that doesn’t appeal to your sweet tooth. The book covers everything from the classics (cookies, cakes, and cupcakes) to some slightly off the beaten path collections (Dessert for Breakfast, Spoon Desserts, or Drink Up! anyone?) I absolutely devoured a batch of lightly glazed Lemon Poppyseed Muffins this past weekend for brunch, and followed it up with a batch of truly Canadian Maple Sandwich Cookies.
Beyond the fact Chloe’s recipes have made me – a decent cook – into something of a gourmand in the kitchen, I also really appreciate the simplicity of them, like these Chewy Ginger Molasses Cookies, whose most ‘exotic’ ingredient is vegan margarine (available at virtually any major grocery store). As I mentioned, ingredient sourcing? A total snap. Specialty equipment? If you’ve baked something before, you’ll be fine. Looking for gluten-free or soy-free alternatives? Every recipe has built-in options to make customizing the recipe beyond easy (in fact, all of the recipes are soy-free to begin with). Plus her books feature tons of photos which makes it easy for you to match the tasty treats in your oven to the cookbook concoctions before you. But honestly, I can genuinely and wholeheartedly say I don’t even care about the look of anything I’ve made from her books at this point – I know the taste will be amazing and it literally always is.
To that end, here’s the final reason why I’m so excited to introduce you to Chloe Coscarelli: I’ve actually given her first cookbook as a gift! Honestly whether you’re an avid cook or simply love to bake, you’ll be wowed by the quality and ease of the recipes in these cookbooks. I would easily buy multiple copies of either title for everyone on my list – as a fun alternative to traditional baking (with out-there recipes you probably haven’t dreamed up yet) or as a delicious way to tackle Meatless Mondays. Chloe’s Vegan Desserts retails for $22, although you can buy it online for a little less.
I really can’t say enough good things about Chef Chloe – and strongly encourage you to at least give the books a test spin from your library, like I did. In the meantime, I’ve got two copies of Chloe’s Vegan Desserts to give away to two of you. Here’s how to enter:
1) Leave a comment by March 9th with what your favourite dessert is and who you’d gift this cookbook to (or if you’d keep it) if you won!
2) Entries are limited to one per person / per email address / per household (or more if you score bonus entries). A random draw will be conducted on or around March 10th to select the winners, who will have 48 hours to respond before another winner is chosen in their place.
3) Entries are limited to Canadians that have reached the age of majority in their province. Quebec is not eligible to participate in this promotion.
4) Bonus Entry: Like Chef Chloe on Facebook and leave a comment with why you’re excited to try her new cookbook – Chloe’s Vegan Desserts!
Comments
57 Responses to “Foodie Fridays: Chloe’s Vegan Desserts”Trackbacks
Check out what others are saying...-
[…] View original post at canadiangiftguide.com […]
-
[…] mom), but I never saw myself as a great one until I picked up a copy of Chloe Coscarelli’s Chloe’s Kitchen a few years back. Whenever I crack open one of Chloe’s cookbooks, I get excited because I […]
Canadian Gift Guide 
I’d be keeping this book for myself and cooking the Tiramisu Pancakes on the weekend.
I would use it for myselft. I fin that my body seems to behave better when I eat more vegan. I am not totally but more than before. 🙂
My favourite dessert is Gingerbread (I’m not huge on sweet, sweet desserts) and I’d keep it for myself, because I’m constantly in need for good vegan recipes to make for my guests.
Commented as Victoria Ess
I’d keep the book for myself, and the first thing I’d try is the Lemon Poppyseed muffins.
My favourite dessert is chocolate eclairs… yum! I’d gift this book to my sister, but only after I’ve browsed through it myself 🙂
My favorite dessert is brownies and I’d keep the book for myself.
My favorite dessert is cusstard and I would keep the book for myself.
Liked and commented on FB
This would be a hard one to part with after the way you’ve talked it up! I love grasshopper pie.
Cookbooks are definitely my department..I would be a lil selfish and keep this one I think 🙂
I liked her facebook page and left a comment, sarah perry
my favourite is cake. I became a vegetarian (trying to buy vegan only) 2 weeks ago so I could definitely use this book for myself.
liked chef chloe on Facebook, I’m new at being vegetarian and cannot wait to learn about these veg. friendly treats
Favourite dessert is anything chocolatey. I’d keep the book for myself.
My favourite dessert is chocolate cake and I would give this cookbook to my vegan husband.
Liked and left a comment. https://www.facebook.com/ChloeCoscarelli?ref=ts&fref=ts
i would look thru and then decide if I could part with it – and try the chocolate receipes – can’t beat chocolate
Chocolate chip cookie pie??? Oh yeah!! All for me!! lol
Lemon poppyseed muffins! I have been looking for a good recipe because they are my favourite.
forgot to say – I would keep it for myself 🙂
Great book by the looks of it. Brilliant pictures. Very nice detailed review.
Would love for more cookbook and food lovers to read this review and blog. Therefore have added an excerpt and link to this review on cookbookQrator.
Looking forward to many more great reviews.
My favourite dessert is cheesecake and I would keep this cookbook for myself
My favourite dessert is probably cheesecake. I would love this book for myself as I would like to add to my gluten free repertoire.
My favourite dessert is my mom’s homemade triffle & I would gift this cookbook to my dear friend Yuri who always shares her creations with me.
Bonus Entry: Liked Chef Chloe on Facebook and left a comment (https://www.facebook.com/ChloeCoscarelli/posts/153811701443621).
Thanks
My favourite dessert is brownies. I would keep the book for myself.
My favorite dessert is Lemon Poppyseed MUffins ,so of course I’d try those first. This book would be a great addition to my cookbook collection.
My favourite dessert is cheesecake which of course, is not vegan at all, but I’d like to try some vegan desserts, so I think if I won, I’d keep the cookbook for myself and try some of Choe’s recipes!
I love macarons
my favorite dessert is cheesecake…and this would go to my vegan sister
i like her on facebook…and her desserts look luscious and can’t wait to try this out.
my favorite dessert is strawberry shortcake (with biscuits) – yummm. I would be selfish and keep the book for myself 😉
I would keep the cookbook for myself- I’m vegan and I love cooking. I’d REALLY like to try the Tiramisu Pancakes.
My favorite dessert is cheesecake. I would be keeping this book for me if I won
I like Chef Chloe Coscarelli on facebook as belinda m and posted
prairiebelle44(at)gmail(dot)com
I would love to try Tiramisu Pancakes.
I liked Chef Chloe!
I must say it would be the banana blueberry cake.I would probably give it to a very dear friend of mine that is finding it hard to get fantastic vegan recipes….so yes please would love it ❤
My favourite dessert is double chocolate brownies.
If I was lucky enough to win, I’d give this to my vegan niece.
Anything chocolate, but brownies would sell me into keeping this book for myself
My Husband eats a nearly vegan diet to lower his cholesterol (the only animal product he eats is fish). Everynight he asks me “What’s for dessert?” and I always answer fruit. Won’t he be surprised if I said Tiramisu pancakes!!!
sugar cookies and I’d keep it for my family
Cheesecake! Yum! I love to bake so I would probably keep it for myself – if not I’d gift it to my vegan sister in law!
I like anything chocolate for dessert!!
Macarons are my very favourite but I doubt they’re vegan. I’d love to try this book out myself or give it to my sister.
I think I would keep these books for myself. Every recipe looks enticing! I love a good cookie with my tea and Chewy Ginger Molasses Cookies seem to fit the bill. Liked and commented on facebook
I would like to try the Lightly Glazed Lemon Poppyseed Muffins and I would gift the book to myself!
My favorite desert is apple crisp with vanilla ice cream. If I won this I would give it to my best friend who is a vegetarian.
Pies pies pies! I love pie and I’d love to gift this to my gf.
Applecrisp for me! and i would keep it for myself
Cupcakes for me. I’ve been eating vegan food for three years now so I’d love to try this book.
Donuts & muffins are my favourite. I used to work at a bakery so that’s probably why. I’d give this book to my aunt Grace, who has been a lifelong vegan.
Easy .. . my bro-in-law – he’s a vegetarian and has experimented with the vegan diet.
I must say, I’d have to keep it! So I could try the chocolate chip cookie pie recipe!
I don’t have a favourite dessert but cheesecake is up there. I have several cookbooks on vegetarian entrees but none concentrating on desserts, so I’d keep this treasure for myself.