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A sweet and moist chocolate muffing with chocolate chips, these double chocolate muffins  RecipeIngredients1 1/2 cup all-purpose flour 1/2 cup cocoa powder 3/4 cup cane sugar 1 tbsp. baking powder 1/2 tsp salt 1 cup vegan chocolate chips 1 cup coconut milk 1/2 cup applesauce 1/2 tsp mint extract* 1/3 cup olive oil Directions
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The perfect movie time snack and great for munching on, this "cheesy" popcorn is very easy to make and ready in under 5 minutes!  RecipeIngredients1/2 cup yellow popcorn kernels 2 tbsp. nutritional yeast 1 tbsp. melted vegan butter-flavored coconut oil* 1 tsp. garlic powder 1/2 tsp salt *You can use almost any vegetable oil instead. Directions
With lots of hearts and sweet treats, this is how my mom surprised my sister and I this past Valentine's Day!
The first thing that caught my eye when I walked in the room was the centerpiece that held all of the sweets. There were baked treats as well as some Delishfish on the top. Another gummy that would work well for a Valentine's Day tea party is RJs licorice since it's red, sweet, and comes in bite-sized pieces!
On the center tier were some heart-shaped vegan rice crispy treats that had been dyed purple. These can be made by melting 4 tbsp. coconut oil in a large pan along with a 10oz bag on Dandies marshmallows and a few drops of purple vegan food coloring. Once melted, add 5 cups of crisp rice cereal and mix well. Quickly, while still warm, shape into hearts with a cookie cutter or by hand.
On the bottom tier were the heart-shaped sugar cookies which were delicious! They were Vegan Empire's sugar cookie recipe, but contained lemon extract instead of vanilla extract. Also, the icing was made by combining 1 cup of powdered sugar with 1 tbsp. lemon juice, a few drops of pink vegan food coloring, and 1 to 2 tbsp. water. If it's too runny, simply add some more sugar, and if too stiff, add some more water.
Last but not least, on the white table runner, surrounding the centerpiece were hearts made from felt which had been individually cut out by hand. They added a very nice touch to the entire tea party!
Please feel free to share pictures of you Valentine's Day tea party on Vegan Empire's Facebook page!
Both delicious and perfect for Mardi Gras, these donuts are easy to make and bursting with color!  RecipeIngredientsDonut: 1 cup all-purpose flour 1/2 cup cane sugar 1 tsp baking powder 1/4 tsp salt 1/2 tsp cinnamon 1/2 cup + 2 tbsp. plant-based milk* 1 tbsp. applesauce 1 tbsp. melted vegan butter flavored coconut oil 1 tsp vanilla extract Topping: 1/2 cup cane sugar 1/4 cup melted vegan butter flavored coconut oil 2 to 3 drops green, yellow, and purple vegan food coloring *Learn more about the different types of plant-based milks here. Directions
 Light and fluffy, these tasty pancakes are the perfect treat for any morning!  RecipeIngredients1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour 1 tbsp. baking powder 1/2 tsp salt 2 tbsp. cane sugar 1 cup coconut (or oat) milk 1/2 cup water 2 tbsp. melted coconut oil Directions
 There are a several different types of plant-based milk alternatives, and they are all better than dairy milk, but which one of them is the best?  As with any agricultural product, it is important to make sure that plant-based milks that you purchase are organic. This isn't just for you safety, avoiding the consumption of toxic chemicals, but also to that of the environment. Those chemicals seep into the groundwater and make their way into oceans, rivers, lakes, and other bodies of water. Bees who pollinate the crops, especially almonds, are poisoned because of the chemicals and are dying as a result, so please be very careful!  Cow MilkJust for comparison, we've included the amount of water needed and the amount of carbon dioxide released in the production of just one glass (200mL) of cow's milk. As you can see, not only is raising cows for their milk cruel, but it is also harmful for the environment.
*For a 200mL glass of milk  1. Rice MilkRice milk requires less than half the amount of water needed to make a glass of cow's milk, but it still needs a lot. Also, rice milk production releases less than half the amount of carbon dioxide than traditional dairy milk.
* For a 200mL glass of "milk"  2. Oat milkOf all these plant-based milks, oat milk requires the least amount of water, and releases a smaller amount of carbon dioxide compared to other options. It is slightly sweet, and works great in desserts!
*For a 200mL glass of "milk"  3. Almond MilkAlthough almond milk is the "milk" from this list that produces the least amount of carbon dioxide, it isn't very good for the environment. This is because it requires an incredibly large** amount of water to produce a single glass; a whopping 74.1 liters!
*For a 200mL glass of "milk" **It takes 1.1 liters of water to grow a single almond!  4. Pea MilkEven though I've personally never had straight up pea milk, I have had pea-based ice cream sandwiches as well as chocolate milk made from peas. Those are absolutely delicious, and they aren't the best when it comes to the required water, but they don't releases much carbon dioxide.
For a 200mL glass of "milk"  SummarizeOf these 4 plant-based milk alternatives, these are the milks ranked in order from best to worst, based on the identified criteria. In both scenarios (water footprint and carbon footprint), cow's milk in the worst option for the environment.
These aren't the only milk alternatives, as there are many others for you to try!
Whether it's soccer, football, hockey, or the "Puppy Bowl", these appetizers are tasty snacks to munch on while you watch the game!  These cauliflower buffalo wings are crispy and spicy, bursting with flavor; simple serve with a side of vegan ranch!  A tasty, creamy spinach dip, paired with slices of a soft French bread, Vegan Empire's French bread and spinach dip are sure to be a crowd pleaser!  Wholefoods' 365 organic "Tator Puffs" make a great addition to a game day buffet. You just have to pop them in the oven and you've got yourself an easy, and tasty, snack. They're slightly crispy on the outside, and super soft in the inside!  Late July's sea salt and lime tortilla chips are great on their own, but they're even better when they're dipped in Siete's mild nacho cashew-based dip!  You can also dip the Late July chips in some homemade guacamole. Just mash 2 avocados in a medium-sized bowl and mix in 2 to 3 tbsp. lemon juice, 1 tsp. garlic powder, 1 tsp. onion powder, and some salt and black pepper to taste. You can also add some red pepper flakes for some extra spice!  What's a party without dessert? These double chocolate fudge brownies are great treats for your sports get-together!  So that everyone can join in on the fun, you can fill a root beer bottle with apple juice to look like beer!  You can share pictures of your game day buffet on Vegan Empire's Facebook page. We can't wait to see how it goes!  Creamy and bursting with flavor, this classic spinach dip is the perfect appetizer for any party or get-together!  This tasty spinach dip pairs perfectly with Vegan Empire's French Bread!  RecipeIngredients1 8oz tub Violife cream cheese 1/2 cup vegan mayonnaise 4 - 5 cups fresh spinach (about 9oz), chopped 2 tbsp. nutritional yeast 1/2 tbsp. lemon juice 1 tsp garlic powder 1/2 tsp onion powder salt and pepper, to taste Directions
These tasty fudgy brownies are sweet treats with just the right amount of texture; perfect for a vegan ice cream sundae!  RecipeIngredients1 cup vegan chocolate chips, melted + 1 cup un-melted 1 cup all-purpose flour 1/2 tsp salt 1/4 tsp baking soda 2 flax eggs (1 flax egg = 1 tbsp. flax seed + 3 tbsp. water. Mix well and let sit for at least 10 minutes) 3/4 cup brown sugar 1/2 cup melted coconut oil 1/4 cup water 1 tsp vanilla extract Directions
 A soft bread with a crisp crust, this tasty French bread is easy to make and ready in about an hour!  RecipeIngredients1 1/2 cups warm water 1 tbsp. maple syrup 1 1/2 tsp salt 1 tbsp. active dry yeast 3 1/2 to 4 cups all-purpose flour Directions
Aquatic creatures, festive decorations, and tasty food, this "Under the Sea" party is perfect for any ocean lover's birthday! Here's the surprise party that I planned for my mom's birthday.
To decorate the table, I laid out a shiny teal tablecloth, reminiscent of the sea, which looked great but made a big mess since pieces of sequin kept on falling off. I also tied 6 blue biodegradable balloon to the back of my mom's chair (since she's the birthday girl) and placed the cake in the center of the table, surrounded with some small plastic dolphins.
I made a white and blue marble cake, with marshmallow fondant sea turtles, which everyone liked! I also added some cake crumbs beneath the larger turtle to resemble sand, and 2 vegan chocolate chips for eyes (some toothpicks were also required to support the head). 
These turtle LED lights also added a nice ambiance to the party; especially at night while we were having dinner! There are several modes that you can choose from, and you can adjust the brightness to suit your needs (I personally like the "candle" mode).
We also snacked on some Delishfish throughout the day (they're basically a vegan version of Swedish fish), and for breakfast I made "Squidamon rolls" (cinnamon rolls shaped like squid with chocolate chip eyes) which were almost too cute to eat!
I also decorated the entertainment unit with a foil curtain and a balloon garland, as well as 2 dolphin-shaped balloons.
The dolphin balloons that I used came in a pack of 2, and I'm glad that they are reusable. At first I was a bit confused about how to inflate them, but then I found out that you can insert a straw (please use the reusable ones) into the circle where you add the helium and blow into that. Then, to prevent the air from coming out, I taped the space shut.
The foil curtain doesn't say that it's reusable, but if it's folded correctly and the 2-sided tape isn't used (I use standard tape to stick it wherever I want), you can put it away and store until next time!
Last but not least, I wrapped the presents in blue tissue paper, along with cute octopus and turtle stuffed animals!
Please share pictures of your "Under the Sea" party on our Facebook page. We can't wait to see what you come up with!
Easy to make, fun to decorate with, and tasty to eat, this marshmallow fondant is perfect for making any cake!  RecipeIngredients1 10oz bag Dandies mini marshmallows* 3 tbsp. water 4 to 6 cups powdered sugar 1/2 tsp vanilla extract A few drops vegan food coloring (optional) *You can use regular-sized marshmallows instead, but the mini ones are easier to melt. Directions
A moist, fluffy cake with a colorful interior, this 2-tier marble cake is easy to make with a light and airy buttercream frosting!  RecipeIngredientsFor the cake: 5 cups all-purpose flour 4 tbsp. cornstarch 2 tbsp. baking powder 1 tsp. salt 3 cups cane sugar 1 1/2 cup melted vegan butter-flavored coconut oil 3 cups coconut milk 4 tsp apple cider vinegar 2 tbsp. vanilla extract For the buttercream: 2 cups butter-flavored coconut oil 6 cups powdered sugar 4-6 tbsp. coconut milk, at room temperature* 2 tsp vanilla extract A few drops vegan food coloring (optional) *If the coconut milk is too cold, the frosting will clump up, and if it's too hot, it'll be runny. Directions
Based off of Disney's "Enchanted Tiki Room", this is a very festive party; with tropical birds, fruity flavors, and cheerful music! Here's how my mom planned my Enchanted Tiki Room birthday party this year.
Of course, every birthday party needs a cake, and this vegan coconut cream cake goes perfectly with the tropical theme! Vegan candles can be difficult to find, but these* are 100% vegan and safe to use!
To create the perfect centerpiece for the table, my mom purchased a few faux palm leaves and placed the cake stand on top, with a pink lei wrapped around the base. There was also a Hawaiian table skirt wrapped around most of the table. *These candles contain palm oil, and normally this is harmful to the environment and orangutans since harvesting palm oil destroys the rainforests of Malaysia and Indonesia. However, this specific company (GoodLight) cares about the environment and plants trees in the rainforest as well as supports the Orangutan Trust Fund. Please be very careful when it comes to palm oil, or there will be serious effects on the planet and all who call her home! 
This coconut cake is very light and fluffy, and absolutely delicious!
To drink, we had some tropical fruit punch served in these beautiful tiki glasses.
Of course, what's an Enchanted Tiki Room without the birds?! To set this up, my mom pushed the living room coffee table up against the entertainment unit and made a garland from the faux palm leaves. She also placed a few of the leaves on the table and set up the presents with 5 tropical bird stuffed animals and a lei!
Feel free to share pictures of you Enchanted Tiki Room party with us on our Facebook page; can't wait to see how your party goes!
This is the perfect alfredo sauce, both creamy and savory, and absolutely delicious!   RecipeIngredients1lb your favorite pasta 3 tbsp. vegan butter flavored coconut oil 3 cloves garlic, minced 2 tbsp. all-purpose flour 1 3/4 cup oat milk 1/3 cup vegetable broth 1 tsp black pepper 1 tsp Dijon mustard 1/4 cup nutritional yeast Sea salt, to taste Directions
 Sweet and dreamy, bursting with peanut butter richness, this is the perfect treat for any occasion!     RecipeIngredientsCrust: 28 vegan sandwich cookies 5 tbsp. vegan butter flavored coconut oil, melted Filling: 1 cup peanut butter 8oz Violife cream cheese (at room temperature) 1 cup powdered sugar 9oz tub cocowhip Chocolate Drizzle: 1 11.25oz can Nature's Own sweetened condensed coconut milk 3 tbsp. cocoa powder Directions
Not quite a hamburger, this "yum burger" is a tasty savory burger, bursting with flavor. Just serve on a bun with a slice of Violife cheese and it's absolutely delicious!  RecipeIngredients2 cups cooked brown rice 2 cups hydrated TVP (hydrated with hot water) 4 - 5 tbsp. tapioca 2 tbsp. olive oil 2 tsp onion powder 1 tsp garlic powder 1/2 tsp chili powder 3 cloves garlic, minced (if you don't have fresh garlic, you can usse 1 1/2 tsp minced garlic instead) 1 tbsp. smoke paprika 1 tbsp. nutritional yeast 2 tbsp. soy sauce 1 1/2 tsp salt black pepper, to taste 5 tbsp. 1 slice vegan white bread DirectionsIn a food processor, pulse the slice of bread until it turns into crumbs. Add in the TVP, cooked rice, soy sauce, paprika, nutritional yeast, tapioca, onion powder, garlic powder, chili powder, fresh garlic, salt, and black pepper and pulse a few times until everything is combined (Don't overmix. You want there to still be some texture.) In a large bowl, mix together the food processor mixture and the vital wheat gluten. Shape the mixture into 6 to 8 patties. Cook in a lightly oiled frying pan over medium heat for a few minutes on each side (until golden). Serve on your favorite burger buns and with the vegan condiments of your choice. Enjoy!  Christmas is the merriest time of the year, with festive songs, Christmas decorations, and holiday treats, and this Grinch-mas party is a great way to celebrate! Based on Dr. Seuss' "How the Grinch Stole Christmas", this party features a menu perfect for all Whos!  At my family's Grinch-mas celebration, the table was set with a red and white checkered tablecloth with matching napkins and a white table runner. Placed in the middle of the table was a cute Grinch centerpiece that we all loved!  The centerpiece was made from an upside down cake stand, topped with a cute Grinch plush. Surrounding the cake stand were some homemade heart-shaped rice crispy treats made to resemble the Grinch's heart (I've included the recipe below)!  Rice Crispy Ingredients: 10oz bag Dandies marshmallows* 1/4 cup coconut oil, melted 5 cups rice crisp cereal A few drops green vegan food coloring Rice Crispy Directions:
**If you don't have any heart-shaped cookie cutters, you can skip this step and simply shape the hearts with your hands.  We also made mint chocolate fudge, sugar cookies, gingerbread cookies, and chocolate chip cookies for our Grinch-mas celebration! Crispy on the outside, tender in the middle, these meatless meatballs are full of flavor and easy to make!  I like making meatball subs with these meatless meatballs. Simply serve on a warm bun with some vegan marinara sauce and a slice of Violife provolone!  RecipeIngredients2 cups cooked chickpeas, drained 2 1/2 tbsp. ground flax seed 6 tbsp. water 1/2 cup vegan breadcrumbs 1 1/2 tsp. garlic powder 2 tsp onion powder 1 tsp dried parsley 1 tsp marjoram 1/2 tsp salt 1/2 tsp basil 1/4 tsp black pepper Directions
A soft, moist cookie with a sweet and fluffy marshmallow filling, these s'mores cookies are tasty treats perfect for cold rainy days!   RecipeIngredients1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour 1 tsp baking soda 1/4 tsp salt 1/2 cup coconut oil or vegan butter-flavored coconut oil (at room temperature) 1/3 cup apple sauce 1 cup cane sugar 1 tsp vanilla extract 3 – 6 tbsp. coconut milk 2/3 cup Enjoy Life chocolate chips 9 large Dandies Marshmallows, cut in half* *The best way to slice marshmallows is with a pair of kitchen scissors, not a knife. Directions
 A traditional holiday treat, these tasty gingerbread cookies are soft, sweet and perfect for decorating!  Decorating is one of the best parts of making gingerbread cookies; that and eating of course! Instead of making the traditional gingerbread men, you can also turn them upside down and make cute little reindeer!  RecipeIngredientsFor the Cookies: 3 cups all-purpose flour 1 tsp baking powder 3/4 tsp baking soda 1/4 tsp salt 1 tbsp. ginger 2 tsp cinnamon 1/4 tsp ground cloves 1/8 tsp nutmeg 1/8 tsp allspice 1/2 cup vegan butter flavored coconut oil 1/2 cup brown sugar 1/4 cup molasses 1/4 cup applesauce* 1 tsp vanilla extract *you may need a bit more if the dough is too dry For the icing: 1 cup powdered sugar 2 to 3 tbsp. water Directions
 A moist coconut cake with an airy cream cheese frosting, covered with some shredded coconut, this coconut cream cake is a delicious dessert!  RecipeIngredientsFor the cake: 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour 2 tbsp. cornstarch 1 tbsp. baking powder 1/2 tsp. salt 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar 3/4 cup melted coconut oil 1 1/2 cups coconut milk (not from a can) 2 tsp apple cider vinegar 2 tsp vanilla extract Cream Cheese frosting: 8 oz. Violife cream cheese 1/2 cup vegan butter flavored coconut oil (slightly softened but not melted) 3 - 4 cups powdered sugar 1 tsp vanilla extract Topping: 1 cup shredded coconut or coconut flakes Directions
Soft, sweet, and buttery, these vegan sugar cookies are festive holiday treats that are perfect for virtually any occasion!  Around Christmastime, I enjoy decorating my sugar cookies like snowflakes, Christmas trees, and candy canes!  These vegan food colorings are both colorful and cruelty-free!  RecipeIngredientsCookies: 3/4 cup vegan butter-flavored coconut oil (at room temperature) 3/4 cup granulated sugar 2 tbsp. coconut milk* 1 tbsp. cornstarch 1 tsp vanilla extract 2 - 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour 1/2 tsp baking powder 1/2 tsp salt *If the dough is too dry, you may need an extra 1 to 2 tbsp. Icing: 1 cup powdered sugar 2 - 3 tbsp. water A few drops vegan food coloring (until you attain your desired shade) Directions (Cookies)
Directions (icing)
 A moist chocolate muffin with chocolate chips, this double chocolate muffin is a sweet breakfast treat!  Recipe:Ingredients3 cups all-purpose flour 4 tsp baking powder 1 tsp salt 3/4 cups cocoa powder 2 cup coconut milk 1/2 cup melted coconut oil 1/2 cup maple syrup 3/4 cup apple sauce 3 tsp vanilla extract 1 cup vegan chocolate chips (I use Enjoy Life) DirectionsPreheat the oven to 375°F. In a large mixing bowl, mix together the flour, baking powder, salt, and cocoa powder. In a separate bowl, mix together the coconut oil, maple syrup, applesauce, and vanilla extract. Add the coconut milk and wet mixture to the dry ingredients and stir until well combined. Add the vegan chocolate chips and stir. Scoop the batter evenly into a greased muffin pan, place in the oven, and bake for 24 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. Allow to cool for a few minutes before removing from the pan. Enjoy!  |
