Apparently chocolate melting in one’s mouth can cause a more intense and longer-lasting pleasure than kissing. I found this “fact” online and will not attest to the veracity, but what is for sure is that chocolate on Valentine’s Day is the way to your sweetie’s heart, your family and friends too. Here are eight recipes from my book Vegan Chocolate. Some are super quick and some take a little time, but all are perfect Valentine’s Day. I believe that using vegan, organic and ethical chocolates (and sweeteners) to make Valentine’s treats is truly loving.
Bittersweet Chocolate Truffles
Classic chocolate truffles are sinfully indulgent, melt-in-your-mouth, bite-sized confections made from ganache (an emulsion of chocolate and heavy cream). Truffles sometimes include butter, as well as spices, coffee or tea, liqueurs, nuts, and even fruit purées for flavor. Vegan truffles, also based on ganache, are just as luxurious, velvety smooth, and indulgent—but not sinful.
The recipe can be found here: https://francostigan.com/blog/bittersweet-chocolate-truffles/
Spicy Ginger Truffles
According to my friend Lisa Pitman, an accomplished cook from Toronto, “Not only are these exquisite, they are perfect for sharing when you want to spice things up with a certain someone.” How you spice things up is up to you, but make sure you add enough ground ginger to ensure that at least these truffles are up to the task.
The recipe can be found here: https://francostigan.com/blog/ vegan-spicy-ginger-truffles-for-valentines-day/
Bittersweet Ganache-Glazed Chocolate Torte to Live For
The name for this cake dates back over twenty years to the day I was sure I had cracked the code for the perfect chocolate cake that was also vegan. I invited three friends over (non-vegan, as it happened) to taste the cake with me. After a big forkful each, we stopped, looked at each other, and said almost in unison, “Now this is a cake worth living for!” At least that is how I remember it. Since then, this has become my signature cake and remains the one most discussed, requested, Google-searched, praised, and served of all my cakes.
The recipe can be found here: https://francostigan.com/blog/nw-chocolate-fest-cake-recipe/
Gluten-Free Brownie Bites
You don’t need to be gluten-free to love these fudgy, deeply chocolate brownies. None of my tasters or testers could tell the difference between these and fudge brownies made with wheat.
Recipe can be found on here: https://francostigan.com/blog/vegan-gluten-free-brownie-bites/
Raspberry Chocolate Silk Tart
Raspberries and dark chocolate look beautiful together and taste even better. This luscious creamy pie is perfect for sharing with a loved one – or indulging on your own.
The recipe can be found here: https://francostigan.com/blog/raspberry-chocolate-silk-tart/
Chocolate Olive Oil Glaze for Anything
Just about anything can be dipped in this chocolate glaze – try mandarin orange slices, strawberries, cookies, confections, and snacks like pretzels and potato chips.
Recipe can be found here: https://francostigan.com/blog/chocolate-olive-oil-glaze-for-everything-for-national-chocolate-covered-anything-day/
Chocolate Vodka
As impossible as it might sound, there seems to be no universal drinking cheer in Russian. Chocolate Vodka certainly screams out for one, so I simply say, “To your health and enjoy responsibly!”
The recipe can be found here: https://francostigan.com/blog/california-dreaming-part-three-vegan-chocolate-at-google-youtube/
Chocolate White Russians
The White Russian is the potent but easy to quaff cocktail that was a favorite of Jeff “The Dude” Lebowski (Jeff Bridges) in the Coen Brother’s cult classic The Big Lebowski—only he called it “The Caucasian.” I have enjoyed vegan versions of this cocktail made with nondairy creamer and have now upped the ante by starting with house-made cacao nib–infused Chocolate Vodka.
The recipe can be found on here: https://francostigan.com/blog/california-dreaming-part-three-vegan-chocolate-at-google-youtube/
I’m thinking about which ones of these I will make. What about you? I’d love to know!
All Photos ©Kate Lewis 2013, except Gluten-Free Brownie Bites ©2014 Hannah Kaminsky.
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