Photo: [LINK]
Choosing vegan desserts for your holiday table is an invitation to explore new flavours, promote inclusivity, make healthier choices, and express ethical and environmental considerations. Vegan desserts offer a path to mindful indulgence. Health-conscious individuals will appreciate the use of plant-based ingredients, often resulting in desserts that are lower in saturated fats and cholesterol. This means you can relish the holiday spirit without guilt, knowing you're making healthier choices!
This Christmas, give vegan desserts a try and brighten your day by serving these guilt-free vegan desserts for brunch!
That’s right – we know there’s already a long list of desserts you will want to dig into for Christmas Eve and even on Christmas, so we’re offering these delicacies for you and your family to enjoy as you start the day!
Chocolate Salami [1]
Photo: [LINK]
This sweet treat, despite its name, contains no meat whatsoever. Instead, it's a delectable, no-bake dessert made from a medley of vegan-friendly ingredients. It's a perfect fusion of textures and tastes, making it a favorite among vegans and non-vegans alike!
INGREDIENTS
- 4 ½ cups vegan graham crackers
- 2 tbsp nuts (walnuts, pecans, pistachios, hazelnuts, almonds)
- 2 tbsp dried fruit (cranberries, cherries, raisins)
- 5 oz dark chocolate, use 50% or 70% cocoa content depending on desired sweetness
- 1 tbsp Borges Extra Light Olive Oil
- 2 tbsp Borges Almond Nut Milk
- Icing sugar, for dusting
INSTRUCTIONS
- Crumble the biscuits up with your hands. Aim for pieces about 1 to ½cm in size, but not so small that they've turned to dust. Then, finely chop your chosen combination of dried fruits and nuts.
- Melt the chocolate in a heatproof bowl over a hot water bath, or in a microwave at 30 second intervals. Then, add the Borges Extra Light Olive Oil and Borges Almond Nut Milk to the chocolate and stir until smooth.
- Add the biscuits, dried fruit and nuts to the chocolate mixture and mix until combined. Set aside this mixture for approximately 20 minutes, until it has solidified enough to hold its shape well, but hasn't become so solid to that you can't mould it.
- Cut a piece of baking paper about 20cm wide and spoon the mixture lengthwise onto the centre and then use a spatula to form it into a rough salami shape.
- Fold the bottom edge of the baking paper up and over the mixture and roll it into the paper. Gently press with your hands to get smooth surface and round salami shape. Twist the ends of the paper together at each end.
- Chill the chocolate salami in the fridge for at least 1 hour or until fully set.
- Unwrap and dust with icing sugar on all sides.
- Slice, serve and enjoy!
Vegan brownies [2]
Photo: [LINK]
Vegan brownies are a delectable twist on a beloved classic, reimagined for those who choose a plant-based lifestyle. These indulgent treats are every bit as rich and fudgy as their traditional counterparts, but they're crafted without dairy or eggs. Instead, they rely on clever substitutions like flax eggs, almond milk, and plant-based butter to create a moist, chocolatey masterpiece.
INGREDIENTS
- 3 tbsp ground or milled flaxseeds
- 200g dark vegan chocolate
- 100g vegan butter
- 150g plain flour, sifted
- 50g cocoa powder, sifted
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 200g caster sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 150mL Borges Almond Nut Milk
INSTRUCTIONS
- Heat the oven to 180C/fan 160C/gas 4. Line a 23cm x 23cm square brownie tin with baking paper. Mix the ground flaxseeds with 6 tbsp of cold water in a bowl, then set aside to thicken.
- Melt the chocolate and butter together in a microwave or a bowl set over (but not touching) a pan of simmering water. Cool slightly to room temperature.
- Combine the flour, cocoa powder, baking powder and a pinch of salt in a separate bowl.
- Whisk the caster sugar into the chocolate mixture until smooth and fully combined. Add the flaxseed mixture, vanilla extract and Borges Almond Nut Milk, and stir to combine. Finally, fold in the dry ingredients until just combined.
- Pour the batter into the prepared baking tin and smooth the top. Bake for 25 minutes or until the top is cracked but the middle is just set. Cool completely, then lift out of the tin and cut into squares.
Apple fritters [3]
Photo: [LINK]
Indulging in warm, crispy, and perfectly spiced apple fritters is the ultimate way to kick off a memorable vegan Christmas brunch. These delectable treats are a delightful fusion of flavours – sweet, cinnamon-infused apples encased in a light, golden-brown, vegan-friendly batter. Served piping hot and dusted with a touch of powdered sugar, they evoke the cozy, festive spirit of the holidays.
INGREDIENTS
- 1 ½ cup all purpose flour
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 2 tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp salt
- 2 tsp ground cinnamon
- ½ cup unsweetened applesauce
- ½ cup Borges Walnut Nut Milk
- 2 large apples (granny smith, honey crisp or other crisp variety)
- Borges Classic Olive Oil, for frying
For the glaze:
- 3 cups powdered sugar
- 1/3 cup Borges Walnut Nut Milk
- ½ tsp pure vanilla extract
INSTRUCTIONS
- In a large bowl, add the flour, sugar, baking powder, salt and cinnamon and stir to combine.
- Now add the applesauce and Borges Walnut Nut Milk to the bowl with the dry ingredients and mix until just combined. Do not over mix. Fold in the diced apples.
- Heat 2 inches of Borges Classic Olive Oil in a large, heavy skillet or pot to about 375 degrees (you do need a thermometer). Scoop 1/3 cup of the apple fritter batter and place in the hot oil, spreading it down to flatten quite a bit. You can also first flatten them on a floured surface, then transfer carefully to the pot for frying.
- Cook on one side for about 2-3 minutes until golden brown, then flip with tongs and cook another 1-2 minutes until browned.
- Place the cooked fritters on a cooling rack with a pan or parchment paper underneath to catch any oil drippings, as well as to catch glaze later.
- Continue with all the batter until you have used it all, then turn off the heat.
- Make the glaze: Whisk the glaze ingredients together in a small-medium sized bowl until smooth, then dunk each fritter into it. Place back on rack to harden and drip. Wait a few minutes if possible for the glaze to harden before enjoying.
Vegan Apple Cider Donuts [4]
Photo: [LINK]
Warm your heart and taste buds with the comforting aroma of vegan apple cider donuts at your Christmas brunch. These delectable treats encapsulate the essence of the season, marrying the earthy richness of apple cider with a fluffy, vegan-friendly donut.
INGREDIENTS
- 1 ½ cups whole wheat pastry flour
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 1 ½ tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ tsp ground cinnamon
- ½ cup Borges Apple Cider Vinegar
- ¼ cup Borges Walnut Nut Milk
- 3 tbsp unsweetened applesauce
- 2 tbsp melted vegan butter or coconut oil
For topping:
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- 2 tsp ground cinnamon
- 4 tbsp melted vegan butter or coconut oil
INSTRUCTIONS
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F and spray a donut pan (or two if you have it) with non stick spray.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, salt and cinnamon.
- Pour in the Borges Apple Cider Vinegar, Borges Walnut Nut Milk, applesauce and melted vegan butter or coconut oil. Mix well with a large spoon to combine, but do not over mix.
- Spoon the batter into the donut pan, or use a piping bag with large tip to pipe it evenly into each donut cavity, filling about 3/4 of the way full.
- Bake for 8-10 minutes, until the edges are lightly golden brown and they spring back when lightly pressed.
- Cool in the pan for about 2 minutes, then invert onto a cooling rack. Continue with all of the remaining batter.
- While they are baking, make the topping: Stir together the sugar and cinnamon in a bowl, then melt the vegan butter or coconut oil in a separate bowl.
- Brush each donut with a little vegan butter or coconut oil on all sides, then dip into the sugar-cinnamon mixture to coat well. You could also just brush the top and sprinkle with cinnamon sugar instead of coating the entire donut.
- Enjoy! They are best served right away but can be kept in an airtight container for 2 days.
Reference:
[1] https://veganonboard.com/chocolate-salami/
[2] https://www.olivemagazine.com/recipes/vegan/vegan-brownies/
[3] https://www.noracooks.com/apple-fritters/
[4] https://www.noracooks.com/vegan-apple-cider-donuts/