FAQ

These are some questions about vegan baking (mostly) that I get a lot, so here is a comprehensive Q&A. Also with some questions I made up.

Q: What do you use to replace eggs?
A: There are lots of ways, depending on the recipe. Applesauce, banana, pumpkin puree, 1 tablespoon ground flax seed mixed with 3 tablespoons water, soy yogurt, and many more. 1/4 cup of any of those replaces one egg. Applesauce may add a “healthy” flavor to a recipe, banana will make it taste like banana, pumpkin will add a hint of flavor, flax will make it slightly nutty, and soy yogurt doesn’t really impart a flavor, so use those ingredients with caution or use them appropriately. My personal favorite is making this soymilk/cornstarch goo by dissolving 1 tablespoon cornstarch in 1/2 cup soy milk and heating it up (either over the stove or in the microwave) until thick like pudding. Let cool and add to your recipe where it calls for two eggs.
I’ve memorized this answer exactly from answering it so much during the Vegan Cookie Connoisseur tour! I can say it in super speed too. Video response here instead, perhaps?

Q: What are your favorite recipes in the book?
A: Chocolate Peppermint Cream Bars for really impressing people, Hypnosis Cookies to bring the fancy, and Double Chocolate Chip Cookies for a straight up chocolate fudgy cookie that’s easy to make.

Q: How long did the book take to make? When did you make it?
A: Three years total. I started in summer 2007 right before my junior year of high school and spent the next two years baking, writing the recipes, testing, and writing the book. I got the book deal December 2009 and the majority of the process of creating the book with the publisher was finished summer 2010, for a November 2010 release. I promise the next one won’t take so long.

Q: Do you have plans for a new book?
A: Yes. I’m working on it right now.

Q: Do you want to open a bakery someday?
A: Yes!

Q: How do you have time to go to school full time and do this?
A: I don’t sleep much!

Q: What are your favorite meals or desserts at vegan (or vegan-friendly) restaurants?

  • The Radical Reuben with a side of sweet potato fries and a cookie dough chai milkshake at The Chicago Diner
  • Brownie Sundae at Lula’s Sweet Apothecary in NYC
  • Toasty Crispy Sandwich at Souley Vegan in Oakland
  • Seitan Philly at The Riverwest Co-op in Milwaukee
  • Vegan Deep Fried Ribs at The Comet Cafe in Milwaukee (before they replaced the homemade seitan inside with Field Roast! I like Field Roast, but not in this application)
  • Fresh Orb Crepe, a garbanzo bean crepe with basil, tomato, Daiya, lemon, and truffle oil, from Satellite Crepes food cart in Milwaukee
  • Peanut Butter Bomb at Vegan Treats in Bethlehem, PA
  • Quesadillas de calabaza, refried beans, and flan at Gracias Madre in San Francisco. That’s the only meal I had there, so it’s my default favorite
  • Comments are closed.