Elaine's Top 10 Essentials for Vegan Home Baking

Elaine's Top 10 Essentials for Vegan Home Baking

Are you thinking of going vegan, but hate letting go of egg- and butter-based decadent, sweet treats? Well, you don't have to give up cakes or muffins just because you're vegan! To find out diet-friendly ways of creating amazing pastries, we consulted food blogger, Elaine (@wandering_chickpea), for her top 10 picks for began home baking.

She says, "I think a lot of people are a little nervous to dive into the world of vegan baking because they worry a cookie that's free of animal products will just never measure up to its traditional counterpart. 

Well, it turns out that making delicious plant-based desserts at home is actually pretty easy when you know a few simple tips and tricks! The following products are a few of my go-to's for making delicious vegan treats that even non-vegans will love."
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Elaine Skiadas
Food Blogger

On my blog, Wandering Chickpea, I share creative recipes inspired by my passion for healthy eating as well as my love for good food. I’m a strong believer th... See More

  • Spectrum Organic Ground Premium Flaxseed Image 1
    Source：amazon.com

    Spectrum
    Organic Ground Premium Flaxseed

    Elaine Skiadas

    Ground flaxseed is a great replacement for eggs in many recipes because it works as a natural binder. Just mix in two tablespoons of water for every one tablespoon of flax! Let the mixture sit for a few minutes to thicken then simply add it in with the rest of your wet ingredients. 

    It does have a slightly nutty flavor, so I like to use ground flax whenever I make baked oatmeal, whole-grain muffins, or oatmeal cookies. Not only does it help keep your baked goods in one piece, but flaxseed is also loaded with healthy fats and antioxidants!
    $13.10
  • Nasoya Extra Firm Tofu Image 1
    Source：walmart.com

    Nasoya
    Extra Firm Tofu

    Elaine Skiadas

    Extra-firm tofu is one of my favorite ingredients for making rich, creamy desserts. Made from soybeans, tofu is cheap, easy to find, and mild in flavor. You can easily blend it up with a few other ingredients for an easy cheesecake filling or vegan pudding. 

    When blended, tofu is naturally creamy, so it also works well as a lighter alternative to butter in various frosting recipes. These are just a few ideas, there’s so much more you can do with just a block of tofu!
    $2.64
  • Earth Balance Vegan Buttery Sticks Image 1
    Source：amazon.com

    Earth Balance
    Vegan Buttery Sticks

    Elaine Skiadas

    I think everyone can agree that butter is an essential part of baking! But while I’m all for healthy, all-natural desserts, it’s ok to indulge once in a while. Earth Balance buttery sticks are my favorite plant-based butter.

    They’re solid at room temperature and melt when heated. Like traditional butter, each stick is about a half cup so it makes measuring super easy. I use Earth Balance as a one-to-one substitute for butter in traditional recipes such as cobblers, crisps, pancakes, and frosting.
    $4.69
  • Nasoya Organic Silken Tofu Image 1
    Source：nasoya.com

    Nasoya
    Organic Silken Tofu

    Elaine Skiadas

    Similar to extra firm tofu, silken tofu is made from soybeans so it’s high in protein and has a pretty mild flavor. It’s softer than extra firm tofu so I like to use it as a base for chocolate mousse and other lighter, creamier desserts that aren’t as firm as say, a cheesecake. 

    For a simple two-ingredient dessert, try blending a package of silken tofu together with about a cup of melted semisweet chocolate. Pour the mixture into small bowls and chill overnight. The chocolate will solidify in the fridge for a rich and creamy treat.
    $4.19
  • Silk Unsweetened Organic Soymilk Image 1
    Source：amazon.com

    Silk
    Unsweetened Organic Soymilk

    Elaine Skiadas

    My favorite plant-based milk has pretty much always been Unsweetened Soy Milk by Silk. I always prefer to use unsweetened ingredients in my baked goods so I can have full control over the sweetness of the final product. 


    I love using soy milk because it’s high in protein and has a similar amount of fat as dairy milk. It also works great as a one-to-one substitute in just about any recipe. I use it for anything from pancakes to cupcakes to vegan egg washes. It’s super versatile and I highly recommend making this one a pantry staple.
    $12.49
  • Bragg Organic Raw Unfiltered Apple Cider Vinegar with Mother Image 1
    Source：walmart.com

    Bragg
    Organic Raw Unfiltered Apple Cider Vinegar with Mother

    Elaine Skiadas

    Apple cider vinegar is often touted as a cure-all superfood, but turns out that it’s also useful in vegan baking! Because it’s an acid, apple cider vinegar works in tandem with baking soda to help make baked goods light and fluffy. It can also be mixed with non-dairy milk to create tangy buttermilk, making it perfect for vegan buttermilk pancakes or moist muffins. 


    I like to use Bragg apple cider vinegar because it's organic and unprocessed. It also contains the "mother" which is what makes the liquid so murky. The mother contains minerals, various enzymes, and nutrients that make apple cider vinegar so beneficial.
    $6.49
  • Enjoy Life Semi Sweet Chocolate Mini Chips Image 1
    Source：amazon.com

    Enjoy Life
    Semi Sweet Chocolate Mini Chips

    Elaine Skiadas

    Because all the best desserts have chocolate, my go-to has always been Enjoy Life semisweet mini chocolate chips. They’re not only vegan but also free of the top eight allergens and made in a dedicated allergy-friendly facility. 

    The brand also sells chocolate bars, chocolate chunks, and dark chocolate chips, but the mini chips are my favorite for baking. I like to use them for gooey chocolate chip cookies, chocolate ganache, brownies, and so much more! The possibilities with chocolate are pretty much endless.
    $5.99
  • Thai Kitchen Gluten Free Unsweetened Coconut Cream Image 1
    Source：amazon.com

    Thai Kitchen
    Gluten Free Unsweetened Coconut Cream

    Elaine Skiadas

    Coconut cream is the solid white part in a can of full fat, unsweetened coconut milk. It’s rich, creamy and super fatty (the good kind!), making it perfect for cream-based desserts like pies and whipped cream. 


    You can sometimes find a can of just coconut cream, but, if you can't, just place a can of coconut milk in the refrigerator. Wait a few hours for it to harden then scrape off the solid layer at the top. Allow the coconut cream to come back to room temperature before using it so it's easier to combine with other ingredients.
    $18.18
  • 365 By Whole Foods Market Unsweetened Organic Apple Sauce Image 1
    Source：amazon.com

    365 By Whole Foods Market
    Unsweetened Organic Apple Sauce

    Elaine Skiadas

    Vegan baked goods, particularly cakes and muffins, often get a bad reputation for being dry and crumbly. One way to fix this is by adding a little unsweetened apple sauce to the batter before baking. This helps keep the crumb moist while baking. Apple sauce can also be used in place of oil if you’re trying to cut back on fat. 


    I wouldn’t recommend leaving out the oil completely, but the applesauce will help keep your baked goods from drying out. Again, I always use unsweetened ingredients in order to have full control over the sweetness of my baked goods. As apple sauce does already contain some natural sugar, keep that in mind as you use it in your baking.
    $2.69
  • Eden Organic Canned Garbanzo Bean Image 1
    Source：amazon.com

    Eden
    Organic Canned Garbanzo Bean

    Elaine Skiadas

    Aquafaba has been a relatively recent discovery for me. It’s pretty magical. It turns out that the liquid from a can of chickpeas (aquafaba) can be whipped into stiff peaks just like egg whites! All you need is a stand or hand mixer and a bit of cream of tarter to add some stability. 


    I'm still discovering new ways to use aquafaba, but it's perfect for making whipped cream, meringues, pavlova, macaroons, and even vegan butter! Just make sure you use the liquid from canned chickpeas, not freshly boiled ones, as it has a greater potency and whips up better.
    $3.49