I would like to talk to you today my friends about one of my favourite vegan cookbooks. The Joy of Vegan Baking: The Compassionate Cooks’ Traditional Treats and Sinful Sweets by Colleen Patrick-Goudreau. This was one of those books that I’d been eyeing when I’d peruse the cookbooks on various websites, but as is often the case, the international shipping would have been as expensive as the book itself! I managed to pick it up during my summer vacation to the US and I couldn’t be a more satisfied customer.
This is the most comprehensive “baking” book I’ve ever owned. It reminds me so much of the copy of the Better Home and Gardens baking book stationed next to the sugar canister and the oven during my childhood. Weighing somewhere around 15lbs, this huge tomb was my mother’s go to cookbook when she had a question or wanted to try to incorporate something new in her baking – that is how I would describe Joy of Baking. There is such an amazing collection of recipes here : your basic cookies, cakes, bars, cobblers and crisps, but it goes above and beyond with recipes like “Butterscotch Pudding” (and chocolate, and baked pumpkin), “Rugelach”, “Caramel Popcorn”, a huge choice of pie crusts (including raw!), sorbets, smoothies, Naan, pies, cheese cakes, cupcakes, frostings, sauces, waffels, biscuits, pancakes…the list is seemingly sans fin. Oh, and it is visually beautiful as well : loaded with glossy pages and lovely photographs.
Filled with homemade apricot jam…
Patrick-Goudreau’s introduction is engaging and informative, both for the veteran vegan and the vegan-curious, she’s included a fantastic section entitled : “The How-to’s and What-nots of Vegan Baking” with invaluable suggestions for subbing and switching up more traditional (and more cruel) ingredients. There is also a comprehensive appendix section with information on yields and equivalents, pan substitutes, a glossary, celebrational and seasonal suggestions… whew!
Cookie Model “Guppy” with Sugar Cookies, ready for the oven…
I have made so many things from this book, it’s crazy! Some of our favourites are the “Sugar Cookie” and “Royal Icing” recipes, the “Pastry Cream” (custard) and “Vanilla Cupcakes” (which makes a perfect white cake) are also amongst our favourites.
Guppy was snubbing my orange pumpkins for pink & blue sprinkles…
There are so many recipes in this book that it will take me a lifetime to go through them all, and that’s what I love about it! These recipes will accompany my family for years to come!
I’d also like to say that it is through her cookbook that I have come to appreciate Ms. Patrick-Goudreau and her advocacy efforts. I’ve become a regular listener to her podcasts at Vegetarian Food For Thought, and am thrilled to have such an articulate and cultivated person fighting for the animals. Her podcasts are always thoughtful and thought-provoking, and I especially love that she highlights short fiction which has a lien or link to animals and animal rights. You can learn more about her by visiting Compassionate Cooks.
I want Guppy to help me make cookies too! She’s so cute!
Il y a longtemps, j’ai fait une recette de ce livre et c’a ete un desastre! Je vais jetter un nouveau coup d’oeil, mais seulement pour toi!
Thanks for sharing your thoughts on this book. You’ve inspired me to take a second look at it!
“Guppy” is adorable!
I love Guppy and the colored sugar. She’s beautiful! You make great looking recipes from The Joy of Vegan Baking, I’ve been noticing you mention it for awhile. I’ve been trying not to increase my cookbook collection but this is getting too tempting!
I have a serious cookbook addiction and now I have a new one to add to my Amazon wish list!
Guppy est mimi comme tout! j’aimerais bien avoir de l’aide pour cuisiner.
Those sugar cookies look amazing…way better than the sad, overly crispy version I’ve been attempting the last few years. I’m going to have to pick up this book soon! Thanks for the review.
Thanks for this review. I found her podcasts so informative and inspirational when I was a new vegan.
You’ve certainly sold me! Maybe I’ll check it out at the library first.
everything looks so delicious!
Very cute that little Guppy! You always make me so hungry. Looks like a great book.
That Guppy is too cute!
This sounds like a great resource book as well as a cookbook. I’ve flipped through it in the bookstore several times, but unfrotunately she uses many conventional ingredients that are taboo for me. But the photos did look nice!
Your little helper is just precious!
I can see how the extra information in JOVB is helpful to you. I haven’t been overwhelmed by this book, but I think I was expecting something more than basic recipes. Your cookies sure look good! Maybe I’ll give it a second chance.
Virginia,
I wals also turned off by the Ener-g in some of the recipes, especially since it isn’t available here in France. I weighed out the pros and cons and realized that there were plenty of recipes without Ener-g, and I admit that I bought some when in the US to make the ones that do call for it.