Whether you are making breakfast in bed for your love, or your kids. Having a sweet lunch date, or a romanic dinner, these are tried and true dishes are easy to prepare, but seem like you spent WAY to much time in the kitchen, shhhh I wont tell if you don't, haha. I'll be making some of these for my family on Valentine's Day. I hope you enjoy your Valentine's Day and treat yourself with the same amount of love you are giving to others, because YOU deserve it! MUCH LOVE~ Des!
BREAKFAST-
Oat pancakesThese pancakes are easy even on a weekday.
Breakfast SausageWe always have sausage in the freezer ready to heat up for any special occasion when you want to seem like your going that extra mile without much work involved.
LUNCH- Creamy Baked Pasta can be prepped the night before. Make the sauce and pasta put in the oven safe dish cover and pop in the fridge. When your ready to bake top with bread crumbs and pop it in the oven. I'll be really honest... it's delicious without the bread crumbs and extra step of baking.
DESSERT- Chocolate Cake this is such an easy cake that literally takes no time and you probably have everything you need on hand.
Chocolate Chip Cookies are something that we take when our kids need to have options and share with others so if you or your kids are having a Valentine' day party make these and everyone will thank you!
I have to admit I don't really eat a ton of pumpkin dishes or desserts. I did love pumpkin pie before going vegan, and I had a pumpkin spice latte a time or... twenty back then too. But, I haven't ever really been one to make pumpkin cakes or pumpkin brownies. So, here I am telling you I was an idiot, haha. Why didn't you tell me what I was missing?! This Pumpkin Crumb Cake rocked my world! It was so good, I could eat it breakfast, snack, lunch, snack, dinner, and dessert and a bed time snack,which I never do but definitely would if it was this cake!! As per usual it's spiced with the great pumpkin spices that we all love. I leave the measurements of each up to the spice makers because I don't have the patience to figure out which spices I like and of how much. I have tried a few pumpkin spice varieties and I really like this one by.... Ok so I'm done telling you how wonderful this recipe is it's time to make it and devour it for yourself.
Here's what I did: Line a baking dish with parchment paper. I used a fancy oval one but a practical square 8x8 one is great too. Preheat your oven to 350 F. In a mixing bowl add the wet ingredients and mix then add the dry ingredients.
Mix just until combined and no dry flour is left, don't over mix or it will be tough. Add the cake batter to the prepared baking dish. Now, on to the Crumb topping!! It's my favorite! In a mixing bowl (I scrap the cake batter bowl really well, so I just use it, remember I hate doing dishes!) Add the Crumb ingredients in the order listed to make a nice crunchy topping.
Crumb Topping:
1/2 Cup of Pecans
1/4 Cup of Flour
1/4 Cup of Organic Brown Sugar or any that I listed above
2 teaspoons Maple Syrup
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon or pumpkin pie spice
Ok, I know that's 2 different sweeteners. Let me explain. You can use just 1/4 cup of maple and leave out the brown sugar but the brown sugar coated on the pecan with the maple syrup is SO GOOD. It make this amazing candy coating on the pecans that I can't get with out both, so you decide what you want to do. I'll love you no matter what!
Mix It all together and evenly top the cake with the Crumb Topping. Pop in the pre heated oven for about 30 minutes. If the top starts to brown and the cake isn't done, cover it with foil. After about 30 minutes. I always do the tooth pick test, in the center and see if it comes out clean, if not pop it back in for about 5 more minutes, test it... you get the idea. Don't over bake it will dry out. When it's done, let it cool for about 10 minutes before cutting.
If you make this please please please tag me on social media and let me see your creation! Much LOVE~ Des!
Please follow us on social media! I LOVE connecting with you all so much! Here's where you can find us, we are The Plant Eaters on all of them, or you can click the links and you'll find us! Don’t forget to snap a picture and tag us on social media!
Here's the recipe video if you're interested in see how it comes together
Recipe inspiration Vegan Richa Vegan Coffee Cake
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Ethan's birthday was the end April and you know we had to make cake!!
He had a great birthday! I can't believe he's 10 years old! He is the most loving and kind boy you will ever know. His love is endless, and his compassion for every living being AMAZES me everyday. It is my honor and privilege to be his momma! Love you sweet boy! He wanted a traditional frosting so we used Fluffy White by Duncan Hines. You can top this with your favorite vegan frosting here is a link to Peta (scroll down to "baking") for frostings that are accidentally vegan.
I however don't eat processed or refined oils due to my history of gall bladder attacks (another story for another time, soon I promise) and, it's just "not my food". I feel my best when I keep it as close to Whole Foods plant-based (always vegan) as I can. That being said I had to have cake with my son on his birthday! The epic picture at the top of the post, was my Incredible "Guiltless" Chocolate Cake and it really is the best cake I've made. I hope you make this cake and tag me on all the social media outlets you have! I'm theplanteaters everywhere, haha. Instagram @theplanteaters. Enough talking here's the recipe. Directions: Prepare a spring form pan or 9x9 baking dish with parchment paper. Preheat oven 375 F. Mix all dry ingredients in a large bowl Ingredients: 1 1/2 cups whole wheat pastry flour or all purpose 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder 1 teaspoon baking soda 1 teaspoon baking powder pinch of salt (optional) To a bowl or large measuring cup Add 1 cup Almond milk or any plant milk 1 1/2 tablespoon vinegar 1/2 cup Coconut sugar (or Organic sugar of choice) 1/4 cup unsweetened applesauce 1 teaspoon vanilla extract. Mix until smooth. Pour batter into prepared pan and bake for 20-25 mins. test with a tooth pick after 20 mins. if it's not done cook for 2 more mins. then test again. Do not over bake that would be a travesty! Let it cool completely. Add your topping of choice, I highly recommend the below it's so good. Topping: Dust powdered sugar on top. I used Homemade powdered sugar (just add Organic sugar to your blender and blend until a fine powder). Drizzle Chocolate sauce on top. I mixed Cocoa powder and maple syrup until a I got a drizzle consistency. Add maple syrup slowly until it comes together. Top with a beautiful strawberry or Raspberry. ENJOY! Here's the video of me and Scarlet making the cake for Ethan's birthday!
