Rich And Moist #Vegan OREO Cake Recipe

Please Note: Some OREO products may be exposed to milk cross-contamination in the production process. 100 Calorie OREO Thin Crisps and other varieties are listed on PETA's approved 'accidentally vegan' list. While OREO cookies are commonly considered appropriate for Vegans, your personal diet and beliefs may require closer scrutiny when choosing which OREO product to include in your recipes. The following content is not sponsored. Enjoy!

Momma Told Me: The absence of something doesn't always take away from the overall experience.

As you know, last year, I began exploring a variety of alternate food styles and playing with various recipes that meet restrictive diets. Not because I, personally, was ready to scratch these things off my everyday diet, but because I find the creativity involved with recipe development and unique substitutions makes for a more pure eating experience overall. Have you ever noticed the fewer ingredients in a recipe the more each individual ingredient and flavor stands out? When we're forced to scrutinize what goes into our food we naturally develop a stronger appreciation for the profiles and flavors being created.

Vegan and Paleo were high on my list of experimentation last year- while, for me, Paleo has proved the toughest transition, Vegan can feel  much like 'normal' eating. Naturally, the bigger concern with observing Vegan diets is the respect to those who call themselves Vegan. My very first recipe involved honey, and I quickly learned to substitute honey with maple or agave- as bees are living creatures involved in the creation of honey, and it is not deemed a Vegan product. While we could go deeper into the culture and beliefs behind the Vegan lifestyle I'd much rather open your eyes through this delicious recipe. My Vegan OREO cake was, without a doubt, the most popular recipe I shared among family and friends in 2015. It was also my personal choice for my own birthday cake.

Maybe you have or haven't heard a certain sandwich cookie brand is 'Vegan.' Well, truth be told, only a few OREO varieties make the official PETA accepted 'Accidentally Vegan' list. While all Vegans I know offline consume OREO cookies regularly, the maker of OREO cookies lists the majority of their products not suitable for strict Vegan consumption due to the potential of cross contamination with milk. Consider this similar to a person with a nut allergy eating fruit leather produced on a manufacturer's line that has handled peanuts. While, in theory, OREO cookies are designed to be Vegan, chocolate dipped varieties and such do contain milk ingredients that may come in contact with other OREO products.

With that in mind this recipe can be made entirely without the OREO cookie garnish- or garnished with one of the approved PETA OREO varieties if you are looking for a strict Vegan experience. The cake and frosting components are completely animal byproduct free and mimic many of the ingredients and processes involved in making traditional OREO cookies.

This cake is sure to appeal to traditional diets just as much as it does those who are Vegan because of it's unique textures and flavors which mirror the OREO cookie experience. The cake itself is very dense with an almost malty dark cocoa flavor and reminds me of a soft OREO cheesecake crust, or even cake-like brownie. The frosting spreads like OREO filling and has the flavor of such, but slightly fluffier, with a melt-in-your-mouth effect that pairs perfectly with the dense cake.

The Vegan OREO Cake is not overly rich- I find I can enjoy a decent sized slice without feeling weighed down or guilty. The sweet component is there, but really, it just begs for a tall glass of, erm, coconut milk? While I've made this cake a few times now I wouldn't suggest transitioning it into cupcake form as I feel the smaller portions of batter might tend to dry out or overcook easily if not highly monitored.I find a 2 layer 6" pan cake is perfect for a celebration of 5-6 people.

As we move into 2016 I find myself more and more fascinated by Vegan concepts that mimic classic and favorite foods. I've been dabbling with a Samoa cookie recipe that promises to be better than the actual thing (Girl Scout Cookies) by the time I'm done tweaking it. As we move through the year I hope to become more adventurous and play with Vegan entrees and savory foods. They do so intimidate me- for now, I'm content keeping a fridge full of black bean patties and tofu nuggets. Have you tried a Vegan recipe that surprised you? If so what was it? If not, what recipe would you be interested in trying in a Vegan format?

What Daughter Says: Vegan has a bad rap among carnivores- but it's really a matter of cleaner eating. You'd be surprised what you can discover if you open your mind and palette.

Vegan OREO Cake

***Click here for printable Vegan OREO Cake recipe

+++I wanted to note, as indicated in the post above I authored this recipe as a new Vegan baker. This was a few years back, now, and I have since made the recipe several more times. As with traditional baking, Vegan baking is a sensitive art and the ingredients you use will impact the colors/flavors/etc of your final result. I do not give exact brands because naming brands in posts shows brand loyalty I am unfortunately penalized for when I go to partner with brands I use on a paid basis in the future. If you have questions about specifics or working, or brands, please feel free to email me!

Vegan Paleo Mock Snickers Bars Recipe

Momma Told Me: When you get bored, challenge yourself.

While you certainly see a fair range of indulgent, not so good for you, treats and recipes cross your screen on this blog, I have found that anyone truly can cook scrumptious food. As Paula Deen infers adding a pat of butter to any recipe will surely make it instantly more delicious. And, while out Circus Animal Cookie Truffles have gotten decent traffic on Pinterest, I shudder every time I see or create a recipe that is merely mashing 2 or 3 already delicious ingredients together. Do you drizzle hot fudge on ice cream and call it a recipe? Yes, even I have my limits.

While making indulgent treats is satisfying, and I surely will continue to play with simple recipes that wow the eyes and tickle the taste buds in unexpected ways, I've recently found myself a little bored in the kitchen. I've also recently re-joined a local gym. Before you start congratulating me, I'll be the first to admit getting heart healthy is a multi-part journey and daily workouts will only go as far as overall health and core attainment. I'm not quite ready to turn in my frozen yogurt spoon, but these two ripples in my life have made me more aware of the dietary needs of others around me.
Every Thursday I bake something to share here on the blog, and bring it into the bowling alley for our mixed adult bowling league. Our teams are comprised of men and women, young and old, from all walks of life. As delicious as my sweet treats are, not everyone can enjoy them. We have several diabetics I try to accommodate with recipe variations, and now a team that is taking on a month long Paleo challenge. Couple this with our close friend who is celebrating a year as a Vegan and you have the perfect storm of recipe challenges. So I set out to create a No Sugar Added Paleo Vegan Friendly dessert recipe.

The more I researched the more I learned that several of the key ingredients in cooking for each need overlapped- the exception being Honey, which is considered an animal byproduct to most modern Vegans. For those unfamiliar with Paleo, which is actually a way of living more than a literal 'weight loss' style diet, the terms are fairly flexible to the person committing to it.

At it's core Paleo individuals do not consume processed or artificial foods and attempt to eat ingredients that would closely mimic that of a caveman's. This means a diet rich in protein and nutrient dense core ingredients like grass few beef, wild caught seafood and vegetables. Most Paleo followers will avoid sugar, gluten, and generally anything with 'artificial' in the ingredients list. While it can be fairly complex, depending on the person, consider it close to an Organic, low  sugar, gluten free diet that tends to lean towards raw or minimally handled ingredients.

Many low sugar recipes and Paleo recipes will substitute several typical ingredients with coconut- which can tend to be an allergen for some. If you are suing coconut oil, butter, or flour in a recipe always make the recipients aware when serving. While most coconut allergies deal more directly with the pulp of the plant, raw oils can cause mild allergic reactions and should always be disclosed. If you are cooking low sugar and sweetening with a recipe that calls for honey, but would like a Vegan substitute, in most cases Maple Syrup will be a great alternative. There is also a Vegan apple plant based honey, which is entirely bee free, called Honee, sold online and in many organic or Whole Foods stores.

Acquiring the ingredients to cook just one of these categories (Vegan, Paleo, Sugar Free) will often cost a fair penny. The good news is that you can acquire nearly any ingredient necessary at Whole Foods, or a similar store, and in portions that will easily stretch through multiple recipes. If you're looking to begin cooking, or dabbling with, these categories, consider each shopping trip an investment. Chances are your spice rack wasn't built overnight, and neither will this arsenal of cooking tools.

These Vegan Paleo Mock Snickers Bars contain no added sweetener (aside from the natural Honee plant based sugars) and a dash of Agave syrup may be added to any layer if you desire a slightly sweeter end result. My bowling mates rarely ever question what I've made each week and these bites/bars disappeared quickly! Several people were floored to hear just how 'good for you' this dessert was, and a few even asked for the recipe. So, if you're in the fence, I'd say it's definitely a recipe worth trying. Not only are these the perfect treat (a little goes a long way to satisfy) but they can be frozen for enjoyment later as well! Do you have, or know anyone with, any special dietary restrictions you struggle to cook for?

What Daughter Says: This year I'm going to challenge myself in all aspects of my life, not because I need to, but because I want to!

Vegan Paleo Mock Snickers Bars

*** Click here for printable Mock Snickers Bars recipe.