HookedOnPlants

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vegan chocolate

5 Vegan Easter Treats that will Blow Away Your Bunny Ears

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Easter was a huge deal when I was a kidlet.

Painted Easter Eggs, a string to follow that would lead me to the hidden chocolates under the couch and behind pillows, then a big kids Easter Egg hunt all over the forest with one mega, sought after chocolate bunny prize.

Why that doesn’t happen on Easter day anymore as a young at heart adult? I DON’T KNOW. Bring it back, please. When did we all grow up and think we’ve outgrown easter egg hunting? We’re all kids at heart, and that kinda stuff should continue on whether it’s for the new generation of kids, or just for yourself. Because you deserve to be a kid always, and forever.

Anyways… I thought I’d bring some Vegan Easter Treats to you that will complete your weekend  from some of my favourite veganista blogerellas. Hopefully this brings some nostalgia back to your Easter, or at least amps it up with a bit more deliciousness.

Peanut Better Balls  by Oh She Glows

Why I love em’:

  • 7 ingredients
  • Taste like Reeces pieces
  • Finger food heaven

Vegan Chocolate Creme Eggs by It Doesn’t Taste Like Chicken

Why I love em’:

  • Just look at the creamy rainbow falling out of them!
  • They’re just fun.
  • Just like Cabury MINUS the dairy
  • Playful and perfect for making with the kids

Vegan Easter Cookies by Vegan Family Recipes

Why I love em’:

  • They’re coloured with turmeric, beet and matcha powder
  • They’re totally dip-able
  • They’re ready in 20
  • They wake up the creative side, and I’d most def’ be making them with my Grandma if she made a visit this weekend

Cashew Cream Egg by Nest and Glow

Why I love em’:

  • They’re on the healthier side (so we can all eat more)
  • Look how pretty they are!

Vegan Sachertorte by Moi and Mom

Why I love it:

  • A fool proof, dense, chocolate cake that is loved by all every time
  • It’s chocolate heaven
  • It’s ridiculously easy

ok…NOW I’M DROOLING.

Are you?

Here’s a few more Egg-y and Chocolate-y tips:

  1. Check out Pamela Fergusson’s blog post for a dozen things you need to know about eggs (this will enlighten you about the reasons why I steer clear of them…even on Easter)
  2. Ready to eat vegan Easter answers:

If you make any of these, tag me and the blogger so we can see your creations!

Happy Easter.

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Energizing Orange Pecan Chocolate Mushroom Vegan Fudge

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The other day I was flippin’ through my fave mag (Veg News) and luckily came across a drool-effect vegan fudge recipe by Jackie Sobon (Vegan Yack Attack). I say ‘luckily’ because… now you get to bask in the introduction to this decadent, melt-in-your-mouth fudge. I switched it up a bit to create what is seen here: Orange Pecan Chocolate Mushroom Vegan Fudge. It’s a mouthful…of AMAZINGNESS!!!

You can even benefit from eating this delicious dessert-y concoction.

I amped up her fudge recipe by adding in some Stay Wyld Organics medicinal mushroom goodness, and even a scoop of the simplest, cleanest Complement Protein powder.

The protein powder is a fave around here. 4 ingredients, and each one is stated on the front of the biodegradable bag in percentages.

And medicinal mushrooms? Well, they’re adaptogens, and they help bring your body back to homeostasis (in other words, balance everything out and help you deal with daily stressors).

Plus, they’re PACKED to the nines with antioxidants. Chaga especially is an antioxidant powerhouse.

Think of adaptogens as as a calming Grandmother, who brings you back down to earth when craziness hits the fan. If your adrenals are wired, they’ll help slow them down. If you’re immune system is out of wack, they’ll strengthen it up. If your mood swings are as steep as the Eiffel Tower, they’ll do their best to calm them back down to the flat-ness of the Saskatchewan plains kind of level.

Reishi, Lion’s Mane, Cordyceps, Turkey Tail and Chaga… each of them have their special unique beneficial traits. Whether you want more focus, more energy, less anxiety or more immunity, they’ve got you. Today we’re adding Cordyceps to the mix to make this fudge super energizing.

Not only does this fudge bring on plant protien and mushroom benefits… but it also shines for what it doesn’t have.

No dairy: No cream. No butter. No milk.

Yet, it’s still incredibly decadent, creamy, fudge-y and mouth-wateringly heavenly.


Orange Pecan Mushroom Fudge - Adapted from Vegan Yack Attack
 
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A vegan, melt-in-your-mouth fudge with adaptogenic medicinal mushrooms! An energizing and delicious gift for the holidays, to your loved ones... or yourself!!
Author:
Recipe type: dessert, holidays
Ingredients
  • 4 cups vegan dark chocolate chips
  • ¼ cup vegan butter
  • 1 cup full fat coconut milk (the solid taken from the coconut milk can)
  • ⅓ cup maple syrup
  • 1 teaspoon orange extract (peppermint would be great too!)
  • 2-4 tsp Stay Wyld Cordyceps powder 
  • ¾ cup dried cranberries (save ¼ for the topping)
  • ¾ cup pecans, chopped (save ¼ for the topping)
  • 2 tbsp orange zest (half for the topping)
  • 1 tsp sea salt
Instructions
  1. Lightly greece an 8 x 8 baking dish with butter or coconut oil.
  2. Fill medium sized pot with 2-3 inches of water, and warm it up over medium heat.
  3. Create a double boiler by placing a steel or glass bowl over the pot.
  4. Add chocolate chips, coconut milk, maple syrup, vegan butter and orange extract.
  5. Whisk occasionally until smooth (about 5-8 minutes)
  6. Add the mushroom powder, whisk until smooth.
  7. Remove the bowl from the heat and fold in ½ cup cranberries, ½ cup pecans, 1 tbsp orange zest.
  8. Pour fudge mixture into the prepared baking dish (spread evenly)
  9. Sprinkle the toppings on there (1/24 cup each of cranberries and pecans, 1 tbsp orange zest, sea salt)
  10. Place in the fridge for 1 hour before serving.
  11. Chop it up and enjoy (place chunks in mason jars for an amazing Christmas present)

If you make this tag: @hookedonplants @vegnews @veganyackattack @staywyldorganics @lovecomplement on instagram so we can see!

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Chocolate Green Smoothie Popsicles | Detox Pops

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There’s a whole lot of hidden green goodness in these babies! Chocolate green smoothie popsicles…..

A frosty treat? Yes.

A refreshing snack? Uh huh.

A mega-dose of nutrients? Totes.

A smoothie on a stick? HELLS YA

… all drizzled with vegan chocolate.

There are smoothie pops, and then there are these. They’re creamy with almond milk, sweet with banana, and incredibly easy with Chelsie’s Blender Bites.

Chelsie is a genius. She had the problem that most of us have when it comes to smoothie making.

Here’s how it goes:

  • Take every piece of produce out of the fridge
  • Throw a bit of everything in the blender
  • Add your powders
  • Add your frozen fruit
  • Then, WHA-BAM!! A tornado has now graced your kitchen.

The Blender Bites makes it an easy affair with no clean up. They’re little frozen pucks packed with greens, fruit, and superfoods that you just throw into your blender with the liquid of choice and maybe a banana (or not), and call it a smoothie. SO ridiculously easy.

I love local companies (Chelsie makes all of the frozen pucks in Vancouver), especially when they add so much ease to my morning.

I went a little further than your typical smoothie today to create these frosty treats!

Read on for the recipe if you want a super healthy pop, still packed with flavour and drizzled in chocolate goodness (totally optional) to slap that junk food craving in the face.


5.0 from 1 reviews
Chocolate Green Smoothie Popsicles | Detox Pops
 
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A hidden greens popsicle that cures that frosty treat craving!
Author:
Recipe type: dessert, breakfast, snack
Serves: 5
Ingredients

  • Popsicles:
  • 2 blender bite pucks
  • 2 bananas
  • 1 cup vanilla or chocolate plant milk (almond, coconut, hemp, soy, pea or cashew)

  • Chocolate Drizzle:
  • ¼ cup vegan chocolate chips
  • 1 tsp coconut oil
Instructions
  1. Blend popsicle ingredients until smooth.
  2. Pour mixture into popsicle molds and freeze overnight.
  3. Make chocolate drizzle by microwaving chocolate and oil together in a bowl for 30 seconds (can also be melted in a double boilerset up). Take out and whisk immediately until smooth.
  4. Pull out popsicles (run under warm water for 10 seconds to make it easier to pull them out), and lay them on a plate.
  5. Drizzle chocolate over top, then place in freezer for 5 minutes.
  6. Enjoy!

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This week was all about the 3 supplements you should be taking! The one spray I take each day is Complement, because it has all that you need in one go! You can use HOOKEDONPLANTS at the check out for 10% off.

Hot For You Caramel Cacao Bites | Vegan | Gluten-Free

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This Valentines, you’ll be needing decadent, melt-in-your-mouth, sweet and sultry caramel cacao bites for your honey (who are we kidding…these happy bombs are as much for your self as they are for anyone else).

Are you in for some whole food dessert goodness? I’ve got you covered.

Dates and cacao are two of nature’s superfoods, and this time they make an amazingly sinful-tasting dessert that is actually benefiting your bod’.

Perfection.

The chewy base with the chocolate-y layer provides you with a melt-in-your-mouth experience you’ll be dying for over and over again. And that’s ok, because they’re tiny bites, with a nutritional punch.

A spicy surprise aftertaste gives these Hot For You Bites babies their name. The cayenne pepper in here is great for blood flow too, so that’s a bonus!:)

Benefits:

  • Cacao (the purest form of chocolate) has 40 times the antioxidants of blueberries and a whole bunch of magnesium for your heart and brain. Perfect for your valentine.
  • Cayenne pepper  increases your circulation and detoxifies your digestive system.
  • Dates are an amazing source of soluble fibre, an energy booster and increase your sexual stamina! Plus, if you drink too much champagne this Valentines, dates actually have a sobering effect. Perfect for the end of your night before you hit the hay.  Again, perfect for your Valentine.

 

 

Hot For You Caramel Cacao Bites | Vegan | Gluten-Free
 
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A melt-in-your-mouth whole foods dessert that tastes sinful, but packs a nutritional punch. Perfect for sharing with your valentine (or yourself;)
Author:
Recipe type: dessert, valentines, vegan dessert, snack
Serves: 20 bites
Ingredients
  • 2 tbsp shredded coconut **optional

  • Caramel layer:
  • 1 cup pitted dates (soaked for 10 minutes to soften)
  • ¼ cup almond butter
  • 2 tablespoons water, or more as needed
  • ½ tsp vanilla
  • 2 tablespoons coconut oil

  • Chocolate coating:
  • ⅓ cup melted coconut oil
  • ¼ cup cacao powder
  • ¼ cup maple syrup
  • ¼ tsp cayenne powder
Instructions
  1. Make caramel sauce: blend all caramel sauce ingredients in blender or food processor until smooth.
  2. Spread layer of caramel along bottom of silicone mold or muffin paper in a muffin tin. I find using a silicone mold is the best option, and easiest to pop out the bites after the freeze time!
  3. Freeze for at least 30 minutes
  4. Make chocolate sauce: melt coconut oil in sauce pan, then add rest of ingredient and whisk until smooth
  5. Spoon layer of chocolate sauce over the caramel layer to fill silicone molds
  6. Top chocolate with a goji berry or two
  7. Freeze at least 15 minutes
  8. Pop out of the silicone mold, or muffin papers (may need a knife to get all of the caramel layer)
  9. Optional ** Garnish with shredded coconut
  10. DEVOUR
  11. Store in freezer