TASTE TEST: Cookies... for me? Brownies

Cookies... for me vegan brownie (credit: Cookiesforme.com)

RATING:

I love brownies. I often find vegan brownies a little disappointing though. This one from Cookies... for me was really great! I bought them at my local health food store in the refrigerated section. I didn't really get why it needed to be refrigerated, so, I shoved it in my bag for a few hours. When it was time to eat it was a little on the melting side. I liked it like that though because I usually microwave brownies. The brownie was really fudge-y but not overly sweet or rich. This was the kind of brownie you want to wash down with a glass of soymilk or ricemilk. It was so moist and chewy and no weird taste/after-taste. I will definitely pick this up again, even though it was a little pricey ($2.99). Never tried or seen anything from this brand before, definitely fun to try something new!

TASTE TEST: Vegan Treats Turtle Brownie & Vegan Treats Tiramisu

Vegan Treats Turtle Brownie and Tiramisu

TURTLE BROWNIE RATING:YYYY(4 out of 5 hearts!)
TIRAMISU RATING:YYY(3 out of 5 hearts!)

This vegan brownie was awesome. My friend (who wanted a brownie) asked which of the vegan treats selection she should get (this was at atlas café) and she recommended the “turtle”. I prefer a dense fudgey brownie and this was just that. It was super chocolately and the pecans and caramel on top were amazing. After my friend finished, she wished there were more, as did I. I haven’t had as good of a vegan brownie from any other bakery.

I don’t see vegan tiramisu around too often, so I was really stoked to try this one from Vegan Treats. The espresso flavor was strong and the “mascarpone” was super creamy and awesome. However, the cake itself lacked a little. I always thought tiramisu had lady fingers on the bottom but it seemed like I was just eating sponge cake. It was definitely enjoyable and since I’ve only had vegan tiramisu once or twice, I’m glad it’s around. I can imagine that tiramisu is kind of tough to make – it’s not just a “replace this here and replace that there” type of thing. However, I think it would have been more impressed if I tasted lady fingers in the consistency.

Have you had vegan tiramisu? Made it yourself? How about vegan treats brownies? Where's your favorite place to get a brownie? Post in the comments!

TASTE TEST: GonePie Gluten-Free Walnut Brownie

Gone Pie Gluten-Free Walnut Brownie

RATING:YYY(3 out of 5 hearts!)

These brownies caught my eye immediately. In the display, they reminded me of home baked brownies with their thickness and placement of walnuts. They looked simple and delicious. I decided to purchase the gluten-free brownies with walnuts because I haven’t had a plain brownie with walnuts since I’ve gone vegan.

The best thing about GonePie brownies are the texture. I’ve had other vegan brownies that taste pretty grainy or dry but these were moist, soft and chewy. I loved the added crunch of the walnut. It was a little heavy, but I suppose that is the point. I thought I would not finish the whole thing and be able to save some for later, but in moments I realized the whole thing was gone.

My only complaint was that there was some weird component of the taste that I can’t seem to put my finger on. It was like when you eat something that is sugar-free and it has a weird sucralose aftertaste. After a few bites, I got used to the taste and even enjoyed it very much… but it was slightly off-putting at first.

Overall it was very enjoyable and I was pretty impressed that they pulled off such a tasty vegan , gluten-free brownie and I’m interested in trying out some of their other products (blondies, macaroons, fruit bars).

How Sweet it is: Lula's Sweet Apothecary

Birthday Cake & Peanut Butter Fudge Ice Cream from Lula's Sweet Apothecary

Ok. I wish this place relocated inside of my house. This is probably one of the happiest vegan places to exist. Seriously, this is the place your mom should take you on a day that you come home from school with a face wet with tears and snot dripping onto your shirt sleeves. Ok, sorry - that was a gross visual, but, you know what I mean.

I went there last night with my boyfriend despite the fact that he was on the verge of falling into a deep sleep (he had parent-teacher conferences all day), but I knew he would instantly wake up as soon as we walked in the door. It is instantly welcoming, set up like an old ice cream parlor - jars filled with candies such a licorice, marshmallows lining the walls and metal spoons in a 50's style straw dispenser.

May I remind you this place is ENTIRELY vegan!! OMG it is heaven. The first thing my boyfriend noticed was that they now offer a New York Style Egg Cream. DAMN. They have a menu that is full of those nostalgic soda fountain goodies that we only see in movies like Grease. Last time I was there I ordered a banana split that rocked my world. The whipped cream was kind of liquid-y though so I would not recommend using that as a topping.

I learned yesterday that all the ice creams are made in-house. Two of the 10 flavors were soy-based and the rest were nut-based. Which was great for my boyfriend since he is allergic to soy and often gets the itchy throat when we get ice cream. (I know, what luck, I’m allergic to oats & he’s allergic to soy). This week the nut-based ice creams were made with cashews! COOL. I love how nuts make things creamy. Anyway, this store is so cute. I can’t emphasize it enough. Our server was very sweet and answered all our questions and let us sample everything with adorable little spoons!! They had a whole new set of flavors from last time I was there which made me realize, I can NEVER get tired of this place. Haha! So I tried the avocado ice cream (fancy!) which was kind of weird but probably a great summer treat. The peanut butter fudge was ridiculous, very thick, not ice-y at all. Heavy peanut-butter taste. The espresso was very true to the taste too! Not watered down at all. My eyes opened a little wider after I tried that one.

OK. This made me squeal with joy. They had a flavor with sprinkles already on it… I eyed it suspiciously. I thought, could it be? No… Could it? YES! It was birthday cake flavor! I miss funfetti cake and birthday cake cream ices, haven’t been able to find anything vegan like it. This ice cream ruled my world. It was the greatest taste in my mouth. I want more. Right now.

They also have some other great things. Gone-pie gluten-free brownies (I bought one so will update with a taste-test soon), Red Mango baked goods (Brooklyn made muffins, cookies and cupcakes), and Chicago Soy Dairy Soft Serve.

So, this is how I imagine my summer going. Waking up. Hopping on my bike. Over the Manhattan bridge we go and to Lula’s Sweet Apothecary. Something to look forward to on this first day of spring….

Here are my only complaints, though hardly complaints, this is seriously the greatest place. It’s cash only (I never carry cash because I tend to spend impulsively) and it’s kind of out of the way (on E 6th street between A & B), but totally worth the trek!

Have you been to Lula’s? Don’t live in NYC but have a similar place in your town? Post in the comments!

TASTE TEST: Sacred Chow's Brownie Sundae

Brownie Sundae at Sacred Chow

RATING:YY(2 out of 5 hearts!)

My friend and I were meeting up for a post-work dessert and she requested that we find something warm and gooey. The Brownie Sundae at Sacred Chow in the west village looked like it could fit the bill. It consisted of a triple chocolate velvet brownie, topped with hot fudge, vanilla soy ice cream and rainbow sprinkles. Since we wanted something super gooey, we requested that the brownie be warm when served, which the waitress was more than happy to do.

The plate came out and looked adorable. I felt a little like it was my tenth birthday... but who cakes. I was a little surprised it was on a flat plate rather than in a serving dish, but I never feel like I can get the last bit of melted ice cream & fudge at the bottom of those dishes anyway.

The brownie was most certainly chocolately. If eaten alone it definitely would have been too much, but combined with some vanilla ice cream, eat bite was great. The only problem with the brownie was that it was wheat/gluten free and this made it kind of grainy. My friend even said it was more like a chocolate cornbread rather than a brownie. Though grainy, it wasn't heavy like other vegan brownies/cakes.

It was a little pricey ($9), but it most certainly hit the spot. YUM.