chocolate – The Vegan Rhino

April 2, 2020May 14, 2020

Coffee-Banana Marble Bread

This awesome banana bread is a mixture between coffee cake and marble loaf, two of my favorite things! Banana bread is the best when you have some bananas that are a bit too brown and mushy. Usually when I make a loaf, I always add an extra banana to the mixture for extra flavor and moistness. This is a great breakfast idea or mid-afternoon snack for busy days.

Yields 10 slices

Ingredients

4-5 ripe bananas, mashed

1-1/2 cup Organic King Arthur All-Purpose Flour

1 cup organic cane sugar

1/2 cup dairy-free butter

2 Tbsp. Bob’s Red Mill Egg Replacer + 4 Tbsp. water

1 tsp. baking soda

1/2 tsp. Vitacost Himalayan Pink Salt

1-1/4 tsp. coffee extract

1 Tbsp. Cocoa powder

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. In small bowl, prepare egg replacers according to package directions.
In mixing bowl, combine butter and sugar until creamy. Slowly add egg replacers, one at a time, and mix well. Add bananas and stir to combine.
In separate mixing bowl, sift flour, baking soda and salt.
Slowly combine dry and wet ingredients until fully incorporated. Add coffee extract and stir until just combined—do not overmix.
Remove 1 cup of batter and place into a small bowl. Add cocoa powder and mix until smooth.
Pour batter into greased starting with the vanilla batter. Alternate layers between the two until all the batter is gone. Using a knife, give a few swirls to move the batter around.
Bake for 1 hour or until golden brown. When ready, remove from oven and let cool completely.
Serve immediately or store in an air tight container.

Chef’s tip: Like your banana bread on the moist side? Add 1-2 more bananas to the batter and bake for an extra 5-10 minutes.

December 21, 2019May 14, 2020

Toffee Cookie Squares

These cookies are the absolute best (especially during Christmas time)! As long as I can remember, my mother would make these cookies and they have become a yearly tradition to enjoy. My favorite part of this cookie is the shortbread like chewy cookie with chocolate on top. It is the perfect duo and the taste is incredible.

Yield 15

Ingredients

1 cup vegan butter

1 cup light brown sugar

1-1/2 tsp. egg replacer + 1 Tbsp. filtered water

1 tsp. vanilla extract

1/2 tsp. Himalayan fine pink salt

2 cups all=purpose organic flour

1-3/4 cup chocolate chips

1/2 cup finely chopped walnuts

Directions

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
In a bowl, cream together the butter sugar. Stir in the egg replacer. Add the vanilla, salt, and slowly mix the flour in.,
On a parchment-lined 13×9-inch pan, pat out the cookie dough into an even layer.
Bake for 15 to 20 minutes. Remove from the oven and spread melted chocolate over the top, sprinkling with chopped nuts. Allow to cool before cutting into small squares.
Serve or store in a container in the refrigerator to retain maximum freshness.

Chef’s tip: Sprinkle with coconut flakes.

March 5, 2019November 9, 2020

Cookie Dough Bites

I don’t know about you but cookie dough bites and a good movie with popcorn are my go-to choices. I’ve created with my friends at EatPastry these fun bite-sized cookie dough bites with their non-GMO, vegan, egg and dairy free cookie dough. It’s super convenient if you are looking for some quick homemade cookies at home. Using the dough to create other favorite indulgent treats is the perfect way to be creative. Feel free to give this recipe a try, they sell at Whole Foods and other locations, which you can search for on their site.

Yields 20-25 cookie dough bites

Ingredients

1 tub eatpastry cookie dough

1 cup chocolate chips of choice

3-4 Tbsp. coconut oil or plant-based butter

Coarse rock salt, to garnish (optional)

Directions

Using a 1/4 tsp., scoop the dough into small rounds and set onto a parchment lined baking sheeted.
Place into the freezer until they are semi frozen, roughly 20-25 minutes.
In a glass bowl, add chocolate and coconut oil.
Bring a sauce pot filled a quarter of the way with water to a simmer. Place the glass bowl on top and melt chocolate until smooth, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat.
Take the cookie dough bites out of the freezer and dip them into the chocolate and place back onto the baking sheet.
Place in the refrigerator until chocolate sets, roughly 30 minutes.
Serve as a snack or on top of ice cream.

Chef’s tip: These can be kept in the fridge for up to a week.

February 7, 2019May 14, 2020

Plant-Based Chocolate Truffles (3 Ways)

Store bought truffles are good, but homemade truffles are even better. This Valentines Day, I highly suggest making one of these: Chocolate Truffle, Espresso Truffle, or a Raspberry Truffle. Your family or special someone will love you even more for showing up with these amazing and rich treats, which is why I highly recommend giving these a try. Whether you like plain chocolate, coffee or raspberry, I’ve got you covered with my simple ganache recipe for wonderful truffles (that look store bought!) Whose ready to start melting some chocolate?

Chocolate Truffle Base

Yields 8 truffles

Ingredients

1 cup chocolate (60-70% cocoa)

1/2 cup heavy coconut cream, well mixed

2 tsp. vanilla extract

1/2 cup cocoa powder, to roll in

Directions

In a heat proof bowl, add the chocolate. Warm the cream up on the stove for 3-5 minutes on medium-high heat.
Pour cream over chocolate and whisk until combined. Pour into a parchment lined pan and place into the refrigerator for 1-2 hours or until it is scoop-able.
Remove from the fridge and quickly scoop an even amount into your hand, roll into a ball, dust with cacao powder, and place in the fridge until ready to serve.

Espresso Truffle

Yields 8 truffles

Ingredients

1 Tbsp. espresso powder

1 Chocolate Truffle Base Recipe

1 cup finely chopped pecans

Directions

Combine the espresso powder and Baileys liqueur to the ganache.
Place into a parchment lined pan and refrigerate for 1-2 hours. Remove when it is scoop-able and ready to form into the round shapes.
Quicky scoop an even amount into your hand to shape, roll into chopped pecans, and place in the fridge until ready to serve.

Raspberry Truffle

Yields 8 truffles

Ingredients

2 tsp. raspberry syrup

2-3 Tbsp. raspberry jam, heated

1 Chocolate Truffle Base Recipe

Additional chocolate to melt

Directions

Add the raspberry syrup and jam to the cooling chocolate ganache.
Place into a parchment lined pan and refrigerate for 1-2 hours. Remove when it is scoop-able and ready to form into the round shapes.
Quicky scoop an even amount into your hand, place a raspberry in the center (optional).
Place onto a baking sheet and repeat until all finished. Place back into the fridge until ready to dip in melted chocolate.

Chef’s tip: This chocolate truffle base recipe is a great to make your own!

January 7, 2019May 14, 2020

Chocolate-Espresso Brownies

Why yes, a Chocolate-Espresso Brownie does sound like an amazingly delicious treat! These cake-like brownies are dusted in powdered sugar with just the right amount of chocolate and espresso flavor. Without the use of eggs, “real” butter, and dairy, you are still able to get the perfect dessert. Dunk-able and stackable with ice cream and hot fudge, these brownies are universal in whichever way you’d like to enjoy! Feel free to add chopped walnuts or chocolate chips for some extra crunch or a warm gooey chocolate surprise.

Yields 16 brownies

Ingredients

1 cup butter

2 cups sugar

4 Tbsp. Bob’s Red Mill Egg Replacer + 8 Tbsp. filtered water

2 tsp. vanilla extract

1/2 tsp. baking powder

3-4 Tbsp. ground expresso of choice

2/3 cup cocoa powder

1 cup King Arthur flour

1/2 tsp. Vitacost Himalayan Fine Pink Salt

Directions

In a mixing bowl, cream together the sugar and butter until light and fluffy. Mix in the egg replacer until well combined and add the vanilla extract.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
Slowly add the flour, baking powder, salt, and cocoa powder. Mix until batter is combined and pour into a well greased or parchment lined baking dish.
Bake for 40-45 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean. Make sure not to over bake your brownies.
Allow to cool before dusting with powder sugar.
Serve with plant-based milk and/or ice cream.

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November 4, 2018May 14, 2020

Rich Dark Chocolate Mousse

Rich and decadent chocolate mousse has never been so easy to make! Using both cacao nibs and Hershey’s unsweetened coco powder gives this recipe a dynamic duo that will make you melt in your seat. Grinding up the cacao nibs into a fine powder is key to getting this texture right, but once you do, it will be amazing and well worth it! Treat yourself and your friends to this truly amazing dessert that may leave you licking the bowl at the end.

Yields 3 servings

Ingredients

1 container silken tofu (454 g/1 lb)

3 Tbsp. Madhava organic amber raw blue agave

1/4 cup Vitacost organic ground chocolate-covered cacao nibs – non-GMO

1/4 cup Hershey’s Natural Unsweetened Cocoa

Directions

Blend all ingredients in your Vitamin blender until smooth.
Pour into ramekins and place in the refrigerator to set for 30 minutes.
Serve with fresh fruit and mint sprigs.

Chef’s tip: Using freshly ground cocoa nibs will deepen the chocolate flavor, if you do not have, it is more than alright to use a 1/2 cup of Hershey’s chocolate powder instead.

September 23, 2018May 14, 2020

Peanut Butter Cup Nice Cream Bowl

I don’t know about you all, but there is something about peanut butter, chocolate, and bananas that resonates deep within! Morning’s can sometimes be dull or basic since we are usually rushing out of the door to conquer our daily duties. Thus leaving little to no time for us to focus on our most important meal of the day, breakfast. This is a great start to any day or even a great post-workout snack! In whatever you decide, you can always personalize this bowl and add any fruits, seeds, or powders of your choice.

Yields 1 smoothie bowl

Ingredients

3-4 frozen banana’s

1 tsp. moringa powder.

3 Tbsp. Vitacost Certified Organic Crunchy & Unsalted Peanut Butter – Gluten Free and Non-GMO

1 Tbsp. Hershey’s Natural Unsweetened Cocoa

1 medjool date, pitted (optional)

Toppings:

3 Tbsp. hazelnuts

1 Tbsp. agave nectar

1/2 sliced banana

2 Tbsp. carob chips

1 Tbsp. chia seeds

Directions

Blend all ingredients using tamper to help mixture along until smooth.
Pour into a bowl and add toppings.

September 5, 2018May 14, 2020

Coco’s Macadamia Nut Cookies

These gooey and crunchy cookies will leave your mouth watering, once you smell and taste how good they are! Recently, I created this recipe for a good friend of mine who wanted a cookie with macadamia’s and dark chocolate- so what did I do? Made her this recipe! So get ready to impress your friends and family with these awesome nutty cookies!

Yields 24 cookies

Ingredients

1 cup Earth Balance Vegan Buttery Sticks, room temperature

1 cup Nutiva organic unrefined coconut sugar

2 1/2 cups King Arthur organic flour

2 Tbsp. Bob’s Red Mill Egg Replacer Gluten Free + 4 Tbsp. Water, mixed

2 tsp plain almond milk

1 tsp Simply Organic almond extract or vanilla extract

1/4 tsp Simply Organic ground nutmeg

1/2 tsp Vitacost Himalayan Fine Pink Salt

1 tsp baking soda

1 cup Enjoy Life Real Chocolate Chips Morsels Dark Chocolate

1 cup Royal Hawaiian Orchards Natural Macadamias Unsalted, coarsely chopped

Optional Caramel Sauce:

1/2 cup Vitacost organic light brown sugar – non-GMO

1/8 cup plain almond milk

1/2 tsp vanilla

1/2 tsp coarse rock salt

Directions

Preheat oven to350 degrees.
In a mixing bowl, combin sugar and butter and cream together. Add the egg replacer into the creamed sugar mixture until well incorporated.
Pour the flour, baking soda, almond milk, almond extract, salt, and nutmeg into the bowl and stir until dough has formed. Gently fold in the dark chocolate and chopped macadamia nuts.
Roll dough into 1 inch balls and place onto a baking sheet. Bake cookies for 12-15 minutes or until slightly golden brown.
Remove from oven and allow to cool.
Drizzle cookies with caramel sauce or smear over the top. Cool and serve or store in container.

Chef’s tip: For an extra crunch, make sure to add some almond slivers or chopped walnuts to the dough mix!

Chef’s tip: Substitutions** If you do chose to use a gluten free flour, you may have to press the cookie down with a fork to flatten. You may also switch out the organic cane sugar for coconut sugar, pure maple syrup, or any sugar of your choice.

August 13, 2018May 14, 2020

Dehydrated Granola with Seeds

Granola is a great snack or topper for your dairy-free yogurt, overnight oats, or smoothies. When making your own mixture of granola, you get to personalize it: adding seeds, dried fruit, nuts, superfood powders, and more. The two kinds that I have made are: an original flavor and a chocolate flavor (using cocoa powder).

Yields 32 oz granola

Ingredients

4 cups Bob’s Red Mill Organic Rolled Oats Gluten Free – Quick Cooking

1/2 cup spaghetti squash seeds

1/8 cup Spicely Organics Black Sesame Seeds Jar

1/2 cup Vitacost Certified Organic Maple Syrup Grade A – Non-GMO

1/2 tsp Vitacost Himalayan Pink Salt- Fine

1 cup dried cherries

1/4 cup Hersheys Cocoa Powder

Directions

In a large mixing bowl, combine all above ingredients until thoroughly mixed.
In your dehydrator, set temperature to 115 degrees and set timer for 6-8 hours or until granola is slightly hard. Remove granola from dehydrator trays and break into bite size pieces. Store in air tight container.
- Oven method: Place granola mixture on slightly greased baking sheet. Set oven to lowest temperature setting and allow to bake until slightly golden. Remove and break up into pieces and store in air tight container.

Chef’s tip: If you would like to add cocoa powder to the recipe, you can split the batch in half. Add 1/4 cup of cocoa powder to begin and see how much more to add. Just note you may need to add more maple sugar to sweeten the chocolate powder.