Monday, February 10, 2014

A vegan chocolate dessert round-up, for Valentine's Day or any day

What is your stance on Valentine's Day? I'm a bit torn, myself. On the one hand, it is a commercialised holiday that works to keep card companies and florists in business, seems to suggest that we should only say 'I love you' once a year, and gives people an opportunity to feel excluded if they are not in a relationship come February 14th. Hardly things to rejoice in.

On the other hand, the day does have historical origins, I welcome extra reasons to show my husband I love him, and there's no reason 'I love you' has to be constrained to couple (as opposed to friend / family) relationships. What's more, the day has come to be associated with chocolate. There are things to like.

Chocolate raspberry tart made with Chocolate
Covered Katie's ultimate chocolate fudge pie filling

I hadn't planned to do a Valentine's Day post per se, but on looking through my bookmarks folder on the weekend, I realised that I have a surprising number of chocolate recipes waiting for my attention. With February 14th looming, I thought it would be a good occasion to share them. You know, because your own bookmarks folders aren't full enough.

So, without further ado, here are 16 chocolate recipes to facilitate (or complicate!) chocolate dessert decisions. I've thrown in some of my favourite chocolate recipes from Bite-Sized Thoughts too. Make them for yourself or someone else, on Valentine's Day or any day...all are vegan and many are raw to boot!

Chocolates and truffle balls





Chilli-cinnamon-sea salt dark chocolates

Raw and no-bake desserts








Chocolate berry cheesecake

Baked goods





Chocolate strawberry tart

Will you be doing anything to celebrate Valentine's Day? I think we'll be rejoicing in our usual Friday night routine of a movie at home on the couch!
Posted by Kari at 05:22
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29 comments:

  1. Cass @foodmyfriendFebruary 10, 2014 at 5:32 AM

    Yum! I'm so excited for Valentines Day. I get to go and have my yearly 8 course Japanese Degustation. I love that they make the vego version for me. Your desserts look so good. Kind of makes me wish they did a chocolate dessert!

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    1. KariFebruary 10, 2014 at 7:30 AM

      Ooh, 8 courses of Japanese sounds amazing! That's definitely a Valentine's Day tradition to nurture :-)

      Delete
  2. taraFebruary 10, 2014 at 5:35 AM

    Love your recipes! I just started a Vegan Mondays Roundup and would love to have some of your recipes included!

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  3. TaraFebruary 10, 2014 at 5:39 AM

    Just realized the comment above just showed my name and not my page:) It's Tara from applesandginger.com

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    1. KariFebruary 10, 2014 at 7:30 AM

      Thanks Tara! And a vegan Mondays roundup sounds great - just the thing to start the week :-) I'll check it out!

      Delete
  4. LucieFebruary 10, 2014 at 3:50 PM

    Looks like you are going to have a delicious valentines!

    journeysthroughmeadows.blogspot.com

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    1. KariFebruary 11, 2014 at 5:32 AM

      I don't know how many of these I'll actually be making, but there are definitely some delicious options!

      Delete
  5. coconutandberriesFebruary 10, 2014 at 5:47 PM

    Woah! Chocolate galore! I'm all for an excuse to eat chocolate :) I've got a friend coming to stay for Valentine's weekend so we can be single together.
    I'm adding your raw chili cinnamon dark chocolate to my chocolate recipe list!

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    1. KariFebruary 11, 2014 at 5:33 AM

      I'm open to chocolate excuses too :-) And I'm so glad you like the look of the chilli/cinnamon chocolates - I really loved them!

      Delete
  6. SandyFebruary 10, 2014 at 10:44 PM

    hehe sounds like you have the same half hearted approach to valentine's day as me!
    My hubby has already booked dinner out so at least i don't have to worry about doing anything marvellous hahaha - I did use it as a good excuse to get crafty making him a card though!!!!!!!

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    1. KariFebruary 11, 2014 at 5:33 AM

      A card is impressive! I call that whole hearted - what more can he want?! ;)

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  7. Joanne T FergusonFebruary 11, 2014 at 12:34 AM

    G'day! WOW a great round up indeed!
    YUM!
    Cheers! Joanne

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  8. Sarah | The Sugar HitFebruary 11, 2014 at 12:57 AM

    Vegan desserts are always so delicious looking! Nobody could call this missing out.

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  9. Hotly SpicedFebruary 11, 2014 at 1:39 AM

    That's a lovely round-up. We have never really celebrated Valentine's Day in any way other than to go out for dinner. We don't buy each other gifts or give each other cards and I don't get any flowers. Do we sound like kill-joys? I just think it's more of an American thing; a bit like Halloween xx

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    1. KariFebruary 11, 2014 at 5:34 AM

      I've never done gifts / cards / flowers either - not only in recent years but ever in my life! I'm glad it isn't just me who doesn't embrace that side of Valentine's Day :)

      Delete
  10. CakelawFebruary 11, 2014 at 6:17 AM

    These are some great ideas for Valentines Day. I just like red and hearts, so I'll make something.

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  11. cityhippyfarmgirlFebruary 11, 2014 at 7:27 PM

    There is much to rejoice in on a Friday with a couch underneath you, loved one by your side and movie up front. Yay for that I say.
    For Valentines Day I'm running off to the city to listen to a talk on fermentation...romantic no :-)

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    1. KariFebruary 12, 2014 at 9:01 AM

      Well, that depends on your idea of romantic...but I'll grant it might take a creative definition! :-)

      Delete
  12. Maureen | Orgasmic ChefFebruary 12, 2014 at 3:43 AM

    My Aussie half doesn't celebrate Valentine's Day so I never do anything special. Now that I've seen this list, however, I think I should change my mind. :)

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    1. KariFebruary 12, 2014 at 9:01 AM

      Yes, I figure any excuse for chocolate will do!

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  13. Ally @ Om Nom AllyFebruary 12, 2014 at 7:18 AM

    Yum yum yum! This is the first year I don't have a valentines recipe in the can to post on Friday so I'm definitely living vicariously through your blog and this round up today :D I simply must try some of those raw offerings, they all sound amazing. Pinning this post for later :D

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    1. KariFebruary 12, 2014 at 9:01 AM

      I'm glad you like the look of some of these Ally! They definitely all have me wanting to dive in :-)

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  14. HannahFebruary 12, 2014 at 6:52 PM

    Thanks for the link, lovely!

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  15. Johanna GGGFebruary 13, 2014 at 12:04 PM

    I think I most love the chocolate aspect of valentines day - it is not something we really get into in a big way and this year is not at all convenient in the timing so I am mostly enjoying blog posts about vaelnintes - thanks for including my link - lots of other goodness in there too

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  16. Best www.janitorialserviceseattle.comFebruary 15, 2014 at 11:10 AM

    Dessert is the best! Love this Valentines Day round up :D

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