Vegan Effect

Written by   McDonald, T.    |  Date 5th of May 2025 This was a favourite of mine while growing up.  With today's vegan ranges, it's very easy to make.  I used banana bread cut into fingers for the sponge, but you can use a regular sponge if you want. Notes I used banana bread cut into fingers in place of the sponge fingers. I used Flora double cream, which took a lot of whipping! I used Alpro vegan custard.   I used wibble strawberry jelly crystals   Serves 6 Time - 2 days Ingredients  Strawberries x 1 tin Vegan custard x 1 carton Vegan double/whipping cream x 1 carton Vegan jelly crystals x 1 sachet Vegan sponge fingers x  Apparatus Medium glass bowl Measuring jug  Hand whisk Method  Cut the sponge into fingers about the size of a finger and add to the glass bowl. Drain the strawberries and add to the glass bowl.  Make the jelly as directed on the packet. Pour the jelly over the sponge fingers and strawberries....

Written by McDonald, T.   |  Date 21th of April 2025 Filled with rhubarb and strawberries and topped with a biscuit crumble.  This has got to be one of the best desserts in the world! It's so comforting and easy to make.

Written by McDonald, T.   |  Date 16 of December 2024     Christmas desserts need a thick brandy cream and this is the one for vegans.   Ingredients 1 tin of coconut milk (Check it is suitable for vegans because some are not) 2 tbsp of coconut cream 3 tablespoons of brandy (Most brandy is suitable for vegans but not all, so check out my vegan alcohol guide) 2 tbsp icing sugar   Method Pour the tin of coconut milk into a bowl.  Melt the coconut cream in a bowl. Take off the heat and add to coconut milk. Stir in the brandy. Place in a fridge to thicken Whip if you so desire. Results I very nice brandy cream that is sweet and flavourful.    I hope that you liked this blog and if you do try this recipe, please let me know how you got on and what it turned out like. You can leave a comment in the comments below.  

Written by McDonald, T.   |  Date 9th of December 2024 If you are looking for a true piece of decadence, this is it. Plenty of flavour from the rum and raisins and plenty of sweetness from the chocolate and coconut cream.  This dessert takes longer to chill than it does to make, so if you are sort of time, this could be for you.  All you have to do is soak the raisins overnight and make the dessert in the morning and put it in the fridge.  When you get home, the dessert will be more than ready. 

Written by McDonald, T.   |  Date 28th of October 2024 This is very much like a vegan cheesecake or key lime pie, so if you like those, you really need to try this recipe! Yes, it does include pumpkin spice and has all the flavour of autumn. Although it is called a cheesecake, it doesn't even use vegan cream cheese. Instead, I have just used pumpkin purée and coconut oil to hold it together. With this in mind, you might think, will it stay firm?  The answer to that is yes! The base uses dates and almonds, which is brilliant in taste and texture, but if you can't have nuts, you can use digestive biscuits. Just check they are vegan.

  Written by McDonald, T.   |  Date 30th of September 2024 Who can resist the light puff pastry and the sweet apple filling?  These are most definitely a great little treat for this time of year.  You could have these ready in no time at all!

Written by McDonald, T.   |  Date 2nd of September 2024 I really missed Dutch apple cake, so I started looking around for a recipe.  I used to buy Dutch apple cake from Holland & Barrett, but they don't seem to do it any more.  I have tried to recreate that cake from memory and with no recipe to guide me. Much to my amazement, I couldn't find one suitable recipe anywhere.  Since I was really missing it, I decided to make my own by modifying a banana bread recipe I had made years ago.  This cake is stodgily delightful and sweet, which is exactly what I was looking for!

    By McDonald, T.   |  Date 20th of May 2024 I have tried making these before, but something was not quite right.  Last time I used flax egg, which may have added too much moisture.  I concluded that next time I would use an egg replacement such as Orgran and leave it in the oven for just a bit longer.

By McDonald, T.   |  Date 29th of April 2024 Although I'm not a great chocolate fan, occasionally, I do like some brownies.  I also like apples, so when I found this recipe, I just had to give it a go.  The original used 2 eggs, which I have to change; thus, I went for flax egg.

Written by McDonald, T.   |  Date 18th of December 2023 I discovered this by accident and I am so glad that I did! Although it is not a traditional seasonal cake, it can and does make a great addition to any festive season. For a vegan cake, it is surprisingly firm.  Although firm, this cake has a light texture and is moist with a good flavour that more than hints at the brandy.   Notes I used a kebab skewer or even a metal thermometer as a cake tester.   Works just as well.  I used almond milk because it goes well with the brandy. I'm using metric cups.   The vinegar is to react with the bicarbonate of soda.  It helps the cake to rise as does the baking powder, which also help to keep it soft and light.  Wait t'ill you see how to make the brandy frosting!    Makes a cake with dimensions of 22 cm x 11 Time, about an hour. Ingredients  Some vegan butter to grease the tin Wet ingredients 2/3 cup plain vegan yogurt 1/2 cup o...

Written by McDonald, T.   |  Date 11th of December 2023   This is something I have heard of, but never tried before.  Usually, we have traditional Christmas cake in my house, but last year I wanted to try something different and this was it.  Rest assured, I will be having it again this year too! At first, it seems like a lot of effort, but you will soon see that it is straight forward to make and definitely worth it.  However, it will need proofing and the dried fruit will need soaking, which will all take time, so plan ahead.  Notes I used French Brandy Marzipan and so used brandy to flavour the raisins and cranberries. I used almond milk. A good tip is to dust the soaked fruit with a little flour before adding the dough. You have 3 options with the marzipan:  Roll it out  Chop it up Have a thick bar of it running through the centre I soaked the dried fruit in brandy, but you can make it without the alcohol is you wish or use rum instead. ...

Written by McDonald, T.   |  Date 4th of December 2023   I love a nice juicy pear, but today I wanted it to be a bit different, so I decided to bake some with a few spices. The pear came out delightful and soft with plenty of flavours to excite the taste buds.

Written by McDonald, T.   |  Date 13th of November 2023 Christmas is just around the corner and you need to start your Christmas cake now!  Yes, it needs time to soak and feed.  You will have to soak the dried fruit for a week or so and once the cake is baked, you will need to feed the cake with more brandy.  Don't worry, all will be explained in this post.  This cake is completely vegan and has an amazing taste.  Holds together perfectly.  

Written by McDonald, T.   |  Date 6th of November 2023      This is a handy little sauce to have in your repertoire because you can use it in so many ways.  It adds something different to the desserts other than just cream or custard.  You can use it in cake fillings too.  Simple to make and great tasting.

Written by McDonald, T.   |  Date 16th of October 2023 I learned to make this in my Nan's kitchen as a boy.  It is so easy to make and yet yields such splendid results.  It takes little time to prepare since all you have to do is peel the apples and stew them with some other ingredients for a bit the most time consuming part is baking it in the oven.  So, if you are looking for a popular dessert that is straight forward to make, this should definitely be on your short list.  Notes Self raising flour is fine if you have nothing else.  For some extra fun, add a small glass of sherry! Makes 1 medium sized dish (about 700 g) Time – 15–20 minutes to prepare and 35–40 minutes to bake.  About 1 hr in total . Ingredients Apple filling  Cooking apples x 2 large Sultanas x 5 tbsps Cinnamon x 2 tsps Lemon x 2–3 tbsps Vanilla extract x 1/2 tsp  Brown sugar x 2-3 tbsp Salt x 2 pinch   Water x 100 ml Crumble Plan flour 120 g Vegan butter 40...

Written by McDonald, T.   |  Date 2nd of October 2023   What better way to celebrate a festival or just the weekend than with a slice of English apple cake?  This cake is flatter than most cakes, but is spread out more in a larger baking tin.  You can cut it into squares or into fingers. Notably, it is very easy to make and so tasty!