Whether it’s you, a friend, or a family member, chances are you know someone who is vegan. And whether or not you are vegan, these delicious dupes are well worth the small bit of effort required.
1. Mashed Potatoes.
The cult classic of comfort foods. The Thanksgiving superstar of sides. If you don’t like mashed potatoes, you’re lying and we all know it. I get my love of potatoes from my dad, and he knows as well as the next person that a good mashed potato starts with the butter.
Luckily for us vegans, we have I Can’t Believe It’s Not Butter, and let me tell you, I can’t believe it’s not butter.Creamy, vegan, mashed potatoes coming to a table near you, thanks to this oil-based butter substitute.
2. Gravy.
To go with your potatoes, obviously. For an easy vegan gravy, I like to sauté fresh garlic and onion with salt and pepper, and then add a teaspoon of cornstarch and about a cup and a half of veggie stock — but I always eyeball this and improvise. If you’re unsure, check out this recipe at the Stoner Vegan’s blog.
3. Hot Cocoa.
If we’re being honest with each other, I will drink a good hot cocoa year-round. That being said, I definitely have a strong craving for it during the cold holiday-filled months of winter. Making a good vegan cocoa is as simple as simmering almond milk on the stove with cocoa powder and sugar.
The amounts all depend on your personal taste, so if you’re only making one cup, start with just a teaspoon of cocoa and a tablespoon of sugar. If you want to get extra festive, throw in some peppermint extract or crushed peppermint candies!
4. PUMPKIN PIE!
Again, I could eat pumpkin pie year-round and have no shame about it. To veganize your pumpkin pie, all you have to do is pop over to the Minimalist Baker’s blog and check out her super simple recipe that will let you have your pie, and eat it too, in just two hours!
But if you’re feeling like you need some pumpkin flavored sweets in your life sooner than two hours, head over to the bakery at Fred Meyer’s and grab some Pumpkin Chocolate Chip soft-top cookies – in fact, do this even if you’re planning to make a pie; these cookies are to die for.
5. Christmas Crack.
Whether you celebrate Christmas or not, this chocolate-y, caramel-y bark is no joke. I was first introduced to this by my best friend’s mom a few years ago, and I haven’t looked back since.
The standard recipe can be found at Simply Recipes, and all you need to do to make it vegan is swap the butter in the caramel for a dairy free margarine (like I Can’t Believe It’s Not Butter) and make sure the dark chocolate you use is dairy free.