I have an ongoing need for vegan baked goods of all varieties. The working day is long and there is so much coffee to drink! Who doesn't love something flaky and sweet with their caffeine? Although Toronto is currently enjoying an explosion of vegan bakeries, there are none around my office, so I find myself looking for ways to make my own. Watch this space for more ideas in the future. More

My side-project to fill my recipe file with satisfying vegan desserts continues today with a reasonable facsimile of butterscotch pudding, topped with fresh mango and blueberries. Anybody who's been vegan for a while knows that we're not the least bit deprived -- we have access to a rich variety of foods with vibrant, spicy flavours and pleasant textures. But there's nothing like following up a curry or other spicy dish with a sweet, cool dessert that caps off the meal and refreshes your tingling mouth. More

I'm always a little bit surprised how easy it is to veganize most baked goods. This one was particularly enjoyable. The tartness of the grated apple mingles beautifully with the sweetness of the banana and brown sugar. But what you'll notice most about the finished product is a tender, moist texture, which I think we can chalk up to the apples and flax egg. The whole-wheat flour melts into the background, providing healthy fibre without hitting you over the head with heaviness. Legit desserts for vegans are pretty few and far between. This one feels light and happy and it provides a beautiful contrasting finish to most meals. It's also a delightful accompaniment for a coffee. More

Of course, apple crisp is a classic. Tangy apples on the bottom are set off against a sweet, crumbly oatmeal topping. Butter is usually a big part of that topping. As an experiment, I wanted to see whether I could use a combination of plant-based oils to produce the crumbly-but-substantial texture that gave this dessert its name. More

I have a confession to make. When I worked downtown, I was hooked on the ##link(http://www.starbucks.ca/menu/food-list,Starbucks fruit and oat cookie). I tried to fight it, but in the 15 minutes after lunch, the temptation of a nice stroll outside, a hot coffee and one of these beautiful cookies is just too strong. I knew I would try to make something similar eventually. I also knew I would stay away from the usual cookie ingredients and make it vegan. More