Whenever I felt completely daunted about how much recipe testing, writing, and photography I had to do for my cookbook, I’d look over at the tempting pile of cookbooks that were waiting for my review. I kept one book always on the top of that stack for the cover photo alone. I knew that once I’d finished my work, I would have my reward. I could immerse myself in deep, dark chocolate.
So – this is less a review and more like an ode to Fran Costigan’s stunning Vegan Chocolate: Unapologetically Luscious and Decadent Dairy-Free Desserts. I mean, c’mon. It’s a whole, hard-bound, photograph-heavy, book of vegan CHOCOLATE desserts. And it’s Fran Costigan. Let’s get to the chocolate!
…I was drawn to the Low-Fat and Luscious Hot Cocoa like Winona Ryder’s character, Mina, was drawn to Gary Oldman’s Vlad – pesky fang marks on the neck not included.
Then there were the Mendiants. The what?! Who cares! It’s chocolate!
And any chocolate cookbook worth its cacao has got to have a recipe for Chocolate Coconut Chia Pudding, am I right?
But let’s not forget about the Brownie Pudding Cakelettes that ooze chocolate “pudding” as soon as the spoon makes “first contact.”
…and then there was this…Chocolate Espresso Gelato. Can you hear the choir of angels singing?
But wait – there’s more! Chocolate Orange Sesame Truffles!
Thank you, Fran, Dianne, and Running Press for providing me with a review copy – as well as a copy to give away to one of my readers (open to those in the U.S. only; giveaway ends at midnight CT on November 3).
Fran is a lovely lady! I met her at the first Vida Vegan Con – she slipped in and sat down at the table I was having breakfast at – and said “Hi, I’m Fran!”. Her cooking classes are even more fun!
She looks like she’d be a lot of fun. Hope to meet her myself one of these days!
I would say chocolate is a 7, very important! I don’t have it every single day but I really like it.
I could eat it every day, but I make a conscious effort not to :-)! Thanks for entering the giveaway, Lydia!
I’d say that chocolate is a 10. I always have at least a little everyday. =)
A very sensible thing to do, Corrine! Thanks for commenting!
Oh my dear God I just died and went to chocolate heaven!! Everything sounds so amazing. I have some white chocolates I make that are covered in sesame seeds, but the dark chocolate sounds amazing too!! I’d say your reward is awesome!
I KNOW, right?! Insane! I enjoyed myself so much that I’m taking a break from desserts, hehe!
I would definitely say that chocolate is a 10!!!! Extremely important!
Maybe 10+++? 🙂
I love that woman! That book sounds extremely interesting with all those fabulous vegan chocolate recipes! All of the recipes you have shown here look amazing! Yummmm!
Fran is awesome! And her recipes…oh my.
Oh. My. Gosh. Just drown me in all the food in this post. Like forever. This makes me want a do over of my own review! I hardly had a chance to make anything before it was due!
I don’t think anyone would object if you re-reviewed this book!
I love Fran, I have all her books and Vegan Chocolate is wonderful. I made several recipes and the were all deliciously perfect!
Agreed! Haven’t had one fail yet!
😉
I love chocolate but it really zaps my nervous system – nevertheless I must buy this book if only to devour the photographs!
It’s definitely “coffee table” worthy, Iona!
I think you really enjoyed this photo shoot. ..no?
A tasty task!!
My copy is on an end table now. Looks nicer than the table actually 😉 Great review!
It’s a beautiful book – and even better, the recipes are incredible. But due to my diligent testing, Kel and I are on a dessert fast until Thanksgiving :-). Worth the sacrifice, though!
I’ve had this cookbook on my amazon wishlist for while now. It looks amazing! Chocolate rates as an 8 on my scale. I usually have a bit everyday, even if it’s only cocoa powder in my oatmeal!
Wishing you luck on winning it, Carrie! Otherwise, I wholeheartedly recommend adding this book to your library. It’s just beautiful!
WOW! Amazing photos! In answer to the entry question of how chocolate rates 1 to 10 of importance in my life I would have to say around 2 or 3…mainly because since going vegan I really haven’t had much of it. I’m not much of a baker or dessert creator and I think I have only had 1 vegan dessert in 2 and a half years. I LOVE hearing and seeing recipes for them and would love to get brave enough to try my hand at it again – perhaps this book would do the trick. Also…on the entry form it said ‘points for subscribing’ and I entered my email addy because I am a subscriber but it didn’t take (timed out or something) – just wanted to let you know! This is a great contest! thanks for posting it 🙂 And the opportunity!
Jennifer, I’m sure this cookbook would inspire you to start baking your own yummy chocolate desserts. Fran includes recipes from the super-easy to showstoppers – so there is something for everyone.
Thanks for letting me know about the email subscription glitch – and thanks for being a subscriber!
Everything looks amazing! I think chocolate is a 7- definitely have to have it almost every day.
Thanks for entering the giveaway, Ashley!
Chocolate is definitely a 10 in my life, especially dark chocolate and wonderful recipes!
Sounds like this is the cookbook for you, Maryann!
Chocolate is a 10 in my life for sure. The darker the better!
I’m with you on that, Jacky!
How important is chocolate in my life? Definitely an 8 or 9… is there any situation that can’t be improved by chocolate? I can’t think of one, LOL! 😉 The cookbook looks absolutely beautiful, and if I’m not lucky enough to win it, then I’ll put it on my holiday wish list for sure! 🙂
Couldn’t agree with you more, Heather!
Hmm…I might have to go with only about a six. The husband, on the other hand, is a ten, for sure!
Interesting that the male in the household likes chocolate more than the female :-)! So much for stereotypes!
Trying to figure out this comment/entry thingy… but omg this book looks fantastic!
Sorry if you had trouble, Deb! And yes, this book IS fantastic!
My love for chocolate goes all the way to 11! 😉 Thanks for the chance to win a copy of this book. I had it from the library and was so sad when I had to return it. Also, awesome Dracula reference!
🙂 I guess I should’ve used a higher scale, huh?
I’d say chocolate is about a 6. I do love it, but try to eat it in small quantities. Really looking for to this book… I already own Fran’s other book. Your photos look wonderful. The gelato looks super impressive.
Thanks, Jody! It was a real pleasure to make and photograph Fran’s recipes.
Argh this is torture – why don’t I live overseas? Anyway, this book is 100% on my wishlist – so much beautiful chocolate!
I wish I could share these giveaways with everyone – so sorry to put you through chocolate torture!!
Chocolate is probably the most important thing in my life after my family and friends 😛
Cheers
Choc Chip Uru
So let’s rate you on the scale at about 20 :-P!
I love love chocolate! it’s my favorite thing to treat myself with. can’t live without it!
Amen to that :-)!
Holy mother of chocolate!! I can literally taste this post….
Well, I’d say it’s about a 4. I have much more of a salt tooth than a sweet tooth!
Some days chocolate figures higher in my life than others! After looking at these pictures, I wish it was featuring more right now! Yum. I guess I would average my “need” for it at a 5.
Chocolate is of the utmost importance in my life. Definitely a 9 or a 10… or maybe even 11.
Depends on the day…since today is National Chocolate Day I’d say it’s a 10! 🙂
Its about a 5. Important in baking but i can control my daily need for it 🙂
Chocolate was always a staple food in my childhood home and neither growing up (a little) or going vegan has changed that one bit.
Yahoo for chocolate!
Decadent!
So people drink…I eat chocolate?
Give me chocolate over alcohol any day :-P!
Would love this! Yum!!
Thanks for entering the giveaway, Paula!
My mother’s motto in life is “Always chocolate – vanilla is a waste of calories.” So from a young age, I was taught that chocolate is VERY important! 😉
Depends on the level of stress at work. Right now, about an 8 😀
It fluctuates day to day, but it’s always at least an 8!
all of this looks incredible. I LOVE chocolate and would love to find more ways to use it!
This cookbook would keep you inspired for months :-)!
I realized I forgot to put the importance number on that last post. I eat some every day, so it’s probably close to an 8.
At least an 8, b/c I dare NOT eat it every day!
Um chocolate is a 10 on the priority scale lol. My recent fave is sweet potato chocolate pudding.
Oh wow! I like the sound of that, Jessica!
Chocolate is a ten that’s for sure!!
Choccie espresso gelato sounds amazing!!!
Fingers crossed to win this 🙂
Gorgeous photos! This looks like an amazing cookbook!
Thanks, Michaela!