With recipes for Whoopie Pies, Cookies & Cream Pound Cake, and Lychee Cupcakes with Raspberry Frosting, “My Sweet Vegan” will unquestionably open your eyes to a new world of culinary possibilities. As a dairy lover myself I must admit that I was skeptical about a book that claims to satisfy ye ‘ole sweet tooth without an ounce of dairy, eggs or butter to be found. But the truth is that I was pleasantly surprised, and while I won’t be giving up ice cream or cheesecake anytime soon my opinion of vegan desserts has certainly changed for the better. Kaminsky has an uncanny ability to create things like Banana’s Foster Cake and Golden Glazed Donuts without any of the ingredients we so commonly associate with baking - I really don’t know how she does it. Each recipe is accompanied by instructions that are both clear and uplifting - I love how Kaminsky advises readers to indulge in a little siesta after removing the peels from oranges in order to make Orangettes. “Take a break and have a snack,” she writes, “or toss [the orange segments] into a salad for later on!” The Orangettes recipe appears in the “Morsels and Desserts” chapter, which features treats like Green Tea Freezer Pops and Flaming Hot Peanut Brittle, proving that the reach of this book extends beyond the realm of the oven cookery. Every recipe has an attractive photo on the facing page, while image-laden how-to sections show you how to fill cupcakes with lemon curd that peeks through an heart-shaped cutout. Finally, I was especially impressed by the “Food Allergy Index” at the back of the book that lists recipes according to individual needs. Gluten free? Try Apricot Biscotti. Wheat free? Give Sesame Chews a whirl. As a teacher who is sometimes faced with the task of baking for elementary schoolers with various allergies, this section of the book will be immensely useful. Overall I would recommend “My Sweet Vegan” to anyone who is eager to satisfy their vegan sweet tooth or stretch their culinary imagination.

Chapters Include: Sweet Starts, Cookies & Bars, Cakes & Cupcakes, Pies & Tarts, and Miscellaneous Morsels & Desserts.