I am new to the vegan world and changing my diet hasn't been as difficult as changing the family's. I want my kids to start eating healthier, but finding delicious goodies that they like has been challenging. This cookbook is awesome for anyone who loves desserts and baking. The recipes are easy to make and my kids have absolutely loved every one I've made so far. They all taste like the real thing!

THis is a great basic vegan book everyone should have. The information about substitutes alone is worth the purchase and the recipes are all staple baking and delicious.Friends did not know about the vegan ingredients and said the choc. chip cookies were the best they ever had.

I really like this cookbook. I agree with other posters that it doesn't focus on super-healthy recipes, but she clearly states that most of the items in the book are treats in which one should indulge only occasionally. The ingredients are pretty easy to find and you can always substitute whole wheat or alternative flours and other ingredients if you so desire. I, for one, really enjoy having a traditional kind of baking book in vegan form. It makes it much easier to make things that I know all of my omnivorous friends will like, and it's not always easy converting recipes myself. The photos are lovely, and almost every recipe I've made from this book has turned out very well. I even bought a copy for my non-vegan mother, and I know that she's used it a few times when baking for her friends.

Another thing I really like about the book is that it includes short educational sections about the negative aspects of dairy and egg production, and on good baking techniques.

I'd give this book five stars. Is it all healthy recipes? No. But it doesn't set out to be a healthy vegan baking book. The mission is to show that you can make tasty vegan baked goods without the use of animal products. It fits the bill.

So while I tend to opt for more healthier versions (not using white flour, etc.), I still think it's a great book to have in my cookbook collection.

There was one part though, where she referenced that there was no difference between white sugar and using something like pure maple syrup. This is wrong as there are minerals in pure maple syrup (zinc, maganese), making it a healthier sweetener.

I really like all the full color photos in the book and all the extra tidbits of information offered throughout. There are some great recipes included, something for everyone and I can substitute the white flour for spelt flour where desired. I also enjoy listening to Colleen's podcast. This is a good book to add to any cookbook collection.

To the author: It's billed as a cookbook. I don't think the author has anywhere near enough first hand knowledge of ALL farms to say that everyone who eats chicken or goes deer hunting is going to burn in hell for it. What are we saying? Some chicken screams to the others, "My God, they've just murdered Gertrude. Don't let the chicks see her like that." I sense a PETA member. There's a huge difference in having a few chickens or pigs or 20 cows in a backyard and a factory farm operation of 100s or 1000s. That's MY speech.

Other than trainwreck of an intro, the book is masterfully organized and presented. She definitely insists on having everything a certain way, and worked very hard at having information needed to bake with maximum ease. I like it when a list of pantry items is given, units of measure, and common utensils/kitchen tools. It's interesting to see what each author keeps on hand and it's a fast way to get a beginner up and running. The core truth of the intro is that Americans have gotten into the habit of eating a very limited variety, mostly the same thing over and over. Much of that comes from the increased popularity of prepared foods and the convenience of eating out. I like the suggestions and specif brand names, so you can go into a store and ask for it. The nut milks, almond milk sounds like it must be good. The cashew cream sounds good.

Most of the palates are out of order. I know mine was. That's my main reason for cutting out factory ingredients, including dairy, meat and eggs. It the only way to really know what you are eating.

I don't bake enough yet to know, but I wouldn't think it'd be too hard to substitute honey, organic cane sugar, or suganat for refined sugar. All you're after is the sweetness. I do not know if that would affect the baking process. Precise measure and heat are the key, for me, maybe humidity too. I can think of worse ways to spend time to testing cookies and sweets for sweetness or proper baking.

The flour issue can be resolved with organic flour. So, I don't get the complaints that this is just a cookbook with substitutes for animal products, what else is vegan baking? Heidi Swanson might have some more thoughts in the way of alternative sweetners.

The Pine Nut Anise cookies are probably really good. I'm not sure if some reviewers even have the book.

It's a good book, after the 7+ page lecture. If you want to learn ways to get around animal products and control what goes into your body, it's good. She did a good job setting it all up for beginners and giving the more experienced a gander at how she sets up, suggested specific brands and giving the ones she liked the best. As hard of a time as I gave her about the sermon, if she says something is really good, I trust her. She's probably an ESFJ Myers Brigg personality. The presentation is almost perfect. She certainly writes well. I'll probably buy her cookbook when it comes out.

I cannot recommend this book highly enough for anyone who enjoys baking and eating scrumptious baked goodies. The author covers everything from breads to cookies to candies to beverages. The layout is fabulous, the instructions easy to follow, and the recipes are delectable. Lots of suggestions included about how to convert (easily) traditional recipes into vegan recipes, how to stock your pantry, and how to change up the recipes according to your tastes. The last thing I'll comment on is how much I enjoyed reading the author's words about choosing a vegan lifestyle and all the tips & food lore generously scattered throughout the book. Oh, and I do not follow a vegan diet although I am moving in that direction. This cookbook definitely will make the transition joyful and seamless.

This cookbook is useful to me in several ways, but the constant drum beat of egg replacer and vegan butter just drowns out everything for me. I must admit I was sorely disappointed. And what's up with all that "all purpose flour"?? Looks more like a capitalistic venture than a truly vegan cookbook. Why cannot we have a cookbook that uses wholewheat pastry flour for cookies (for instance), for heaven's sake? I guess this was written for people just jumping onto the health bandwagon via the cookie department, but it was not that great for me. I have to re-create any recipe by figuring out how to avoid all those "1/2 cups of vegan butter" and using whole grains--what a drag. I do use Earth Balance, but not by the cupful! Puh-leeze!!

I could hardly wait for this book to arrive. When it finally did, I couldn't wait to open it up and look inside. It was then that I was so disappointed! It is a "vegan baking" book, right? I expected the ingredients to use good things in them but instead they call for "sugar". Yuck!

We have already made several recipes from this great cookbook in the couple of weeks that we've owned it. My eleven year old daughter is trying to lay claim to it (no chance! It's mine!!). Whether you are an aspiring vegan or veteran, you will love this cookbook. Vegan baking is the bomb and this is the best tomb of knowledge out there on this subject to date. I also recommend Veganomicon as a great overall vegan cookbook. Simple recipes in both, delivered with enthusiasm, fun and expertise.

Enjoy!!!
Perry Tow
Placerville, California

This is one of my very favorite cookbooks and perhaps the most consistently used. Every recipe I've tried is simple and delicious and a big hit at home and the office. I've taken a number of vegan treats to share with non-vegans and they've all been a huge hit and a pleasant surprise to those who thought vegans were only allowed to eat grass and hay. ;-)

The recipes are easy to follow and most of the ingredients can be found at your neighborhood grocery store. The book is also filled with nutritional information and gorgeous photographs that inspire you to get out the cookie sheet, muffin tins, or springform and get baking!

There are not enough good things to say about this cookbook. We are now known as expert Vegan Bakers among our friends and relatives...and our secret is that we're not! We follow these recipes and everyone loves them! The best things about this cookbook are: the tips and tidbits that are tucked in on the pages and the indices that are very comprehensive. Everyone should have this cookbook!

This is one of my favorite cookbooks. It has made my transition to a vegan diet easier and I refer to it often. Not only is it full of great recipes (and I have tried several), but there are also tons of useful tips throughout the book. Definitely worth the investment!

This book has a lot of great familiar desserts that most people will not know are vegan. It includes one of the easiest and most delicious chocolate cake recipes I've seen, and chocolate chip cookies that are fabulous. A lot of great frosting recipes too that can go with anything and be modified in many ways. This book is essential for vegans who love classic desserts and want to impress their friends.

I have made at least 10 of the recipes in this book from the pancakes to the chocolate cake, apple cobbler, blueberry cobbler, and my husband even made the baklava. I usually make these for dinner parties and people are always raving at how great they are. When I tell them it's from my Vegan cookbook they don't believe me. Seriously. I haven't made a bad recipe yet! I've made the chocolate chip cookies 3 or 4 times...Great cookbook.

I want to start out by saying that I really do enjoy this cookbook, and I use it often, however I believe that is because it is one of the only dedicated vegan baking books out there at the moment.

I was very excited when this came out and I was able to purchase it. It has a wide range of recipes that also includes breads and ethnic treats. Here is the slight problem I have with it. Nearly every recipe requires the use of Egg Replacer, Vegan margarine, regular sugar, and basic all purpose flower. Although in the beginning of the book I believe it talks about the use of substitutes for these items, it doesn't really give many examples of it. In some recipes it uses large quantities of vegan margarine. Basically you can take any non-vegan recipe, look at it and substitute milk for soymilk, butter for vegan margarine and eggs with egg replacer. It does not make the recipes unique, it does not give them much more thought, it doesn't really show off what vegan baking can be in its creativity and health benefits.

Until a better vegan baking book comes out, it is worth the purchase. You can always try your hand at playing around with the recipe ingredients.

how delicious! i've been baking out of this book for a few months now, so i can honestly say its recipes are excellent. I've been wowing vegans and non-vegans alike since my first attempt (the fudge) straight through my most recent (the cinnamon coffee cake). In fact, I've had to buy two extra copies because I was getting tired of being asked for the recipes and will give the book instead.

I like this book alot. I found the ones with fruit or veg work the best. The choc cake wont work for me i have tried 4 times. may be because we have australian mesurements ?? not sure. went back to my own recepie for that one.
I bought this for my daughter as she has an egg and nut allergy.The only problem was that the book has come apart already. The binding is not good.
However the carrot cake is the best even my egg eating friends love it and say it's the best ever!!. we just didn't put in the nuts.
Over all pretty happy and love all the pics!!!
t

Great recipes, taste just like their non vegan versions. Yet you can't mistake vegan for healthy. As in all baking there is lots of sugar and (vegan) butter which is basically margarine. But if you have a sweet tooth and want to keep vegan this is the book to bake with!!! It also helps if you want to convert a recipe into vegan, it explains or suggests substitutions. Worth having.

So I have a lot of Vegan cookbooks and this one is the BEST. So far the recipes have lived up to the promise, which I cannot say for some of my other books. This cookbook also uses less obscure ingredients. I live in New York City and even I find it difficult to find some of the ingredients in other vegan baking books. Can't say enough good things about this book. WORTH EVERY PENNY!

I am admittedly not vegan, although I admire the lifestyle choice. I discovered the world of vegan desserts because my children have several food allergies. I couldn't stand the thought of them not enjoying baked goods, particularly since I have always enjoyed baking. That said, I must admit that a lot of non-dairy, non-egg attempts at baking some classic desserts were awful, yielding what I thought was worthy of nothing but the trash can. This cookbook has changed that and opened my eyes to the possibilities of vegan baking. I even like some of the vegan versions better than the dairy laden versions. I am so surprised at the negative reviews about the lack of healthy ingredients - these are desserts people!! The best desserts usually rely on rich ingredients and it is already a vast improvement that there are no eggs or milk. If you want healthy sweets go for a granola bar or a bowl of fruit. The occasional dessert treat should be just that and it should be decadent enough to make it worth eating. It seems unfair to give a negative review based on a criteria that the author is not aspiring to. Great job Colleen!!

This is the best BAKING book I've ever seen, much less Vegan baking. Colleen has so many wonderful helpful tips for each recipe to make sure that they turn out the best possible. After taking a cooking class from her while in San Francisco, we couldn't WAIT for her cookbook to come out and now eagerly await her next cookbook. We tried to buy it right away but they were SOLD OUT instantly and we had to wait for the next order.
Colleen is an inspiration and a wonderful creative cook. I have made over 20 recipes from this book already and every one has turned out perfect and had rave reviews.
I used it for all of my holiday baking for non-vegan family and everyone loved it.

I bought this book almost as soon as it hit the shelves last fall. At the time, I didn't know anything about Colleen, her activism, her podcast, her website, etc. I just saw it at the bookstore & it was (and is!) beautiful. The layout is so convenient, the pictures are gorgeous, and the instructions are easy-to-follow. I have been using this book quite often ever since buying it 6 months ago.

I have never made a recipe from "The Joy of Vegan Baking" that didn't turn out perfectly. A few of my favorites are: Butterscotch Pudding, Chocolate Chip Cookies, Mexican Wedding Cookies, Focaccia (best bread I've ever had!), Hot Chocolate, and the Light Lemon Bundt Cake with Lemon Sauce (I take the liberty of adding blueberries to this one). I always get rave reviews--all from my omnivore friends & family!

One feature that I really like in this book are the "Food Lore" snippets placed on some recipe pages. Here, Colleen explains the history of the dish, or shares an interesting factoid about it. I was also pleasantly surprised to see that the recipes included in the book aren't ALL baked goods; smoothies, teas, puddings, and others are also present.

I love that this book seems to be made with EVERYONE in mind: meat- and dairy-eaters, as well as the veg crowd. Some vegan cookbooks have recipes that I personally find delicious, but I can willingly admit that they are a little too "crunchy granola" or "earthy tasting" for most to whole-heartedly enjoy. Not so in this book!

Also worth noting... Some people think "vegan" = "health food," and that misconception has led to some negative reviews. Just by virtue of these recipes being egg- & dairy-free, they're a bit healthier. But vegans know how to indulge, too! :) This book is not lowfat. It is not whole grain. It is now low-calorie. But it's perfect for special occasions, or for sharing desserts with those picky (or skeptical) eaters in your life. The dishes are so comforting & familiar, and don't taste like "the vegan version" of an old favorite; they taste just like the egg- and dairy-laden version, only better & cruelty-free! They're by no means "diet food," but traditional desserts aren't meant to be! And if you don't like using white sugar & flour (like me), replace some of it with the healthier alternative of your choosing... The recipes are flexible enough to lend themselves to some tweaking!

I also want to say that if you like this book, you'll love the author's podcast. "Vegetarian Food for Thought" is smart, insightful, supportive and SO INSPIRING! I want to tell everyone I know about it because it's THAT amazing.

I highly, highly recommend this book--for beginning cooks, advanced chefs, and everyone in-between!

First, an admission. I'm not vegan. I have a dairy allergy but I still loved baked goods--I love to bake them and I love to eat them. The biggest challenge for me is finding the right balance of soy milk and oils in baking. I've had so many mishaps. So to find a book that doesn't rely on any dairy products is wonderful. I was anxious about buying this book because I thought that it would be too earthy-crunchy or use hard-to-find ingredients or just be too strange. Instead, it is chock full of great recipes, is presented very well and the recipes are easy to follow. I'm very happy with this purchase.

Ms. Patrick-Goudrea's cookbook has moved to the front of the line of all of my dessert cookbooks. Her recipes deliver. The proof they say, is in the pudding, and the taste is all there. I made the peanut butter cookies with chocolate chips for my daughter's kindergarten class. The children loved them. The chocolate cake is fantastic. No eggs, no dairy. It is amazing that you can make such moist, decadent desserts without the traditional ingredients we all grew up with and never miss a thing. AND in these tight economic times, it is great to know that one box of egg-replacer equals about 114 eggs! Not only do her recipes deliver, but her tips are very useful. It is like she is standing in the kitchen with you. Patrick-Goudreau also helps you stock your pantry, and plainly demystifies "vegan" labels. What does it really mean? By switching to egg and dairy alternatives, you are being more compassionate toward animals, you can save money, and you could be eating a healthier dessert! Back to the main point: These recipes are delicious. Your tastebuds will love every morsel. Patrick-Goudreau has created the right desserts that prove you do not need eggs and cow's milk for a sweet treat. This is baking for the 21st century and beyond. Give this cookbook a try. It will be a star in your culinary library. Happy baking!

This past weekend I tried out my first recipes from this book (Chocolate Cake page 72 & Buttercream Frosting page 231). I made the dessert for 4 non-vegetarians/vegans. I've tried to veganize baked goods myself in the past and have just not had a lot of luck with textures and consistencies. I bought this book because I hoped I'd be able to bake things my whole (non-veg) family would enjoy that I could feel good about making. Baking homemade birthday cakes is my absolute favorite thing to do in the kitchen.

I was so thrilled to see not only how easy this cake was but how great it tasted, looked and felt. The cake was moist and flavorful and the frosting was a huge hit with my extended family (lots of licking of beaters). I even got to lick the cake batter bowl which with non-vegan batter that contains eggs no one should really do but especially a pregnant lady. The batter was so good!

I see that some reviewers think this book is too basic or not experimental enough. But our family is on an EXTREMELY tight budget. Would I like to use all kinds of cool, hard-to-find ingredients in recipes? Sure. But the reality for us is that we have to keep our pantry stocked with the basics. To be able to bake vegan desserts that everyone likes on my budget is fantastic.

I can't wait to try out more recipes. I have about 1/3 of the pages folded down for that purpose. With a holiday this weekend, I'm sure I'll find something fun to make for a group of 10 non-veg folks.

This book has lots of creative ideas. I have baked many of the recipes. A word of caution. Some of the recipes seem like they are written by someone else. Also several of the recipes have to be tweaked. By this I mean, directions are either unclear or down right poor. Example, I made the cinnamon rolls, in the directions it tells you to use a baking sheet...I did this and ended up with rolls and sticky filling on the bottom of my oven. I think the concepts are great, but some of them seem like maybe she hasn't actually put them to use herself. I have just modified them when I need to. While the book certainly is 'pretty', as an end user I could care less as long as the recipes result in some success. You can find many of these recipes on line for free with more clear directions. I think she had a good idea, i bought the book, but I think maybe actually making all of the recipes and making directions more clear is more important than pretty pictures. if I could have given this a 3 1/2 stars I would have. try www.veganchef.com

The Vegan Baking Cookbook was a gift for my birthday,from my son.
We both choose to be Vegan. I am addicted to this book. I've already made
so many of the recipes, which are sooo unbelievably delicious.
The best part is that many of the recipes have very few ingredients.
My 10 yr. old niece found a smoothie recipe that she made herself.
I am thrilled to know that we are eating well and cooking with compassion at the same time. I would highly recommend this book to anyone who loves to bake.

This book not only includes recipes for Vegan baked goods (including non-deserts such as wheat bread) but tips on baking, vegan products, and veganism in general.
I can't say enough good things about the author and highly encourage anyone who even has the smallest curiosity about vegetarianism/veganism to listen to her podcast "Vegetarian Food for Thought."

Finally a full vegan baking cookbook that a new vegan can use to transition into the vegan lifestyle. This is one the most beautiful vegan baking cookbooks I have ever seen. I forgot that I was perusing a vegan baking cookbook because all the photographs reminded me of any one of the non-vegan colorful cookbooks. The glossy pages and enticing photographs called me to the kitchen. This is truly a good beginning for an amazing journey of easy, fun vegan baking for everyday common baked goods.

There is a great mix of recipes that every new and not so new vegan/vegetarian wishes to eat, yet are hard pressed to find. Most of the time a massive search in a variety of sources would be the norm just to find a non-vegan favorite in vegan form. I love hoe the recipes are laid out in such a way that you can most nearly see how easy it can be to make straight substitutions in non vegan recipes. Vegan and non-vegan ingredients are explained, as well as different hints and tips are given.

Colleen Patrick-Goudreau gives an excellent introduction into her world and the world of a vegan lifestyle. I also loved how she opens herself to share her journey in detail, while empowering others through knowledge about what goes into their bodies. It is refreshing to experience someone so passionate and compassionate about this way of life. I look forward with a fork, spoon and napkin for the next cookbook arrival from Ms. Goudreau. Happy Tasting!

This book is everything you could ever want and more. The recipes are flawless, the pictures are exquisite, and the food is sublime! Colleen Patrick Goudreau left no stone unturned. If you don't LOVE this book, your taste buds are dead.

This book fell apart in my hand
in less than a day, leaving me with
a sheaf of papers and some black
thoughts about the manufactuer.
The glue was defective.
Now I must get the thing rebound.
They should put the book in a coil
binding. That way it would stay flat
and not fall apart. I like cookbooks
that do that. This one obviously didn't.
Having said that ... the content
is good. But the author and publisher
must look into constructing it
way better than it is now.

I have always loved baking, but after becoming a vegan about six months ago, it seemed to take the fun out of baking, to calculate all of the replacements and to go through the hassle. I received this book for Christmas, and every recipe I have used has turned out amazingly!!! Didn't think pancakes would taste good without cow's milk? HA!! Chocolate chip cookies need eggs and butter? Think again! The title is quite appropriate, as Colleen really has brought the joy back to baking for me. Your non-vegan friends will no longer make faces at your "weird" food. Instead, they'll be asking you for the recipes, as mine have done. I will never again enter my kitchen, attempting to make something new without consulting Colleen!!!

I don't know how I got along without this cookbook. It has helped push me from vegetarian to concious vegan. Now I don't need to use milk and eggs to bake anymore. Love the oatmeal raisin cookies! Thank you!!!

I just got this cookbook for Christmas and I already love it. The author uses "regular" ingredients so even a non-vegan baker can easily use this book. Most of the recipes are very simple and are quite delicious. Even the "basic" chocolate cake is pretty special, and took me about 10 minutes to put together, with ingredients that I already stock in my pantry. This book is a must-have for bakers of all kinds, vegan or not.

My husband and I love this cookbook. For both of us, the transition to becoming vegan was a bit scarey. We were sad about the possibility of never having all of our favorite comfort foods. Thanks to the cookbook we make peanut butter cookies, lemon bars, and yummy muffins and feel nothing but excitement and pleasure with every delicious bite.

The book is also very user friendly. The pictures are beautiful and the information is presented in such an accessible manner. We are such huge fans of the cookbook and the author. We are delighted that we purchased the cookbook.

I've been baking goodies out of the Joy of Vegan Baking for the past few months and I'm so amazed that each and every recipe is absolutely fantastic. I've been bringing these incredible treats into work for my co-workers each week and they always receive raves from non vegans who also ask for the recipe. The raspberry oat bars, chocolate chip cookies, carrot cake, chocolate cake, just to name a few of the items I've sampled are amazing. Bravo Colleen for creating such a fantastic vegan cookbook!

This is perhaps the best baking book I have ever come across vegan, or not. It's beautifully done with pictures, tips, stories, and background to baking without animal products. I think it would definitely be very useful in finding recipes for any occasion. I have tried several so far and they come out perfect. In the beginning she goes over all the different ways to replace eggs, milk, and fat. It's also great because she advocates a whole foods diet, so there's nothing too processed in any of the recipes. Whether or not they are labeled vegan, these recipes are certainly healthier alternatives to traditional baked goods without skimping out on any flavor! Have I sold you the book yet?

I've never been a baker . . . that is, before I bought this cookbook. It is truly outstanding. I've had to limit myself to only making one new recipe per week or else I'd never leave the kitchen (not to mention the weight I'd likley gain - LOL). It is not only full of great recipes (so far my 2 favourites are are the corn bread and the olive and sun-dried tomato bread), but it is full of great information. The "tips" are wonderful, the pictures are inspiring and the outcome is delicious!!!!

Congratulations and thank you Colleen for this gift to the palate!

Ther are so many reasons to love this cookbook as well as the author.First the cookbook is beautiful. Second the recipes are to die for especially the lemon cheesecake. My husband who is not vegan loved ever bite and was shock to learn it contained no animal products( i waited until he finished and gave his comment on how good it was)to tell him.Finally I visited the author's blog and she renewed my commitment to becoming and staying vegan.Thanks Colleen for caring enough to write this cookbook and have a caring heart for the planet and animals.

Colleen has charmed her way into our hearts with her award-winning podcast; now she warms our tummies with delicious vegan recipes that are superb! Her book provides us with a multitude of ways we can replace animal products in our baking with natural ingredients, such as fruit. Colleen's unique gift for sharing her message and culinary talents are so inspiring that every kitchen needs to have this fantastic resource on hand!

I purchased this cookbook for my daughter-in-law, as I had attended one of Colleen Patrick-Goudreau's cooking classes and it was just the best. My daughter-in-law was thrilled & I think if I can't get it back from her to copy some recipes, I will have to purchase another copy for myself!! So many wonderful recipes to try.

I ADORE this book. It is beautifully written, incredibly easy to follow and the recipes are excellent! It is a joy to read and a joy to use. I have made several recipes from this book and have been delighted at how well they came out and how delicious they were.

I also like how balanced the recipes are and how thorough and professional the cookbook is. I think this is a must-own cookbook for anyone who cooks, regardless of their food ethics.

Colleen truly demystifies vegan baking and makes it easy and accessible. I have found it difficult over the years to explain vegan baking and cooking to non-vegans, and I think from now on I'll just give them a copy of the cookbook with my favorite recipes dog-eared and words of encouragement. Anyone, from the seasoned chef to the beginner, will enjoy The Joy Of Vegan Baking!

This cookbook has it all: ease of use, delicious recipes, well-written instructions and descriptions, an affordable price point, and HEART. I cannot wait for Colleen's next book!

This book rocks! It takes vegan baking to a whole new level. Everything I have made so far(Lemon Cheesecake, Lemon Bars, Chocolate, Chip Cookies, Peanut Butter Cookies, and Peanut Butter Chocolate Cupcakes) has been devoured by non-vegans and vegans. I have requests from non-vegans to make them some baked goods for pay. I say all this to say that this book is terrific and if it is not a part of your collection you are truly missing out. I highly recommend this book to vegan and non vegan cooks!!!

I'm new to vegan baking, and am baking up a storm after buying this book.

Try the raspberry oatmeal bars, chocolate chip cookies and sugar cookies with Royal Icing(the almond extract in this recipe gives it a nice flavor). Outstanding. These taste better than their non-vegan counterparts, and I'm a tough critic when it comes to cookies.

"The Joy of Vegan Baking" by Colleen Patrick-Goudreau is an essential cookbook for anyone interested in egg- and dairy-free baking. The recipes are easy to understand, even for beginning bakers, the ingredients are accessible, and Colleen covers many of the delicious comfort foods that you don't have to give up when removing eggs and dairy from the diet. The layout of the book is gorgeous and easy to read, and the different indices (sorted by ingredients, seasons and holidays/celebrations) are appreciated. The cornbread is moist and flavorful with a great crumb, the peanut butter chocolate bars bring back fond childhood memories, the peanut butter cookies with chocolate chips are rich, sweet and chewy and the pumpkin cheesecake with pecan crust is an appreciated departure from the standard pumpkin pie during the holidays. This is certainly not a health food book, but the food is definitely good for the soul. These recipes will make any skeptic a believer in vegan baked goods. Great job, Colleen!

I was excited when this book came out as there are so few vegan baking books out there. The photos are impressive, but unfortunately, the recipes are a disappointment. The author seems to have taken standard recipes and switched out the eggs and butter for Ener-G egg replacer and vegan margarine (which she calls vegan butter - isn't this an oxymoron?). There is absolutely nothing creative here! There are no recipes that utilize any of the alternative whole grain flours or unrefined sweeteners out there or different oils, such as coconut, palm ,walnut, safflower,etc.

My vegan friends, you can make a delicious pie crust with walnut oil, whole wheat pastry flour and water...and the ingredients don't have to be COLD. You can make fabulous scones with agave nectar and no egg replacer. Please go beyond these tired recipes and BE CREATIVE! Purchase this book if you love all-purpose white flour, Earth Balance spread and Ener-G egg replacer in everything you make.

This cookbook is so amazing! I have always loved to bake, and this cookbook makes me want to bake all the time. I have tried many of the recipes, and aside from myself, all the tasters have not been vegan, but they have eaten every last crumb of the oatmeal raisin cookies, the pumpkin spice bread, and all the other treats I have made from this gem of a book! Colleen is such an inspiration to vegans everywhere! Thank you so much for shedding some light on veganism and changing the world one cookie at a time!!

The recipes in here are pretty good, though it's the techniques I've found more useful. It's convenient to have a repository that tells me how to substitute tofu for eggs and such - helpful when I'm veganizing a recipe. That said, most of the dishes I've tried have been ok, not fantastic. Generally I had to heavily doctor everything to get a really rich taste and good texture...one recipe for carrot cake (when baked the way the recipe says) turned out so wet that I had to throw it away after a day. If you're new to vegan baking, stick to other authors, like the women responsible for the fabulous blogs The Post Punk Kitchen (Isa Chandra Moskowitz) and Fat Free Vegan (Susan V). If you've got some confidence in the kitchen, this book will be good for inspiration and technical reminders.

As a new "vegan" family my husband and 2 teenagers were terrified that eating a healthier, more socially responsible diet would mean giving up all the wonderful baked goods we love. I've been cooking for many years but didn't really know how to manage converting my old life recipes into foods we could eat. This book is wonderful! I'm able to find the ingredients and (don't laugh) pronounce all the ingredient's names. The foods taste wonderful (no saw dust goodies here). I can't imagine anyone who likes to bake not loving this book....and when my picky teenagers ask for me to bake "food we can eat" and report back to me that they had to share with everyone else -- we know we have a hit!

I love this cookbook! I am vegan but love my sweets. The only thing that would make it better would be pie recipes that don't call for tofu... I prefer pumpkin pie and pecan pie that don't require tofu because I find that using tofu can overwhelm the pie with that taste. The cookies and tarts and other recipes are well thought out and delicious. And the pictures are beautiful!