Foodsday Tuesday: Alternative Baking

My Texas upbringing makes me generally suspicious of anybody who doesn't eat meat, and even more suspicious of those who have completely sworn off animal products altogether. (To be perfectly honest, I'm not sure I'd ever heard of veganism until college.) I'm tofu-averse, completely addicted to cheese, and entirely too fond of bacon in all its various incarnations. Though not generally a fan of dessert, I tend to believe that the best ones are made from metric tons of butter and/or cream and/or eggs, and so if I'm feeling like a final course, I almost always order the crème brûlée.

Which all goes to say that when Vegan Treats in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, started getting buzz, I wasn't interested. Vegan cheesecake? Without actual cheese? What was this heresy? Even if I had a big sweet tooth, how could I pass up the real deal for something that would no doubt be tasteless, lifeless, and more importantly, animal product-less.

And then, a friend o' Phillyist offered to send some Vegan Treats my way. Careful to clarify that he, himself, is not a vegan, he offered a strong endorsement, calling the desserts some of the best he's ever had, eggs and cream and butter be damned.

And holy shit, he wasn't too far off base.

Three (three!) boxes of assorted goodies arrived at my office one Thursday and the contents were quickly devoured by myself and my coworkers, with not much left to take home to Ross. (I did rescue the "Chocolate Peanut Butter Mousse Bomb" for him, about which he simply stated "FTW." I think that's an endorsement.) The texture of the treats was definitely different from their animal product-laden counterparts, but not distractingly so, and the flavors were all dead on. The triple berry and caramel apple cheesecakes were among my personal favorites, and the chocolate-hater in me (that's right, folks, I can't stand the stuff) appreciated the raspberry white chocolate brownie. And oh my, you should see the size of the cookies. The idea of finishing one could cause a lesser person a serious panic attack.

So, have I been converted? Am I going vegan after seeing the light and discovering the sheer un-necessity of animal products in my desserts?

Um, no. Not even kind of. But I would definitely welcome more Vegan Treats into my life, with arms wide open.

Then my conscience would be a little bit clearer after a steak dinner.

Quick Nosh:

• Sad that summer's over and Center City Sips is no more? The Terrace at 13, adjoining the Philadelphia Marriott Downtown, is continuing Sips into September—and expanding to Wednesdays through Fridays.
• Anyone else discovered foodadelphia yet? The epicurean stepchild of the now-defunct PhillyBlog, the site launched two months ago and is beginning to pick up steam. Go join the community!
• The unstoppable Jose Garces has converted the downstairs area of his popular University City restaurant, Distrito, into The Cantina at Distrito, which will feature a special $10-and-under menu. If it's as good as the upstairs menu, which we have no doubt it will be, we strongly recommend you run, don't walk, to get some tasty Mexican treats.
• McGillin's Olde Ale House kicked off Octoberfest last week and will continue celebrating all things beer-related through the fourth annual Midtown Village Fall Festival, on Saturday, October 3.