Get your vegan friendly festivities well underway with our fabulous list of plant-based Christmas treats. From canapés and cakes to chocolates and cocktails, there’s enough here to delight the most discerning vegans this December!
Whether you’re hosting a small gathering pre-Christmas or it’s your turn to make dinner on the big day, you’ll need plenty of snacks to keep your guests going while they wait for the main event. Make a series of vegan canapés and opt for an exciting theme; this year, we’ve opted for pan-Asian, for example. These mushroom and tofu bao buns team up perfectly with rainbow spring rolls, teriyaki tempeh and some coriander scattered pakora. Make a series of delicious dips, such as this show stopping Thai layered number, and chop up crudités to go with them. Enlist the assistance of Santa’s little helpers (a helpful partner or teenage child will do!) to pass them around while you get on with cooking dinner.
If you’ve got vegan visitors popping in over the festive season, be sure to have sweet treats on hand to offer out. Of course, nothing heralds the start of Christmas quite like a cup of tea accompanied by a delicious vegan mince pie, but there are other options, too; vegan children will love these delicious gingerbread biscuits, especially if you use cute cutters and ice them in bright colours. Meanwhile, a fruit-filled slice of Christmas cake complements a cup of coffee perfectly, and this one is suitably rich while retaining a moist, moreish texture.
If you’d like to get crafty in the kitchen and make some gifts for your vegan friends, we recommend a beautifully lined box of this millionaires shortbread, which takes tastebuds on a serious nostalgia trip. We’ve found using an easy release, non stick cake tin gets the most professional results, and be sure to use a very sharp knife when you’re cutting it into bite sized morsels. These delectable dairy free truffles also make fabulous presents, especially when rolled in a coating picked especially for the recipient. Choose from sweet desiccated coconut, crunchy toasted quinoa or a drizzle of vegan salted caramel sauce.
Once dinner has been eaten, gifts have been given and the night draws to a close, what better way to finish the festivities than with a cocktail or two? Many traditional Christmas drinks contain milk, cream or even eggs, but happily, there are lots of excellent alternatives out there. Even the most seasoned cocktail drinkers wouldn’t guess that this luxurious White Russian uses a mix of soya cream and almond milk in place of the drink’s usual double cream. If you’re craving something a little more old school, try your hand at this plant-based version of that retro classic, the Snowball, which swaps out egg-based Advocaat for vegan vanilla custard, and don’t forget the glacé cherry garnish! Round out the evening with this velvety vegan version of Irish cream; serve it over ice, scattered with a sprinkling of cocoa powder for a truly special nightcap.
Are you or your loved ones vegan? And what treats will you be making to keep the plant-based clan happy this Christmas? Let us know in the comments, or tag us in photos of your festive feasts on Instagram!
