Cakes and Pies

If you like to bake, you’ll love Vegetarian Family Cookbook


CHOCOLATE TOFU BANANA "CREAM" PIE
Makes one 9-inch pie, 6 to 8 servings

Silken tofu is a great base for pudding—it has just the right consistency, minus the bother of a flour-thickened sauce.
  • Two 12.3-ounce aseptic packages silken tofu
  • 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips, preferably cane juice sweetened
  • 1/3 cup pure maple syrup or agave nectar, or to taste
  • One 9-inch graham cracker crust
  • 2 medium bananas, thinly sliced
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.

Puree the tofu in a food processor or blender until completely smooth. Transfer to a small saucepan and add the chocolate chips. Cook over medium-low heat, stirring often, until the chocolate chips have melted. Stir in the maple syrup.

Pour the mixture into the crust and bake for 25 minutes to 30 minutes, or until the top of the pudding feels fairly firm to the touch. Allow to cool completely, then refrigerate for at least an hour, preferably two.

Just before serving, cover the top of the pie with thin banana slices arranged in concentric, slightly overlapping circles, then cut into wedges to serve.


CHOCOLATE CHIP PEANUT BUTTER CAKE
Makes 9 to 12 squares, or 8 wedges

This has long been a family favorite. A version of it is in my first book, Vegetariana, but here I’ve updated it—no more margarine, milk, or eggs, but still a moist, rich, super-easy treat. I often make it when I’m asked to bring dessert to a gathering, and when I do, I double the recipe so I can leave one of the cakes at home!
  • 1 cup whole wheat pastry flour
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1/3 cup natural granulated sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 cup applesauce
  • 1/2 cup plain rice milk or soymilk
  • 1/2 cup natural style peanut butter, at room temperature
  • 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips (preferably a natural brand)
  • 1/3 cup chopped peanuts, optional
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.

Combine the flour, baking powder, sugar, and salt in a mixing bowl and stir together.

Combine the applesauce, rice milk, and peanut butter in another bowl and whisk together until smooth. Pour into the flour mixture and stir together until fairly well blended, then use a whisk until the mixture is smooth.

Stir in the chocolate chips and optional peanuts. Pour into a lightly oiled 9-inch round or square cake pan. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes or until golden on top, and a knife inserted into the center comes out with chocolate, but no batter.

Allow to cool to room temperature or just warm, then cut into squares or wedges to serve.


FRESH APPLE CAKE
Make one 9- by 13-inch cake, 12 or more servings

This is one of those foolproof recipes that I rely on quite often when I want an easy and tasty homemade dessert for guests.
  • 2 cups whole wheat pastry flour
  • 1/3 cup natural granulated sugar
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 cup vanilla soy yogurt
  • 3/4 cup undiluted organic apple juice concentrate
  • 1/4 cup safflower oil
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 2 l/2 cups peeled apple, any baking variety, cut into l/2-inch dice
  • 1/2 cup chopped walnuts
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.

Combine the first 6 (dry) ingredients in a mixing bowl.

In another bowl, combine the yogurt, juice concentrate, oil, and vanilla and stir vigorously to combine. Make a well in the center of the dry ingredients and pour in the wet mixture. Stir together until thoroughly combined, then stir in the apples and walnuts.

Pour into a lightly oiled 9- by 13-inch baking pan. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes, or until golden and a knife inserted into the center tests clean.

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Nava's Books
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Secret Recipes for the Modern Wife

Vegetarian Soups for All Seasons

Vegan Express

Vegetarian Family Cookbook

Vegetarian 5-Ingredient Gourmet

Vegetariana

Vegetarian Express

Great American Vegetarian

Pasta East to West

Vegetarian Celebrations

Expect the Unexpected When  You're Expecting