Vegan Shop-Ups Pretty Much Rule

I feel awfully crummy about not being able to make the Vegan Shop-Up this weekend The Vegan Shop-Up has, unfortunately but understandably, been postponed due to the impending snowstorm [Update: as of 2/8/13 11:00am the Shop-Up is back on!]; so, I thought I would assuage my disappointment by revisiting some goodies that somehow missed being blogged.

I'll start with Alchemy Creamery.  I don't usually post (human) portraits on my blog, but Giuseppe's great expression had to make the cut.  Plus, he was holding my generous cup of chocolate chai ice cream, which was incredibly deserving of being showcased and wouldn't otherwise have been since after this picture was taken it immediately jumped into my mouth.  I swear that I didn't intend to stuff my face so gluttonously on this particular day (having just come from Champ's), but my will-power was no match for chocolate chai.  


the charming alcreamist


My partner in ice cream crime went with a mix of apple pie and pumpkin because after tasting them she couldn't choose.

Rest assured that these were only the flavors offered on this particular day; their list of non-dairy, gluten free offerings is long and rotating.

Was this the same Shop-Up?  I can't remember.  But check out this one in an amazing line of superbly pickled bloody Marys I've devoured at perennial Shop-Up host Pine Box Rock Shop.  One note: if I could implore other Shop-Up attendees to leave the bar for the imbibers that would be great.  I'm too clumsy to drink while walking and shopping during these crowded events, so it's nice to be able to grab a stool when the urge hits- rather than to watch, thirstily, as the bar remains impenetrable due to swarms of non-drinking peeps simply taking a break from the fun.

Our furry friends are not to be overlooked at the Vegan Shop-Up; no siree.  I picked up this awesome cookie for 89 from Heirloom Vegan Eatery.

 Here it is again right before she scarfed it down like her idol, me.

A relative newbie to the Shop-Ups is La Pirata Kitchen, an organic vegan bakery.  I got sucked in because they were sampling an awful lot of things that sounded right up my alley- like shortbread and marzipan.  I got a few of these linzer tarts for my family and they were even better than they looked- and they looked flawlessly gorgeous.  Easily the best linzer tart I've ever had, and I truly appreciated how carefully they packaged them so that they arrived home looking exactly as displayed.


Heirloom Vegan Eatery doesn't only make dog cookies; they make people food too!

They're usually in the back, so since Pine Box is big I'm usually pretty full from having eaten my way through.  On this day, though, I still managed to squeeze in their homemade (!) tater tots with hot sauce.

The Cinnamon Snail remains a huge hit wherever it roams- including at the Shop-Up.  This even though the winter months make it prohibitive to enjoy your grub curbside.

By now I imagine that you're all familiar with Gone Pie's goodies.  But what you might not know is that they're always creating new things (chocolate almond tart, I'm coming for you).  For instance, have you tried a chocolate peanut butter primate yet?

photo credit: JD Gut

Just because I'm going to miss this weekend's Vegan Shop-Up doesn't mean you should.  Do yourself a favor and check it out!

Preview: More Valentines Than You Can Handle

Vegan Treats might be in the far-off distant land of Bethlehem, PA, but they are one busy shop.  You might recall that I bought Christmas cookies at Hanukkah?  Well, it turned out to be a good move since they happened to be out once Christmas rolled around!  Poor me; I had to make due with only cakes and cannolis.  I couldn't run the risk of missing out on Valentine's day booty, so once they started posting the swag I put my family on the case.  Yes, sometimes it takes a village.

I can't resist a sugar cookie under normal circumstances, but pink & red hearts?  Swoon.

VM hates peanut butter and chocolate, but she knows I love it: peanut butter cups!

I don't know what they did differently this time around, but these were even better than the last time I'd had them: the chocolate especially was thicker and all-around yummier.  So.  Good.

And they didn't stop there.  Remember the speculoos bomb that may have trumped the original peanut butter bomb?  Well let me introduce you to the speculoos cup:

Wowza.  I don't know what those sprinkles on the top are, but they are really yummy.

I've thought long and hard about which cup is my favorite, but eventually realized there was no need to choose.

As long as we've entered the realm of candies, howzabout the Vegan Treats' twix "caramel cookie twin sticks"?  Yep; you heard me: cookie, caramel, and chocolate.  It's been too long, my friends.

Also, mounds "swiss chocolate coconut bars": chocolate and coconut.

Oh, and you know what?  They also do Valentine's candy boxes now too.  This is no joke, people; get on this pronto.

I believe this was the medium box.  VT's description: twin caramel cookie bars, peanut butter truffle, marshmallow milk chocolate cup, salted caramel pyramid, coconut truffle, speculoos filled dark chocolate, peanut butter cup, white chocolate rose truffle and two mint filled dark chocolate patties.

Take a closer look at these bad boys with my own, rudimentary descriptions: toasted coconut cream, milk chocolate with marshmallow cream, chocolate-encased mint, chocolate peanut butter cheesecake truffle, mini-PB cup, dark chocolate caramel, another mint, Speculoos truffle, and white chocolate with chocolate cream filling.

I had every intention of photographing each chocolate individually, but once I started noshing I couldn't bring myself to pause for photography. 

I may have also gotten the small (but mighty) box.  In my defense, the flavors were different; what was I going to do, not try them?  "triple peanut truffle, caramel pecan turtle, hazelnut praline dark chocolate, and milk chocolate mocha staircase."

Vegan Treats is an amazing bakery.  How they've managed to expand their offerings to include such fancified and decadent chocolates defies logic.  It's magic!  If you can't get to the shoppe, do yourself a favor and buy some of their amazing offerings online.

As for Valentine's Day, don't despair.  It's early; there's more to come.  I say, THERE'S MORE TO COME.  Don't read that unless you're my parents, a.k.a. my sweets suppliers.  Or do.  I'll DM you my address.