VegNews Taste Tests Vegan Holiday Treats

Whether you’re in the middle of a Midwestern snowstorm or dreaming about snow in San Diego, nothing sets the holiday mood like a pumpkin-spice whoopie pie. Pattycake Bakery has perfected these soft, dense cakes stuffed with the fluffiest frosting around. For the perfect complement, pair with Purely Decadent Snickerdoodle dairy-free ice cream, where pumpkin and cinnamon collide for one tasty whoopie-pie sundae. For a quick fix of chocolate, grab a couple bite-sized bits from Sjaak’s. The adorable organic, fair-trade snowmen deliver a satisfying dose of dark chocolate wrapped around crunchy peanut butter—an undeniable combo. To cool things off, get fresh with Pure Fun’s organic candy canes, on their own or as the perfect hot cocoa swizzle stick. These standby holiday sweets double as decorations, but we dare you not to eat them. Trader Joe’s Candy Cane Joe-Joe’s are another must-have minty morsel. Limited to the winter months, these sandwich cookies can cause fanatic outbursts upon their appearance, with their peppermint crème sprinkled with smashed candy canes. With treats this good, your inner Scrooge will be banished indefinitely.

The cozily indulgent spirit of the year’s end also presents the opportunity to pour something a little richer into your after-dinner mug than you might the other 10 months of the year. If you want to drink outside the nog, VN staffers have rounded up this all-star list of the most decadent and diverse non-dairy celebratory beverages, from the store to your well-stocked bar. As our gift to you, we’ve thrown in our top seasonal treats for an extra-special, decadent experience.

Kikkoman Pearl Organic Soymilk Coffee
Bonus: Boasts all-organic ingredients
Why we love it: This caffeinated pick-me-up is the richest of the bunch
Best for: When you want caffeine, dessert, and a nutritional boost

Rice Dream Supreme Chocolate Chai
Bonus: Made with brown rice and high in B12
Why we love it: This flavor is heavy on both the sweet and the spicy
Best for: A dull office party in desperate need of an exciting twist

Rice Dream Horchata
Bonus: Low in sodium
Why we love it: This year-round tipple is seasonally spiced with cinnamon
Best for: When you’re looking to cut the overly sugared feeling in your mouth

Silk Pumpkin Spice
Bonus: Low in fat
Why we love it: In the words of one VN staffer, “It tastes like liquid pumpkin pie”
Best for: When you really can’t justify eating another bite of dessert