1. PiperLeaf

About: Piperleaf specializes in dairy-free “mylk” chocolates, crafted to provide a creamy texture without any dairy ingredients. They focus on creating indulgent chocolate experiences while catering to vegan and lactose-intolerant consumers.

Specialty: Their mylk chocolates are known for their smooth texture and rich flavor, offering a dairy-free alternative to traditional milk chocolates. Piperleaf also emphasizes using high-quality ingredients to maintain taste and health benefits.

Price: Starting at ₹199 + delivery. 

Where to Find: Available for purchase at select vegan specialty stores and online retailers. Check local health food stores or vegan product outlets for availability.

2. Mason & Co

About: Mason & Co. specializes in organic, single-origin, vegan dark chocolates. They follow a meticulous bean-to-bar process, starting with cacao pods harvested from ripe trees and fermenting the beans with their pulp intact to enhance flavor.

Specialty: Their range includes 15 flavors of dark chocolate bars, such as Intense, Signature, Zesty Orange, and more. They also offer pantry items like cacao powder, cacao nibs, and cacao butter, all crafted with the same dedication to quality and sustainability.

Price:

• Each standard 60g chocolate bar is priced at ₹385.00.
• Pantry items range from ₹480.00 for chocolate spreads to ₹1,100.00 for cacao powder.

Where to Find: Available for purchase online through their official website. Additionally, check major online retailers and specialty vegan stores for availability.

3. Soothys 

About: Soothys specializes in artisanal vegan chocolates, crafted with high-quality ingredients and a dedication to vegan principles. They offer a range of chocolate products suitable for those following a vegan lifestyle.

Specialty: Known for their artisanal approach, Soothys’ chocolates are crafted to deliver exceptional taste and quality without any animal-derived ingredients. They emphasize ethical sourcing and sustainable practices in chocolate production.

Price: Starting at ₹130. 

Where to Find: Available for purchase directly through their website, making it convenient for customers to order online. Additionally, Soothys chocolates may be available at select retailers or through partnerships with online vegan and specialty food stores.

4. Ditch The Guilt – All About Cacao Vegan Dark Chocolate

About: Ditch The Guilt specializes in vegan dark chocolate that is crafted to be low in net carbs, low in calories, and free from added sugars. Their focus is on providing a guilt-free chocolate option for health-conscious consumers.

Specialty: Their chocolate is known for being vegan, dark, and made without any added sugars, catering to those looking for a healthier chocolate alternative without compromising on taste.

Price: Starting at ₹89.  

Where to Find: Available for purchase directly through their website. It’s recommended to check their online store for availability and to place orders.

5. Ambriona Daarzel Collection

About: Ambriona’s Daarzel collection features a variety of vegan and gluten-free dark chocolates crafted with high-quality ingredients, including Indian-origin cocoa. From classic dark chocolate to unique flavors like blueberry and orange, each bar is designed to offer a rich and intense chocolate experience.

Specialty: Their specialty lies in offering a range of dark chocolates with varying cocoa percentages and added ingredients like nuts, fruits, and flavors, catering to diverse tastes and dietary preferences.

Starting Price: Starting at ₹199. 

Where to Find: Available for purchase directly through Ambriona’s website. Check their online store for availability and to place orders.

6. Paul and Mike 

About: Paul And Mike is dedicated to producing fine flavor chocolates, named after Latin American cocoa farmers. Based in Kochi, Kerala, Paul and Mike specializes in farm-to-bark chocolates.

Specialty: Their offerings include unique combinations like Gin & Candied Ginger, Sichuan Pepper & Orange Peel, and Indian Style Masala Chai. Their chocolates span various cocoa percentages and include options sweetened with dates, infused with whisky or bourbon, and more.

Starting Price: Starting at ₹250. 

Where to Find: Available for purchase directly through Paul And Mike’s website.

7. Pascati

About: Pascati was founded by Devansh Ashar, driven by his passion for chocolate and commitment to quality. Starting from his bedroom with modified equipment, Pascati quickly gained recognition for its commitment to organic and fair trade practices, becoming India’s first USDA Organic and Fairtrade-compliant chocolate brand.

Specialty: Pascati’s chocolates are crafted to highlight unique flavors such as Blueberry Walnut, Raspberry Hibiscus, Mint, Orange Cinnamon Hazelnut, Sea Salt, Passionfruit Almond, and 72% Kerala.

Starting Price: Minis start at ₹135. 

Where to Find: Available for purchase through Pascati’s website and in various major cities across India. Look for Pascati chocolates in select retail outlets and hotel minibars.

8. Pink Harvest’s Bean to Bark

About: Pink Harvest focuses on offering healthy, vegan, and gluten-free chocolate options. Their process emphasizes sustainability and traceability, ensuring that every bar is made with care and precision.

Specialty: They offer a variety of flavors, each designed to provide a unique and satisfying chocolate experience.

Starting Price: Starting at ₹260. 

Where to Find: Available for purchase through Pink Harvest’s website and at most major online retail stores. Check their online store for availability and to place orders.

9. The Whole Truth

About: The Whole Truth Foods prides itself on transparency and honesty in its ingredient sourcing and product creation. Their chocolates are made without hidden ingredients, ensuring that consumers know exactly what they consume.

Specialty: The Whole Truth Foods offers a range of flavors designed to cater to various taste preferences while maintaining a commitment to health and wellness.

Starting Price: Starting at ₹149. 

Where to Find: Available for purchase through The Whole Truth Foods’ website.

From the artisanal bean-to-bar creations of Mason & Co. to the innovative flavors of Paul and Mike, there’s something for every chocolate lover. Each brand brings its own unique approach to vegan chocolate, emphasizing quality, sustainability, and deliciousness. Whether you’re looking for a classic dark chocolate bar, a nutty delight, or a fruity twist, this list has you covered. So, treat yourself and explore the diverse world of vegan chocolates—your taste buds will thank you!

– Contributed by Meenal R

Join 10 Weeks to Vegan Instagram and Facebook groups and share your favorite vegan South Indian recipes with the community.

Servings: 5

Preparation time: 20 minutes.

Ingredients

• 10-15 chopped cashews
• 1 tsp coconut oil
• 400 g grated carrots
• 1 cup plant milk, preferably cashew milk or coconut milk
• 250 g crushed tofu
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1 tsp cardamom powder
• Optional: Raisins

Instructions

1. Heat a pan and add coconut oil to it. Add cashews and shallow fry them. Add grated carrot and cook till the carrot becomes soft. If you’re not adding oil, just heat a pan, roast the cashews and add grated carrot. Cook till the carrot becomes soft.
2. Add the plant milk, crushed tofu, and sugar.
3. Stir the mixture and cook for 5-10 mins on a medium flame. Add cardamom powder and raisins.
4. Empty into a bowl and enjoy!

Serve cold or whichever way you like. Tofu helps in getting the exact consistency and taste. We can always experiment with vegan alternatives and recipes. If you don’t have time to experiment, don’t worry, I am already doing it for you. Please keep checking my blog if you wish to know more about vegan alternatives.

Ingredients:

1. 2 fresh guava leaves
2. A pinch of turmeric powder
3. ½ cup coconut oil
4. 5-6 curry leaves
5. Salt to taste

Directions:

1. Heat the oil. When it starts boiling, turn off the heat.
2. Crush the guava leaves and curry leaves and add them to the oil.
3. Add the turmeric powder.
4. Keep it aside for about an hour for the flavors to infuse.
5. Strain the oil and it’s ready to use.

– Recipe by Sana Shaikh (Instagram:The Rainbow Bite)

Ingredients

1. 6 tbsp soaked cashews
2. 2.5 tbsp coconut oil
3. 9 to 11 tbsp powdered sugar
4. 3/4 cup fine almond powder
5. 1/4 cup fine cashew powder
6. 1/2 tsp crushed cardamom powder
7. Pinch of salt
8. Raw pistachio or almond pieces for garnish

Instructions

1. Make a thick paste with soaked cashews. 
2. Mix the cashew paste and coconut oil with a spoon until it’s mixed well and slightly fluffy. Add powdered sugar and mix again.
3. Add the almond powder, cashew powder, cardamom, and salt and mix well. Taste and adjust sweetness and cardamom.
4. Spread the mixture on parchment, using another parchment paper on top. Even it out and make it into a 1/4-inch thick rectangle.
5. Chill it for 15 mins in the freezer, slice, and separate the pieces a bit. Press chopped pistachios on the barfi pieces.
6. Cut into a square barfi shape and serve.

– Recipe by Sana Shaikh (Instagram: The Rainbow Bite)

Ingredients:

1. 1 tsp coconut oil
2. 2 tbsp chopped almonds
3. 1/2 cup fine semolina flour
4. 1/2 cup boiling water
5. 1/4 tsp ground cardamom
6. 1/4 tsp salt
7. 1 tbsp sugar
8. 1 cup ripe mango puree or mango pulp from the market
9. 5-7 saffron strands

Directions:

Heat oil in a pan over medium heat. Add the nuts and saute until they get golden for 2-3 mins.

Add the semolina, mix, and roast until fragrant. Stir occasionally to avoid burning—3 to 6 mins.

Meanwhile, bring 1 cup of water to a boil. Add saffron or cardamom to the water if using.

Reduce the heat of the semolina pan to low. Add salt, nutritional yeast, sugar, 1/2 cup boiling water, and mango puree. Whisk well and cook for 3 to 4 minutes. 

If you use a coarse semolina (rava) or want a thinner consistency of the pudding, add 1/4 to 1/2 cup more boiling water while adding the mango puree. 

Carefully taste and adjust sweetness. You can also mix in some chopped ripe mango at this point.

Turn off the heat. Garnish with chopped nuts and serve warm or chill according to your liking.

– Recipe by Sana Shaikh (Instagram: The Rainbow Bite)

Ingredients:

1. ¼ cup vegan butter or oil
2. 1 cup sooji (semolina)
3. 1 tbsp vegan butter or oil
4. 5 tbsp cashews
5. 8 to 10 tbsp sugar 
6. A pinch of salt
7. 3/4 tsp ground cardamom
8. 8 strands of saffron
9. 2 inches Cinnamon
10. ¼ cup vegan butter or oil
11. 2 ½ cups water/ coconut milk

Directions:

Take a deep fry pan and turn the heat on. Once hot, add vegan butter or oil. Saute Sooji/ Semolina on low flame for 15-20 mins till it’s golden brown. 

Turn off the heat and keep the sauteed sooji aside.

In another deep pan, take 1 tbsp of oil or vegan butter. Saute nuts till they turn golden brown. 

In another pan, take ¼ cup of vegan butter or oil, and once it’s hot, add cinnamon sticks and saute for 1-2 mins. Then add water, saffron, and salt. 

Once the water starts boiling, add the semolina and stir it thoroughly. Cover it with a lid and cook for 20 mins on low flame.

Once the water is reduced, add sugar and crushed cardamom and stir it well. Cover it with a lid and cook for another 2-3 mins. 

Add fried nuts while serving. 

– Recipe by Sana Shaikh (Instagram: The Rainbow Bite)

Ingredients:

1. 3 Tbsp Basmati Rice
2. ⅓ Cup Jaggery Powder
3. 1 Tbsp Almonds
4. 1 Tbsp Raisins
5. 4 Cups of coconut milk
6. Coconut Milk, if needed to adjust the consistency
7. 8-10 Saffron strands
8. 1 Tbsp Chopped Pistachios
9. 2 Tbsp Coconut Oil
10. ½ Tbsp Rosewater
11. A pinch of salt

Directions:

Wash and rinse the rice. Soak rice for 15 minutes. Strain the rice and crush it in the stone crusher coarsely.
Soak almonds and raisins overnight.
Add 1 Tbsp of Coconut oil to a pot and coarsely ground rice. Saute it for a minute. Add coconut milk. Allow it to boil on medium-high flame. Keep stirring it occasionally.
Once it starts boiling, turn the flame to low. Put a lid and stir it occasionally.
Cook it for 10-15 minutes.
Once the rice is cooked well, Add jaggery and mix it well.
Add crushed cardamom, overnight soaked almonds, raisins, and more coconut milk to adjust the consistency according to your preference. Cook for 2-3 minutes.
Add saffron strands.
Add rose water. Turn off the heat.
Garnish it with saffron and chopped pistachios, and serve!

– Recipe by Sana Shaikh (Instagram: The Rainbow Bite)

Ingredients

• 50 g boiled moong dal
• 150 mL coconut milk
• 3 tbsp jaggery
• 3 g salt
• 1.5 tsp cardamom powder
• 2 tbsp sago pearls
• 1 tbsp roasted cashews
• Optional: 1 tbsp raisins

Instructions

1. Boil the moong dal in 100 mL of water, then add coconut milk.
2. Mix in jaggery and salt.
3. Add the pre-soaked sago pearls.
4. Cook the mixture well, and add in the cashews and raisins.
5. Bring to boil once and turn off the heat.

Enjoy hot or cold!

– Recipe by Jayalakshmi Rai

Preparation time:

The actual time is 30 mins for preparation and 30 mins to get ready after dipping the Gulab Jamuns in the syrup.

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 1 cup mashed sweet potato (2 medium-sized)
• 2 tbsp maida
• Few chopped pistachios
• Oil for deep frying
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 1/2 cup water
• 1/4 tsp cardamom powder
• Optional: 5 strands saffron

Instructions

1. Heat water, add sugar, and stir until dissolved. Add sagfron (optional), cardamom powder, and chopped pistachios.
2. In another bowl, mix mashed sweet potatoes and maida and make a dough out of it. Add more maida if it doesn’t have a dough-like consistency.
3. Make balls out of the dough and deep fry them in the oil till they turn brown.
4. Dip the fried Gulab Jamuns in the syrup and let them soak for 30 minutes before serving.

Taaadaaaa! Super easy and economical vegan Gulab Jamuns are ready! My mom and I used to make it for family get-togethers and everyone used to love it. Try replacing the dairy-based Gulab Jamun recipe with the vegan one and make everyone try it. Stay tuned for more Indian vegan dessert recipes!