VEGAN BROWNIES

The vegan brownie is a modern adaptation of a very old snack whose origin is clouded in mystery. But with a treat as widely beloved as the brownie, it's no wonder crowds line up to take credit for its discovery! Popular American folklore claims the brownie was came to be when a careless cook forgot to add baking powder into his chocolate cake recipe. Who exactly this legendary cook was, though, is anyone's guess. More recently, the Palmer House Hilton in downtown Chicago has claimed ownership of the brownie's inception during the 1892 Columbian Exposition, when Bertha Palmer wanted a dessert to add to lunch boxes that wouldn't get ladies' hands dirty.

Today, brownie mix is readily available from every supermarket to the corner bodegas of cities across the country. But these mixes are restrictive in their preparations and either require or already include pre-mixed dairy and animal products. So, those in search of a vegan brownie have to search a little harder for their treat.

By substituting water or rice milk (or even soy?) in the traditional place for milk, conscious vegans and those with milk allergies can whip together a snack that's every bit as scrumptious as its non-vegan counterpart. Other vegan-friendly additions include a few teaspoons of coffee for mocha brownies, or pecans, almonds, or other nuts to enrich the snack's texture. Or why not add a few vegan chocolate chips for increased gooeyness? And while a vegan brownie might be a tad more crumbly than a traditional brownie due to the lack of eggs, surely this is a small cost for peace of mind and soul.