Halloween is closing in, and fast. For many people, this would mean a quick run to the store is in order, easily snatching up the last bag of snack pack candies and battening down the hatches in preparation for trick-or-treaters. While there’s a decent selection of vegan handout options, these just won’t cut it for my own personal candy cravings. That’s why I wrote a candy ebook, right? Right! But… When I can’t bear to wait another minute before tearing into something sweet, it takes a sneaky trick to placate my palate. It’s stupidly simple, almost embarrassing to post about, and- Dare I say?- qualifies as “semi-homemade.”
Bleh, that should qualify as a swear word! Okay, forget I said that. But if you’re hankering for something sweet, chocolatey, and a bit crunchy without a moment to spare, don’t run to the candy aisle, but hit up the kosher section of the grocery store instead.
Once you’ve secured a package of kosher wafer cookies (try Gefen brand) that you can confirm are vegan, all you need is a bit of chocolate to seal the deal. Any type you fancy will work, so get yourself enough to dip in, and melt it down until completely smooth. Dress it up with flavored extracts (Mint-chocolate, anyone? Almond? Lemon?) or stick with the basics; with those classic flavors and a satisfyingly crisp bite, you simply can’t go wrong. Shake off excess crumbs, and completely submerge each wafer cookie in the melted chocolate, tapping off the extra when you bring it up for air. Place dipped cookies on a silpat or piece of parchment paper, and wait for the coating to set. To expedite the process, go ahead and stash them in the fridge or freezer for just 15 – 20 minutes; Although I typically refrain from this practice, since it’s more likely to leave you with bloomed or streaky shells, these treats are more about quick and easy than fussy perfection.
Quick and easy enough to whip up on a whim, you could effortlessly make masses of these make-shift candy bars as Halloween party favors… If you can bring yourself to share, that is.