You’d think that someone so immersed in baking as myself, whipping up various sugared confections nearly everyday, could care less about similar sweet gifts. Well allow me put that misconception to rest; You’d think wrong. Though there’s no shortage of sweetness in this particular kitchen, that doesn’t mean I can’t appreciate the craftsmanship and careful pastry art of other bakers. Enjoying a dessert that wasn’t created by me is truly a rare treat now. As the resident baker of the family, it’s up to me to “surprise” myself with my own birthday cake, or plan to go without.
That’s why, so many years ago, when an unassuming but delicately wrapped purple box by Allison’s Gourmet landed on my doorstep, I could barely contain my joy. An unexpected gift, which is always a delight by itself, little did I know that the contents of that package would open my eyes to a whole new option for handmade vegan sweets. Not made by my own hands, but assembled and baked with as much attention to detail as I could muster myself.
Butterscotch Pecan Fudge. More beautiful words were never strung together and attached to something edible. Finding something delicious in the mail was still such a novel concept, and to get something that seemed impossible to make without dairy, it was easily one of my favorite holiday presents that year. Though the packages are all very well wrapped and provide explicit instructions on freezing to make your treasures last, I’m afraid that whole pan of fudge disappeared at warp speed, without any help from hungry gawkers.
Another year, one of my favorite indulgences to date showed up at the party unannounced; Those Peppermint Brownies were legendary. One of my top 5 favorite combinations, chocolate and mint, I already knew it was love at first sight. Taking that initial bite merely sealed the deal. Deeply chocolate-flavored and fudgy to a fault, the sprinkling of crunchy candy cane pieces on top created the most irresistible textural contrast. It’s a shame this offering isn’t for sale this year, because I would recommend it to anyone who likes dessert, period.
My most recent opportunity to sample Allison’s incredible creations was a crazy stroke of luck. Another serendipitous gift, out of the blue, that coincided with the talented baker’s need for a promotional photo. Truly, it just happened that way! A good business deal is one that ends with a rich brownie sundae, peppered with chopped chocolate-covered toffee, a mouth-watering photo, and a new friendship. I can tell you with absolute certainty now that Allison is every bit as thoughtful and kind as her baked goods are irresistible.
My brief sampling doesn’t even begin to scratch the surface of all the goodies on offer at Allison’s Gourmet. There are chocolates, cookies, and candies beyond any vegan’s wildest dreams, and I trust that they’re every bit as delicious. Now, lucky for you, Allison has generously offered a very sweet holiday gift indeed- The opportunity to win a $25 gift certificate for anything in her online bakery! Just imagine the possibilities!
To enter, leave me a comment before Midnight EST on Friday, December 9th, telling me what you would buy with your winnings. For extra entries, follow Allison’s Gourmet on Facebook and/or Twitter, and leave separate comments saying as much for each.
Mmm… the Baker’s Choice Ultimate Sampler, me thinks. This would be sooo nice!
I “like” Allison’s Gourmet on FB.
That’s a difficult question to answer… so many tempting things! I’d probably get a sampler of sorts… or the salty peanut brittle. Or the peppermint brownies…. I can’t quite decided yet…
Oooo, maybe the cookie sampler
I would also have to choose the sampler pack. I am definitely a person who wants one bite of everything at the bakery.
I also liked her page on facebook!
I’d be all about that butter pecan fudge! Wow!!
any type of fudge. they all sound delicious!
Brownie brownie brownies!
I’d love some of that fudge or toffee but as I didn’t see that on the site I’d choose the assortment of truffles and caramels.
We rotate our flavors of Fudge, Cookies, and Brownies since we have monthly clubs, so while it’s true that our Butterscotch Pecan Fudge is unavailable, we do here’s our Chocolate Almond Toffee: http://bit.ly/vtLP9M. =)
I still haven’t tried Allison’s yet. I know crazy right? I’m sure her sweets would make a great gift to send to someone.
You had me at toffee…. Yummmm…… :-D
Peanut Brittle for sure!
oh wow, vegan caramels for sure!
This would totally solve my what-the-hell-should-I-get-Matt-for-Xmas dilemma! He’d love any of the chocolate stuff – brownies in particular – but I’d have to also throw in some of that Butterscotch Pecan Fudge for myself ;)
Holy goodness, how have I never heard of Allison’s Gourmet? Everything looks stellar, so I think I’d need to get one of the samplers and get a little bit of everything. Man oh man does all that fudge look great though, especially the pumpkin pie one.
I follow Allison’s on Facebook…
…and Twitter!
I would get the Artisan Chocolate Assortments.
I follow AG on Twitter.
Double chocolate brownies, pecan brownies, cookies…do I have to pick?
Vegan fudge & toffee & caramels…. oh my, yes please. Anything that combines salt and sweet for me!
I was just drooling over the caramels, I’d get those!
I follow Allison’s Gourmet on Facebook.
I really miss chocolate samplers from the old days, so the Artisan Chocolates assortment looks mighty good to me!
I would go for the artisan chocolate assortment.
I’ve had my eye on her Spice Lover’s gift set or Salted Lover’s git set – so I’d get one of those!
And on Twitter.
I already follow Allison on FB.
Wow! Everything looks amazing. I would buy the Vegan Double Chocolate Brownies for my brother.
larkspurpurple (at) gmail.com
I follow Allison’s Gourmet on Twitter. I am @purplelarkspur
larkspurpurple (at) gmail.com
Liked Allison’s Gourmet on Facebook.
And on Twitter. :)
And following her on Twitter, too! :)
Fudge! I had it once and it was so awesome.
definitely the peppermint creme patties – i’m not a big fan of mint chocolate, but it’s my vegan husband’s absolute favourite thing of all time, and i can NEVER find vegan chocolates with the creamy mint center for him. it’s his birthday tomorrow, so i’d love to win this for him!
definetly the choc’s and the fudges – they look real nice
Artisan Vegan Truffles look delightful! Thanks for the giveaway!
I think I would have to spring for the caramels! Although those truffles are also mightily tempting.
oh yum, i’d definitely get some toffee or some caramels. i love to make both this time of year, but i’d like to try hers!
Oh my, what a sweet review, Hannah! :) For many years I have respected you and your inspirational creativity. Although I am often baking up a storm, I share your desire to enjoy other people’s sweets and agree that being thrilled by another’s creations truly is a special and rare event! I am honored that I could do that for you. Muah.
I would get some of that fudge. Oh, and caramels!
pumpkin fudge!!!!!!!
It’s been WAY too long since I’ve had a good (or any quality) brownie.
I would get the peanut butter cups and peppermint bark! I can make cookies and brownies, but candy is beyond my current abilities, and holiday candy is something I miss greatly!
I’d go for some pecan brownies! Yum!
Oh my goodness…all of it looks amazing! I’d get a sampler- either cookie or chocolate (maybe cookies AND chocolate), so I could try a bit of everything. Thanks to both of you for the giveaway!
What gorgeous treats — it’s amazing that they’re vegan too!
Oh, I don’t know…truffles, peanut butter cups, peppermint bark… :)
I follow Allison on Facebook :)
I follow Allison on Twitter :D
Oh man, that fudge looks DELICIOUS! If I won, I would my fiancé some stocking stuffers… some chocolate almond toffee or some fudge (although I don’t know specifically which. There are so many that look delicious!).
Also, now you’ve gone and convinced me to follow Allison’s Gourmet on Facebook. I am drooling over these pictures!!
The pumpkin pie fudge looks absolutely amazing!
Your family is lucky to have a resident baker as good as you…but still, I can imagine it feels nice once in a while to eat a sweet treat that you didn’t have to make! :) A huge congrats on your promotional photo — your pictures are stunning, Hannah!
Thanks so much for hosting this giveaway! If I win, I think some of those beautiful chocolates are calling my name. ;)
Can’t get past that peppermint bark.
oh my.. i dint even know about Allison’s bakery!! i’d defintely want some chipotle caramel and all the fudge from the day!!:))
I now follow her on twiiter!
one of everything? too vague? it’s true though! but, in a pinch i’d settle on as many caramels as i could carry.
CHOCOLATE ALMOND TOFFEE and any of the caramels. NOM.
Yum! I would order anything made without rice syrup since I can’t have it. So far I have my eye on their Fudge or Double Chocolate Brownie. =p
I can’t decide but I think the pumpkin fudge would be my top pick!
I’d go for some pumpkin pie fudge- that sounds ridiculously good!
I would definitely get my mom some chocolate fudge :) Added facebook and twitter as well.
Oh I’m a cookie monster so my choice is quite obvious! And I must say “thank you” Allison for making such amazing AND vegan treats. It’s so wonderful when you share them with your non-vegan friends and get that “are you sure this is vegan’ look! :-)
You’re welcome, Molly! I’m so glad that you get to have that experience with sharing our goodies. Good for you in your generosity!
I’d head straight for the cookies and brownies! the pecan chocolate chip cookie definitely has my name on it! :)
and I’m following on Facebook :)
Butterscotch Pecan Cookies for my sweetie and Peanut Butter Cups to share.
Thanks!
The pecan brownies! YUM!
I would have to go for the double chocolate brownies or one of the ultimate samplers!!! To many yummy things to decide!!!!!
I also liked on facebook and am following on twitter!!!
Everything looks so awesome that it’s tough to narrow down what to try first! I think I’d have to go with the Just Cookies Sampler, then go from there. :)
Caramels or fudge! YUM!
i would join the brownie of the month club – brownies every month? yes please!
also just (gladly) added her on twitter
Double chocolate brownies–sadly, I haven’t had a really great brownie since going vegan. The ones I have baked and tried from cafes just haven’t measured up…Anyone have any suggestions?
Oh.Man. I can NOT believe these are vegan.
I am always up for baked goods arriving on my doorstep. Always.
Believe it, Joanne! :)
Oooh! Amazing goodies – clearly so much care goes into them!
I would go with the Spice Lovers Gift Set:
http://www.allisonsgourmet.com/gift-ideas/gifts-by-price/gifts-around-25/spice-lover-s-gift-set.html
or the 8-piece assortment of chocolates. I really want to try the Peppermint Snow Truffle and the Coconut Joy Truffle!
You’re so right, Megan; a lot of care really does go into everything we do! From inception to delivery and beyond. Thanks for noticing!
I’m following Allison’s Gourmet on Facebook now, too!
confection boutique!?! I would have to go for the peppermint patties, caramels, and peanut butter cups! I want them all!!! Artisan chocolate assortment? Um fudge of the month club?
Oh gosh you had me at “toffee.”
I followed her on Facebook.
I followed her on Twitter.
i agree- when you bake a lot, the delight of delightful, delicious and perhaps decadent treats can be enough to make me swoon…
Yum! Those peanut butter cups are at the top of my list!
It’s so hard to choose between the cookies and the chocolates! They all look delicious.
OH…the white devil…that’s what that looks like…YUM. I welcome these to my tummy!!! oxoxoxo
You can’t go wrong with a sampler! I love tossing out the key and having a flavor guessing game with friends
The Salted Confections Gift Set. I haven’t had caramel since I went vegan a year and a half ago. I miss caramel. If I had the money I’d be all over the fudge of the month club too. Everything looks amazing.
The pumpkin pie fudge sounds so unique, pumpkin + anything must be amazing.
These photos are simply fantastic, really. I had no idea that purple would make chocolate look so amazing.
What a fantastic giveaway! I don’t know everything I’d get, but that toffee would definitely be one item!
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Aren’t unexpected gifts the best! I’d probably get the bakers choice sampler for that exact reason! Who knows what you’ll get!
That bakers sampling pack looks AMAZING!!!
You’re making me hungry :) Everything looks so good!! I think I would start with their Original Fudge. The Chocolate Chip Cookies look pretty yummy, too…
oh my gosh I am so drooling!!!! I’ve totally been craving some good vegan chocolate! the chocolate assortment sound delectable and the flavors are so unique! yum!!!!! Of course the baked goods look great too!
I think I’d have to go for the mixed box of chocolates. Or the brittle!
intrigued by the vegan toffee since butter is such an important component of toffee, typically!
even I can’t get anything I still like your FB =)
I would definitely buy some chocolate almond toffee. It looks scrumptious from the photo on the website. But that peppermint bark does look delicious too!
Definitely the sampler so there are a variety of sweets to try and see what I like best so I can order more :)
Following her on twitter
I would choose from the vegan gourmet cookies the ‘just cookies sampler’. This way I could try various flavors. After devouring them I would immediately order the vegan truffels – how delicious they look!
i would definitely get a bunch of toffee. it’s my favorite!
The Butterscotch Fudge looks amazing! I would definitely have to try either some fudge or toffee, I don’t think I’ve every had vegan toffee.
I had no idea this existed :o I would definitely get brownies, cookies, fudge, and some chocolates for my mom, who just went vegan this year. And I absolutely want a sampler for myself, too, with some of those peppermint cremes ;)
…and now following on Twitter, too :)
I would want the Mint Chocolate Chip or the Pumpkin Spice cookies. Everything looks so good.
I would buy an order of the peppermint creme patties and an order of the peanut butter cups- two of the best chocolate combos!
I’ve had Allison’s Gourmet a few times, but there is so much more I want to try! Right now I’d like to try the hot chocolate sampler & maybe some double chocolate cookies, I’ve had those before & they are so good.
I already follow Allison’s Gourmet on Twitter (I’m @AZAnimalConnect).
Just liked them on Facebook, too.
oh so many things looked good but i think i would go w/ some truffles :)
[…] it was made in a fancy Manhattan restaurant, but it wasn’t! The uber-talented and sweet, Hannah Kaminsky, created this mouthwatering dessert with an Allison’s Gourmet brownie, vegan ice cream (see […]