Augusta Vegan Bakery, Mm Mm Good

Today's Vegan Cupcake Thursday feature is Veronica from Augusta Vegan Bakery. She says on her website, "I specialize in delicious homemade baked goods, just like grandma would have made if she'd been a vegan." Wouldn't that have been cool if our Grandmas were vegan!? I do get that old time feel when I see Veronica's website. It brings back memories when the Cupcake Whisperer was merely a mutter (I don't know what is smaller than a whisper?) and fresh out of cupcake stained diapers. My Grandma, Babcia being of Polish descent would bake with no measuring cups or teaspoons and no mixers. It was all done by her hands (please Babcia tell me you washed your hands before starting) and her joy would just come from watching me stuff cupcake after cupcake into my wittle mouth.

One thing I find intriguing that Veronica bakes is Madame Cohen's Honesty Cookies. It's not a cupcake I know. It took me a very long time to understand that there are other things not called a cupcake in this world. It's the same equivalence as when we all found out the earth was not flat, when Milli Vanilli didn't really sing on their album, when Joaquin Phoenix wasn't really a rapper, when Jim Morrison really wasn't dead, er well.. maybe that is true and not a surprise.  A cookie, What the..? Where the..? Who the...? This is an outrage! RAWR@! grumble grumble grumble. Anywho, these were inspired by Madame Cohen's Honesty Cake in Alice Hoffman's recent novel, The Story Sisters. Madame Cohen believed that a cake made of these ingredients (lemon zest, anise seed, and dried cherries) can bring out the truth in someone.  And when I read this two visions come to mind. My Grandma, Babcia in a cape flying over Brooklyn sprinkling these cookies in everyone's mouth and those crazy kids on Vampire Diaries when Damon just needs to stare at you and make you believe anything he wants you to and get information out of you, but Stephen is not good at compelling because he drinks animal blood and not human blood. Oh no what if Vervain gets mixed in with the Madame Cohen's Honesty Cookies? Would the male vampires finally realize how boring and plain and ugly Elena really is and wonder why everyone has to make a big deal about her? Could vampires step inside a home without having to be invited first? Ah yeah, way off subject here, I think I can have a lot of fun creating a story about Honesty Cookies, another blog though. These cookies sound so good and perfect for the Holiday season! While Uncle Cletus is passing gas and the freckled twins are bickering over the new Iron Man 2 toy while watching boring old football or Tim Allen's The Santa Clause movie, you could have some fun on your family with these truth serums. Muwhahahahaha! \m/



Madame Cohen's Honesty Cookies


So without further capes and compelling here is the lovely and talented Veronica from Augusta Vegan Bakery!


When did you start your business and why did you decide to go into baking?

I started my business in the summer of 2009. I had been thinking about it for a long time, and Etsy provided the perfect opportunity for me to start on a smaller, more manageable level. So, I started doing a lot of baking from the little kitchen in my studio apartment. Within a few weeks, I had a solid base of very tasty recipes that I could call my own. I set up shop, and the rest is history!

Baking is a hobby that has always given me joy. I can’t say I learned from my mother or my grandmother; while both were good cooks, neither spent too much time baking. My passion for baking really took off in college, when I started to teach myself the basics. Later, when I went vegan, my interest grew exponentially for both cooking and baking. For some reason, having restrictions on what ingredients I could use helped unleash my creativity, and I started tackling recipes I never thought I could. I love having that creative outlet waiting for me at home at the end of a long day at work. I look forward to the day when I can bake full time!



Pumpkin Spice with Cinnamon Cream Cheese Frosting


Why are you vegan?
I went vegan almost three years ago and never looked back. It all started with a dairy allergy. I started researching why dairy isn’t a healthful choice for most people, and began to discover the awful truth about the dairy and meat industries. I read as many books and online articles as I could, and eventually discovered the shocking videos available on the PETA website. I couldn’t believe that I’d kept a blind eye to all the cruelty that is involved in producing the hamburgers I once enjoyed for so long, and was ready to change my life. I couldn’t believe how much better I felt without all that heavy dairy and meat. My body works like a well-oiled machine these days, and I know that this is the diet I was meant to eat!

What is your personal favorite cupcake to make?
I just adore the Double-Chocolate Cupcake with Buttercream frosting. I think the batter is just so pretty, and the frosting is the best! It’s a simple recipe, but it is so much fun to make. Plus, I get to snack on the chocolate chips that run astray!

What do cupcakes mean to you?
I think cupcakes convey a sense of fun, whimsy, and charm. People love them because they’re not just adorable; they’re delicious. They’re perfect for elegant parties, afternoon snacks, or casual get-togethers. Can you think of an occasion where a cupcake wouldn’t be welcome? There are very few, if any. How can you argue with a dessert like that?

What is your happiest memory while eating cupcakes?
While there are so many, one particular moment stands out. I brought a few cupcakes to my fiancé’s and my engagement shoot last month, and we nibbled on them together for the camera. The location was so beautiful, and despite being in front of the camera, we were able to relax and have fun together. Now, we have photo memories of all the laughing and goofy moments we had, and they’re so much fun to look at!

What do you like to do when you are not baking?
I work during the day, and I love to keep my free time packed with projects! I’m currently producing an animated film called Burp’s Christmas (http://www.burpschristmas.com), working with some friends from college. We’re doing the film independently, and are currently getting ready to start fundraising. It’s a wonderful tale about a struggling family during the holiday season. I’m very excited about it!

I also like to stay as creative as possible, so I spend time doing art projects and photography when I can. Lately I’ve been busy with craft projects, and I’m gearing up to make tons of DIY projects for our wedding next year. And obviously, I’m passionate about food, so my fiancé and I love exploring Los Angeles and trying all the vegan food we can find!



Double-Chocolate Cupcake with Buttercream Frosting



Do you take special requests, do you ship out of state, and do you do large orders like for weddings?
Absolutely! Yes to all of these. Special requests are the spice of life; they keep things interesting. I ship out of state, but not out of the country, unfortunately. I’ve never done a wedding-sized order, but I’m up for anything and am willing to discuss.

Team Edward or Team Jacob?
Team Peeta! If you haven’t read the Hunger Games, get on it. It’s addictive, in wonderful ways. And if we must talk Twilight, then I guess I’m Team Edward.

What else do you sell in your shop?
I sell cookies, breads, and scones. Whole-Wheat Banana Bread is a top-seller, and a personal favorite.

Whole Wheat Banana Bread

Anything special you want to promote?
The holidays are coming! In the next few weeks, I’ll be updating the site with all kinds of yummy seasonal treats. Keep your eyes open for that!
Thanks so much! 

Here is where you can find Augusta Vegan Bakery
I do almost all my business through my Etsy shop:
http://www.etsy.com/shop/augustavegan
I’m also available for custom and local orders, so feel free to contact me through the Etsy site or via Facebook or Twitter.
Facebook: http://www.lisp4.facebook.com/pages/Los-Angeles/Augusta-Vegan-Bakery/249968085017

Twitter: http://twitter.com/AugustaVegan

I also keep a blog, which you can check out here: http://augustavegan.blogspot.com/

Vanilla Agave Cupcake