Photography Courtesy Cara Moon Schloss
The holidays are around the corner, meaning the next few weeks will be filled with indulgent desserts. But it can be challenging to find the right sweet treats if you or one of your guests has a dietary restriction or intolerance. The good news is that there are a number of restaurants and bake shops across the region that serve diners with vegan, gluten-free, and other special diets. And even better news: their locally-made desserts would please anyone’s palate, no matter what you can or can't eat.
Cheezcake slice
Where: Seedz Cafe (6344 S. Rosebury)
Snack on this: There are a handful of desserts on the menu at this vegan restaurant in Clayton, but the Cheezcake is Seedz’s most popular goody. The kitchen makes these cakes with cashews, while building the crust from dates and walnuts. “We only use natural fruits for color and flavor, and always add a little dash of some sort of superfood, like hemp seeds, chia, cacao nibs, or chaga, just to kick it up a notch,” says owner Cara Moon Schloss. Seedz’s Cheezcake is gluten-free, and almost all of the flavors are raw. Naturally, the pumpkin flavor is this season’s headliner.
The Duchess chocolate chip cookies
Where: Royally Baked (1211 Jungermann, St. Peters)
Snack on this: These indulgent, bite-sized bits come with a warning: you better like chocolate, because there’s plenty of it packed into these vegan cookies. Made with coconut oil and unsweetened applesauce, The Duchess cookies are one of the most popular items on Royally Baked’s sizable dessert menu.
Photography courtesy Sweetart
Fauxstess Cupcake
Where: SweetArt (2203 S. 39th)
Snack on this: SweetArt’s spin on the classic Hostess snacking cake is a true crowd-pleaser. But good luck settling on just one of SweetArt’s baked treats, all of which are soy free. The Maine Event cookies and Sweet Potato Pie are also among the shop’s most popular items. “Most people don’t believe vegan baked goods can taste amazing,” says owner Reine Keis. “Vegan is known to be heavy, dry, and off-tasting. Not at SweetArt.”
Photography courtesy Puravegan
Black Bean Peanut Butter Brownies
Where: PuraVegan (307 Belt)
Snack on this: Yes, you read that correctly. Black beans are a primary ingredient in this decadent after-dinner dish. “A lot of people are surprised to see black beans in a brownie,” says chef-owner Monica Stoutenborough, “but little do they know that many Asian cultures have a long history of using pureed beans as a staple ingredient for desserts, which was my inspiration.” The Brownies are gluten-free and sweetened with organic maple syrup. A swirl of organic peanut butter accents the top of the serving. Now that PuraVegan has transitioned to becoming a meal prep provider and closed its cafe, the kitchen makes full pans of brownies that are available for pickup every Tuesday. Pro tip: buy the brownies and chill them for later consumption. “Many of our clients order a pan of brownies every couple of weeks and just freeze half to enjoy when they are ready to,” Stoutenborough says. “For holiday ordering, we make them available individually as well, for folks that don’t want a whole pan.” Take note of another seasonal option on the dessert menu: Black Bean Pumpkin Peanut Butter Brownies.
Bar Treats
Where: Whisk: A Sustainable Bakeshop (2201 Cherokee)
Snack on this: The menu at this Cherokee Street bakery changes regularly, but you can count on satisfying your sweet tooth with one of the snacking bars. Recent examples include gluten-free peanut butter bars, and vegan and gluten-free flapjacks, among other offerings.
Chocolate Chip Cookie Cake
Where: Britt’s Bakeshop (137 W. Jefferson)
Snack on this: The gluten-free cookie cakes at Britt’s are highly customizable, starting with the base flavor. Choose from chocolate chip, dairy-free chocolate chunk, and sugar cookie. You can also choose between vanilla and chocolate buttercream, or even get it dyed fun colors, such as hot pink or teal. And don’t forget the sprinkles.
Photography courtesy Alex McDonnell
Maple Pecan Pie and Pumpkin Pie
Where: Prioritized Pastries (by order, or at the Tower Grove Farmers Market)
Snack on this: It’s hard to pick between these pies, both of which are vegan, gluten-free, and sugar-free. They’re also paleo-friendly, making them especially good for even the most specialized diets. Made with gluten-free almond flour blend, the outer layer on both pies mimics a graham cracker crust. Prioritized Pies can also accommodate nut allergies, if needed. “I believe our holiday pies, in particular, are so popular because they’re holiday dessert staples that most of us grew up with, but are restricted for many during the holiday season due to lifestyle and dietary restrictions,” says owner Alex McDonnell. “Our motto here is ‘Pastries for All’ for this reason. We want to make sure everyone is able to enjoy desserts for special occasions, whether it be cupcakes for a birthday celebration, or pie at the holidays.”
