15 Amazing Products That Will Make Holiday Cooking Easier Than Ever!

While we all know how satisfying it is to make a holiday meal from scratch, there is nothing wrong with getting a little extra help from some ready-made vegan products to make meal preparation easier. No one will judge you for getting a little extra help with your gravy, stuffing, or dessert prep! Read on for 15 products from Amazon that you can include in your holiday meal preparation to save you time and ensure your meal is packed full of flavor. We’ve even included some recipes from the Food Monster App to help you get started.

1. Marigold Vegetarian Organic Gravy Powder

Marigold/Amazon

While there is nothing better than the taste of homemade vegan gravy, sometimes its nice to bypass the boiling, and in those cases, products like Marigold Vegetarian Organic Gravy Powder make it easy to include gravy at your holiday table without all the extra whisking work. You can grab this powder for just $6.90, a bargain if you don’t live near a health food store selling similar products. One amazon reviewer says, “Seriously, why eat meat based gravy when this exists. I’m not even a vegetarian and I prefer this to real gravy.”

Use this gravy to accompany our Unturkey Roast and Potato and Celery Root Mash.

2. Ezekiel 4:9 Sprouted 100% Whole Grain Bread

Food for Life/Amazon

A loaf of Food for Life Ezekiel 4:9 Sprouted 100% Whole Grain Bread takes the stress out of filling the holiday bread basket. Not only is this bread packed with whole grains, it also has protein from lentils and beans included in the dough. Though the online price of this bread at $9.77 is more expensive than the loaves you’ll find in the store, if Ezekiel bread is not available near you, it’s worth the extra expense. An Amazon customer said, “This bread is excellent for the body no preservatives and it really helps my digestion!”

Use Ezekiel bread in our recipes for Chestnut Mushroom Stuffing and Truffled Cream of Broccoli Soup with Croutons to add even more whole grains to your holiday meal.

3. Lenny and Larry’s The Complete Cookie, 7 Flavor Bundle

Lenny And Larry’s/Amazon

If you’re too busy this year to make batches and batches of cookies, order Lenny and Larry’s The Complete Cookie, 7 Flavor Bundle to satisfy your guests’ sweet tooth. These cookies are Soy-Free, Non-GMO, and each one is packed with fiber and protein. The online price of a bundle of fourteen cookies is $25.99, which is less than what you would pay in store for each individual cookie. One Amazon reviewer says, “I love these cookies! They are a treat that is healthier than eating regular cookies but they still taste good”

Try eating these cookies sandwiched with some of our Homemade Marshmallow Fluff, Banoffee “Nice” Cream, or ‘Nutella’ Spread.

4. Vivian’s Live Again Vegan Whipped Cream Replacement Mix

Vivian’s Live Again/Amazon

While we all love a good coconut whipped cream, sometimes it’s nice to shake things up a bit. Vivian’s Live Again Vegan Whipped Cream Replacement Mix makes it easy to make delicious soy-free, gluten-free, nut-free and peanut-free whipped cream to top your desserts. At $8.99 for a pack of 2 mixes that make 2.5 cups of whipped cream, these mixes are inexpensive and worth the buy. Helen Clehr said, “I used it on Thanksgiving, and taste-tested it in comparison to Cool Whip, on pumpkin pie. My whole family preferred Vivian’s. Really, even the ones that get to eat “normal” food did. That is a first for an allergy food.”

Try using this whipped cream on top of Holly Jolly Sangria Pie, Snickers Tart with Salted Caramel,

5. Simply Delish Natural Pudding

Simply Delish/Amazon

Sometimes even the most organized feasts have mishaps, so it’s a good idea to keep some Simply Delish Natural Pudding on hand to ward off any dessert disasters. Simply Delish makes pudding that is lactose-free, gluten-free, sugar-free, cholesterol-free, and kosher. A 6-pack of pudding is $16.99, which, while expensive, is worth the price if you don’t live near a local purveyor of this easy dessert. Pamela McKay used the pudding in her dessert and said, “No one could tell my dessert was gluten free and dairy free. It was enjoyed by even the pickiest eaters.”

Try using Simply Delish Natural Pudding in our recipe for No-Bake Mississippi Mud Pie.

6. Funfresh Foods Organic Caramel Agave Nectar

Funfresh Foods/Amazon

While everyone loves the delicious flavor that caramel gives to food, actually making it can be pretty stressful. Therefore, Funfresh Foods Organic Caramel Agave Nectar is a fast, easy way to sneak that caramel flavor into your foods. While its price of $14.48 is substantial, it’s a good option for those who don’t live close to sellers of the item, as well as those looking to streamline their holiday baking. An Amazon customer said, “This product is ALL I hoped it would be. It has a wonderful taste! It makes great candy and it is a delightful treat over Soy Ice Cream. If you are vegan you won’t be disappointed!”

Add Funfresh Organic Caramel Agave Nectar on top of our Caramel Coffee Ice Cream Float, or try making your own with our recipe for Easy 4-Ingredient Caramel Sauce.

7. Belvas Vegan Chocolate Gourmet Truffles

Belvas/Amazon

If your holiday dessert spread involves truffles, try Belvas Vegan Chocolate Gourmet Truffles. These truffles are organic, gluten-free, fair trade and hand-crafted. A 3.5oz package of the truffles will set you back $26.99, but despite the expense, these truffles make a great addition to your dessert plate and can double as gifts to loved ones and holiday party hosts. Katherine Harper said “WOW! These truffles are so amazing and so good. Its a melt-in- your mouth kind of chocolate. Taste like [I’m] eating heaven! If you are vegan these are for you!”

If you’d like to try your hand at making your own truffles, check out our recipes for 4 Ingredient Chocolate Caramel Truffles, Fig Truffles and Pistachio Coconut Dark Chocolate Truffles.

8. Follow Your Heart Vegan Egg

Follow Your Heart/Amazon

Many families have holiday baking recipes that have been passed down and perfected year after year, but converting these recipes to meet vegan standards can be tricky. Thankfully there’s Follow Your Heart Vegan Egg, which works great in baked goods like the cookies and cakes so popular this time of year. One 4oz. carton equals a dozen “eggs”, so the price of $10.90 is quite reasonable. An Amazon customer says, “Works well in baking and “scrambled eggs!”

To start new holiday baking traditions, try our recipes for Almond Butter Holiday Cookies, Chewy Sugar Cookies, and Vegan Challah.

9. Robertsons Traditional Mincemeat

Roberstons/Amazon

Mincemeat pies are a holiday favorite in both the US and UK, but making mincemeat can an arduous process. That’s why Robertsons Traditional Mincemeat, which is vegan, makes it so much easier to craft those delectable pies. While its price of $10.55 might seem steep, Amazon reviewer Katrina notes that the jar makes 12 pies and “taste just like at home in the UK!”, making it well worth the expense.

Try using this mincemeat in our recipes for Gingerbread Mince Pie and Raw Vegan Mince Pies.

10. Barlean’s Organic Oils Butter Flavored Coconut Oil

Barlean’s/Amazon

There are few things more comforting to eat than a hot buttered roll, and Barlean’s Organic Oils Butter Flavored Coconut Oil is a healthy alternative to traditional vegan buttery spreads. It is gluten-free, non-GMO, and kosher. A 16oz jar of oil costs $15.97, which, while slightly more expensive than the coconut oils you might find in your local health food shop, is worth the heightened price for the great taste and versatility. One Amazon reviewer says “Love it! Replaces butter well in cooking and is especially good for making popcorn, yum!”

Try subbing this oil in our recipe for Rosemary Skillet Rolls or spreading it on top of a piece of Homemade Whole Wheat Maple Oatmeal Bread.

11. Mother Earth Products Textured Vegetable Protein Sausage Bits

Mother Earth Products/Amazon

As much fun as it is to make your own mock meat, when time is of the essence, products like Mother Earth Products Textured Vegetable Protein Sausage Bits can be a life-saver. These TVP bits are kosher and packed full of flavor and protein, and are a relative steal at $12.95 for a 13oz. quart jar. One Amazon reviewer says, “A very good TVP product. I use it in several different ways to add flavor and texture to dishes. I use it in soups, I sprinkle it over certain salad types, I mix it in with omlettes, I use it in steamed veggies – pretty much any time you want a bit of texture in the meal. The pieces are small enough to work dry, but swell up just enough when used in soups and the like that they work there, too. The seasoning goes good with hearty soups and with spicier salads. Excellent product.”

Add rehydrated bits of Mother Earth’s TVP Sausage to our recipes for Sourdough Bread Stuffing and Wild Rice and Bread Stuffing with Roasted Grapes, or substitute it in our recipe for a warming bowl of Zuppa Toscana: Tuscan Sausage Soup.

12. Lorann Oils Bakery Emulsions Natural and Artificial Flavor, Peppermint

Lorann Oils/Amazon

Few things denote the holidays more than the mingled scent of peppermint and chocolate. However, it’s important to use good-quality peppermint oil in baking to ensure the right taste, so stock up on Lorann Oils Bakery Emulsions Natural and Artificial Flavor, Peppermint. At $8.31 for a 4oz bottle, the oil is reasonable, especially if you live in a place where peppermint oil can be hard to find. The oil is definitely worth the price, as one Amazon customer says “I used this to make peppermint patties and it’s fantastic. It mixes well and tastes great!”

Try using this oil in our recipes for Christmas Peppermint Patties and Peppermint Bark.

13. Peanut Butter & Co. Top Sellers Pack

Peanut Butter & Co./Amazon

Vegans understand the importance of including peanut butter as part of a healthy diet, not just for its healthy fat and protein content, but also for its flavor! Peanut butter is also a great way to add extra flavor to both sweet and savory foods, so be sure to stock up on Peanut Butter & Co. Top Sellers Pack to make sure you have a peanut butter for every holiday cooking meal. The entire pack is $17.06 and includes four of the company’s most beloved flavors, making this pack of peanut butter only slightly more expensive than buying the jars individually. If you can’t find this peanut butter near you, it’s worth ordering. One Amazon customer says, “Absolutely delicious! Each flavor is subtly different than the rest (neither chocolate flavor is overpowering), but is a cut above other grocery store brands. They don’t have oil separation, and are pliable as soon as you open the jar. I definitely recommend these.”

Use this peanut butter in our recipes for Peanut Butter Cookies and Sweet Potato Peanut Butter Brownies.

14. Enjoy Life Semi-Sweet Chocolate Mini Chips

Enjoy Life/Amazon

Holiday baking often uses chocolate, but finding vegan baking chocolate can be difficult and often expensive. Thankfully, gluten-free, nut-free, soy-free Enjoy Life Semi Sweet Chocolate Mini Chips are here to serve all your holiday baking needs, and at $9.59 for a pack of two 10oz packages, they’re a steal.

Throw these chocolate chips in our recipes for Perfect Chocolate Chip Cookies and Chocolate Chip Peanut Butter Stuffed Cookies, or use them to make Chocolate-Dipped Almond Shortbread Cookies.

15. ShaSha Organic Spelt Breadcrumbs

ShaSha Co./Amazon

Breadcrumbs are one of those ingredients left off most pantry staple list, but they come in handy for all sorts of dishes. Pick up some wheat-free ShaSha Organic Spelt Bread Crumbs to ensure you have some on hand for your holiday cooking. At $8.32 for a 10.5oz bag, the breadcrumbs are reasonably priced, and Alan Wald calls them “a great alternative to conventional wheat flour bread crumbs.” 

Use ShaSha breadcrumbs in our recipes for Eggplant Fries and Creamy Cauliflower Gratin.

Find even more Recipes for the Ultimate Vegan Christmas Menu by downloading the Food Monster App, which is available for both Android and iPhone, and can also be found on Instagram and Facebook. The app has more than 10,000 plant-based, allergy-friendly recipes, and subscribers gain access to new recipes every day. 

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