Since Valentines' Day is one of the few days each year when it's totally acceptable to indulge in as many chocolaty treats as you possibly can, PETA has named the top 10 chocolate desserts that everyone can enjoy.
Approximately 90 percent of Filipinos are lactose-intolerant, meaning that their bodies cannot break down the sugar in milk, resulting in acne, cramps, bloating, and diarrhea. The desserts below are not only cruelty-free but also safe for those with lactose intolerance to consume.
PIPINO'S RED VELVET CUPCAKE
Not only is this cupcake one of Cupid's favorites, it's ours, too, closely followed by Pipino's green-tea cupcakes. Pipino also offer a range of dairy-free ice creams.
Pipino Vegetarian Food by Pino, 39 Malingap St., Teachers Village, Quezon City; 441-1773; PipinoVeg.com
GREENS' CHOCOLATE CAKE
Lush and moist, this cake hits the spot. Get it before everyone else does.
Greens Vegetarian Restaurant and Café, 92 Sct. Castor St., Quezon City; 415-4796; Facebook.com/GreensResto
JUICESABEL'S CHOCOLATE FUDGE MINI-CAKE
Juicesabel’s cakes are the perfect size for one, so order more if you plan to share. Stick around to try the salted caramel cake, too. Order in advance to get delivery within Makati and BGC.
Juicesabel, The Collective, 7274 Malugay St., San Antonio Village and
3800 Kalayaan Avenue, Makati; 090646VEGAN (83426); Facebook.com/JUICESABEL
THE VEGETARIAN KITCHEN'S DARK CHOCOLATE CAKE
It's no surprise that the dark chocolate cake is The Vegetarian Kitchen's bestseller. This cake is truly scrumptious.
The Vegetarian Kitchen, No. 62-B Mother Ignacia Ave., Brgy. Paligsahan, Quezon City; 355-5622, 0915-643-4348, and 0906-436-2533; Facebook.com/TheVegetarianKitchen
SUSI'S CACAO THAT CARES
This dark chocolate fudgy dessert is topped with melted homemade peanut butter and a gluten-free pretzel. It's sinfully delightful and also looks great on Instagram.
SUSI, Forbes Town Road, Burgos Circle, Taguig; 833-7874; Facebook.com/susiphilippines
THE SCREAM BY LUCY IN THE SKY CAFE
Don't let the name scare you off: This chocolate cake is a lot nicer than it sounds. It's unlikely that you'll scream when you taste this, but you might shout "Yum!"
Lucy in the Sky Café, 222 Wilson St., Greenhills, San Juan City; 370-4113; Facebook.com/lucyintheskycafe
ADAM'S SERIOUSLY GOOD ICE CREAM'S BLACK AND WHITE ICE CREAM
Adam can make a mean ice-cream, and this one is seriously good. Due to popular demand, the brand has now veganized its Chiqui Monkey ice cream (flavored with chocolate, peanut butter, and bananas—delicious!) as well.
Find Adam's Seriously Good Ice Cream at the Sunday Legaspi market; 890-1284 or 0917-898-2826; AdamsIceCream.com
GREEN BAR'S CHOCOLATE HILL CUPCAKE
These cute cupcakes are doused with the most delectable sweet and salty peanut-butter icing.
Green Bar, Westgate Center, Alabang, 1780 Muntinlupa City; 831-2211; Facebook.com/GreenBarCafe
KITCHEN REVOLUTION'S CHOCOLATE CAKE
You don't know what love is until you've tried this cake. Kitchen Revolution also sells dairy-free ice creams flavors, such as Peanut Butter Chocolate Chunk and Chocolate Toffee Almond, at the Corner Tree Café.
Find Kitchen Revolution's Chocolate Cake at the Kismet Café at the corner of Burgos and Kalayaan Avenue in Makati; 0917-894-5086; Kitchenrevolution.ph
EARTH DESSERT'S VEGAN FUDGY BROWNIE
AV Gawtee, owner of the business, uses healthy alternatives such as flax seeds and olive oil. Although her gooey, chocolate-rich, heavenly brownies are something you should feel great about eating on any day, they still taste as naughty as ever.
Contact Earth Desserts via mobile or Facebook for orders; 0917-855-2748; Facebook.com/EarthDessertsPH
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Dairy foods are not only bad for us but also cruel to animals. Calves are generally torn away from their mothers within a day of birth, which causes them both extreme distress. Cow's milk is often contaminated with bacteria, blood, pesticides, antibiotics, and pus.
"No dessert says love more than vegan dessert, because nothing goes better with love than compassion," says PETA Asia Vice President Jason Baker. "Our 10 best chocolate desserts in Metro Manila show just how easy it can be to spoil yourself and your loved ones with heavenly treats while sparing animals suffering."
You can also enjoy mouthwatering dairy-free treats without venturing out to a restaurant. At-home vegan dessert options include Oreo cookies (yes, they’re vegan!), Cioccolato Bono Gelato in SM stores, Starbucks Frappuccinos (try the dark mocha—just ask for soy milk and no whipped cream), and Vitamilk's Double Choco Shake, found at 7-Eleven and MINISTOP.
For more information, please visit PETAAsia.com or our Facebook page.
