31 Days of Halloween: Vegan Gelatin Recipe for Zombie Brains

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I've always coveted this zombie brain gelatin mold but figured that since traditional gelatin isn't vegan (it is made from the skin, tendons, ligament and bones of animals...sick!!), I had no reason to purchase one. However, with our upcoming Zombie Prom Halloween party preparations, I changed my mind, determined to find a veganized version of gelatin. So, I went ahead and purchased a mold and lo and behold, actually found a recipe for vegan gelatin!

Here is the vegan gelatin recipe I found online that is super-easy, requires little ingredients and is cruelty-free:

Ingredients:

1/2 teaspoon cornstarch
1 teaspoon water
2 cups cherry juice (cherry juice works best for taste/color, but you could also use other flavors of juice for different tastes/colors)
1 teaspoon agar-agar powder* (please see note below)

Directions:

1. Dissolve the cornstarch in the water in a small cup or bowl and set aside. 
2. In a saucepan, combine 1 1/2 cups of cherry juice and agar-agar powder. Let stand for 5 minutes to soften. Set heat to medium-high and bring to a simmer. Simmer for 1 minute.
3. Remove from the heat and stir in the remaining juice along with the cornstarch mixture until no longer cloudy. Pour into small serving cups and/or molds and refrigerate at least 4 hours before serving (overnight works best).
4. You can use food coloring to make the brain look bloody or to define the brain folds.

*If you are using agar agar flakes, you need to use tablespoons instead of teaspoons. If you are using powder, then you use teaspoons. This is VERY important if done wrong will you will just end up with soup!

If you want, you can modify this recipe (just use the vegan gelatin above and use a non-dairy substitute) for coloring of your braiiiiiins!

Big thanks to Seeing Things for giving me a heads up about these recipes!