Book excerpt: The Vegan Divas Cookbook is a beautiful, elegant, and delicious cookbook full of healthy, cruelty-free fare from Fernanda Capobianco, owner of the Vegan Divas Bakery in New York City. Fernanda began her confectionary career as a manager and owner of the Payard Restaurant and Pastry shops in Rio de Janeiro. In The Vegan Divas Cookbook she makes vegan cooking easy and accessible, with more than 75 recipes for sweet and savory dishes without butter, eggs, or refined sugars and flour, accompanied by dozens of color photographs. Unlike many vegan cookbooks that rely heavily on grains and nuts, her fresh and wholesome recipes offer all the benefits of a plant-based diet, plus a light and healthy dose of flavor. In The Vegan Divas Cookbook, Fernanda guides you step-by-step through the basics of plant-based cooking and baking, offering tips for stocking a healthier pantry and easy swaps to replace animal-based oils and fats for healthier, lighter dishes. Discover the secrets to her coveted low-cal desserts, including remakes of familiar classics like Chocolate Chip Cookies and show-stopping treats like Lime-Raspberry Cheesecake Pie. Go guilt-free with savory lunches like Spiced Red Lentil and Coconut Milk Soup, and stay low-fat and full-fiber with hearty loaf breads (some gluten-free) such as Jalapeno Corn Bread.