3 Mushroom Desserts: Try These Decadent and Earthy Treats

Have you ever heard of mushroom desserts? Though known for their savory uses, mushrooms can easily be used for sweet dishes. Don't believe us? Keep reading for recipes.

Using fungi in cooking is very common, but have you ever thought to make mushroom desserts? Although truffles aren’t a mushroom, they are a type of fungi and are used in everything from pasta dishes to mashed potatoes and french fries and are often thought to give a hint of fine dining to any food they touch. 

Truffles have been used in desserts as well, such as crème brûlée, infused honey and jams, panna cotta, and even ice cream. Many of these desserts can also be made using other types of mushrooms, you just have to be willing to experiment in the kitchen. We’ve gathered three mushroom dessert recipes to get you started. 

Mushroom Brownies

Use any edible mushroom that you like the taste of for this dessert recipe. Some of the common varieties that you can quite easily find while foraging mushrooms are really versatile and a great option for the mushroom brownies.

Ingredients:

• ½ cup mushrooms, sliced
• ¼ cup honey or vegan honey alternative 
• 3½ tbsp olive oil 
• ¼ tsp chia seeds, soaked in 1 tsp water 
• 3 oz. vegan chocolate 
• ¼ cup spelt flour 
• ½ tsp baking powder 

Instructions:

1. Add mushrooms and honey to a small saucepan, cover with a lid, and cook for two minutes on medium heat. 
2. Remove from heat and add to a blender, along with the olive oil and chia seed/water mixture, and process until combined. 
3. Melt ½ cup of chocolate using a water bath, and then fold in the buckwheat flour, baking powder, mushroom mixture, and remaining chocolate chips. 
4. Pour into a greased 8×8″ baking dish and bake in the oven at 325F for 15 minutes, or until a nice crust has formed. 
5. Allow your mushroom brownies to cool before serving. 

Candied Mushrooms

If you’re looking for a mushroom dessert that is easy and straightforward, look no further than this candied mushroom recipe. You can eat them as is, or learn to incorporate them into other baked goods like cinnamon rolls. 

Ingredients:

• 1½ cups water
• 1½ cups maple syrup 
• ½ tbsp salt 
• 1 tbsp vanilla extract 
• 1 cup beech mushrooms 

Instructions:

1. Add water, maple syrup, salt, and vanilla extract to a saucepan, and stir to combine. 
2. Mix in the mushrooms and bring the mixture to a boil. 
3. Cook for approximately 1 hour, or until the mushrooms have a gummy texture. 
4. Strain the mushrooms and spread them out on a greased baking tray and allow them to cool before eating. 

Tip: for a crunchier texture, you can put the mushrooms in the oven and heat them at a low temperature (135 °F) for up to 1 hour. 

Vegan Candy Cap Cardamom Caramels

Candy cap mushrooms are nature’s candy — they naturally taste like maple, making them an ideal addition to caramel candy. For this mushroom dessert recipe, you’ll want to use dried candy cap mushrooms and grind them into a fine powder. 

Ingredients: 

• 1 cup sugar
• 1 cup coconut cream 
• ½ cup light corn syrup 
• ¼ cup vegan margarine 
• 1 tbsp vanilla extract 
• ½ tsp ground cardamom 
• 1 tbsp ground dried candy cap mushrooms 
• sea salt, as garnish 

Instructions:

1. In a medium saucepan, combine the sugar, coconut cream, and corn syrup. Bring to a simmer over medium heat, stirring constantly with a wooden spoon until the sugar has dissolved (approximately 5 minutes). 
2. Add the margarine and continue stirring until the mixture reaches a boil — approximately 5 minutes. 
3. Once the caramel is boiling, stop stirring and keep an eye on it so it doesn’t boil over. 
4. Use a candy thermometer to keep an eye on the temperature. Once it reaches 250 °F, stir in the vanilla, cardamom, and ground candy cap mushroom, and immediately pour into a greased pan. 
5. Allow the caramel to cool at room temperature for 10 minutes, sprinkle it with sea salt, then move it to the fridge to cool for an additional hour. 
6. Before cutting into individual caramel candies, place the pan in the freezer for 5 minutes. This will make them easier and less messy to cut. 
7. Wrap these little mushroom desserts in wax paper and store them in a cool, dry place for up to 1 month. 

Read more: 

• How to Make Candied Walnuts: Quick and Easy Recipe
• 15 Sweet and Savory Vegan Brunch Ideas
• Can You Eat Mushrooms Raw? Here’s What You Should Know

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