This post includes a recipe for Vegan Choc-Nut Balls
Easter is a special occasion in my family. It is a celebration. This year I will spend Good Friday with my in-laws and Easter Sunday with my sons. Even though I don’t go to church any more, it is hard to break away from family traditions. My children appreciate the effort I make to create a joyous atmosphere.
Easter Traditions – Good Friday
I grew up in a household where Roman Catholic traditions were honoured. Therefore, we fasted during Lent and did not eat meat on Fridays. We went to church nearly every day during Lent. Good Friday was a solemn occasion of prayer and fasting to reflect that Jesus died for our sins on the cross.
Traditionally Good Friday is the one day of the year that all the shops are closed in Australia. Many Australians keep to the tradition of eating fish on Good Friday, even when they are not Catholic. My in-laws have their main Easter celebration on Good Friday. They don’t exactly fast though – there will be prawns and salmon on the menu!
Easter Sunday Celebration
Easter Sunday was the main day for celebration in my family. This was to reflect Jesus rising from the dead. My parents would stop at the corner shop on the way to church and buy us one Easter egg each. These days the shops are full of every kind of chocolate Easter egg and people spend a fortune on them. It has become more commercialised like Christmas.
I have always enjoyed creating a special Easter for my family. I love cooking their favourite food, and hiding mini easter eggs for them to find. My husband and I are empty nesters so these family gatherings are very special to us.
Making Vegan Easter Food
My son’s girlfriend is vegan and one of my sons is vegetarian. I have been searching for vegan recipes so that I can make some easter treats for them. I like to be inclusive and try to make everything vegan so that everyone can eat it. It gets a bit tricky at times.
There are some dishes that can’t be adjusted to make vegan versions, like pavlova. But I have found some chocolate recipes that I can make or adapt, including the recipe below. We will have roast chicken, and I’ll make a roast cauliflower for them. I’ll bake vegan bread and have almond milk, vegan margarine and vegan snacks on hand.


Vegan Choc-Nut Balls
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cup Rolled Oats
- 2 tbsp cocoa powder
- 1/2 cup chocolate protein powder
- 1 cup vegan nut butter
- 1/2 cup maple syrup
- 1/4 teaspoon vanilla essence
- 45 grams vegan chocolate chips Chop up small bar of vegan chocolate
Instructions
- Stir together the oats, cocoa powder and protein powder in a large bowl. Stir in the nut butter, maple syrup, and vanilla. Stir until combined. A food processor may be used. Add the chocolate chips and stir through.
- Line a flat container with kitchen greaseproof papers. Use a small cookie scoop to form balls. Roll in between hands.
- Refrigerate for at least 10 minutes. May be frozen.
Notes
Covid-19 continues to disrupt plans
The one concern this year is that a sudden lockdown could be on the cards which would prevent us from being together. My son lives in Brisbane, where there has been an outbreak of Covid-19 cases. My other son was going to go on a road trip to Sydney and Melbourne but the borders have closed again.
Once again travel arrangements are up in the air and the local tourist industry is suffering. It will be so good to see an end to this pandemic as the continual disruptions to normal life are getting beyond a joke. Meanwhile we wait to see if further restrictions will affect our Easter celebration. I hope not.
How do you celebrate Easter? Do any of your family have dietary needs that affect what you serve at special occasions? If you enjoyed this post, you may like to read:
- A Very Special Birthday Celebration
- Celebrating Australia’s Birthday
- A DIY High Tea for a Special Occasion
You may also enjoy some of my other recipes