Baking a vegan cake doesn’t have to be complicated. You don’t even need to make it from scratch. Many boxed cake mixes are already plant-based so all you have to do is swap out the eggs and dairy for a few vegan substitutes. So, you've already got your vegan cake mix! What's next? There are a number of ways to sub out eggs in a recipe including tofu, applesauce or bananas. Not to mention, plant-based milks are readily available.
The first thing you need to do is remove the dairy.
When you’re baking a cake there are two dairy products you need to look out for: milk and butter. Luckily, there are a number of milk substitutes including coconut, almond and oat.
If you’re worried about the added flavour that almond or coconut milks brings to baking, you should try soy or oat-based milks. Their flavour is more subtle and they mimic the creaminess you get with cow’s milk. Meanwhile, if you want to add a bit of flavour or sweetness to your cake, you should try coconut.
Not all boxed cakes call for butter. When you’re picking up a box of vanilla cake mix from the supermarket you can search for ones that don’t call for butter. On the other hand, if you just have to have a certain brand of devils food cake, you can swap out the butter for oil or shortening.
Next you need to replace the eggs.
Eggs are a bit trickier to replace as commercial vegan eggs are less popular in grocery stores and you have to consider what the egg is doing for the recipe. However, that doesn't mean there aren't a number of ways you can replace eggs in a recipe.
For example, if you want to replace one egg, you can try:
1/4 cup of applesauce
1 teaspoon baking soda and 1 tablespoon white vinegar (or apple cider vinegar)
Half a banana
1/4 Cup of silken tofu
1/4 Cup of soy (or other vegan) yogurt
A Short List of Vegan Cake Mix Options
Since most boxed cakes require that you add eggs, milk and butter after, most major brands such as Duncan Hines or Betty Crocker are already vegan!
- Duncan Hines Decadent Carrot
- Duncan Hines Red Velvet
- Betty Crocker Super Moist French Vanilla
- Betty Crocker German Chocolate
Many Frostings are also accidentally vegan!
- Betty Crocker Dark Chocolate
- Betty Crocker Whipped Fluffy White
- Duncan Hines Whipped Frosting
- Betty Crocker Whipped Whipped Cream
Visit Leaves in store or online to and pick up a carton plant-based milk (including coconut, macadamia, almond and oat!) Leaves also carries matcha or maca powder!
FAQs
Substitutes like vinegar and baking soda, plain yogurt or buttermilk can help keep cake light, airy and structurally sound. Replace each egg with 1 teaspoon of baking soda combined with 1 tablespoon of vinegar, ¼ cup of plain yogurt or ¼ cup of buttermilk.
Can I leave eggs out of box cake mix? ›
Whisk together water, oil, and baking powder.
This is a great substitute if you need to replace multiple eggs in a recipe, as it won't make the baked good too greasy or change its flavor profile (like some other substitutes).
Can Betty Crocker be made vegan? ›
Are Betty Crocker Baking Mixes Vegan? The great news is, most Betty Crocker baking mixes are vegan. All you need to do is replace eggs and milk with vegan options. The majority of the frostings are also vegan, making it easy to whip up a last-minute cake.
Can I use mayo instead of eggs in cake mix? ›
Mayonnaise. Eggs are a key ingredient in mayonnaise, so it makes sense that it can be a perfect substitute when you're out of eggs. Use 3 tablespoons of mayo as an egg substitute.
Is Duncan Hines cake mix vegan friendly? ›
The dairy-free Duncan Hines Cake Mixes are typically vegan, too (the Angel Food Cake does contain eggs). However, they call for eggs in the instructions. To circumvent this, you can use an egg substitute.
How to make a box cake without eggs and oil? ›
Basically, one cup of applesauce per box of cake mix acts as a fair substitute for the required amount of eggs and oil. In a typical cake (if you were making this without the box), one cup of applesauce replaces the two eggs usually asked for.
Does cake box make vegan cakes? ›
Welcome to Cake Box Veganuary!
Our specially crafted vegan cakes are made with premium ingredients, offering a delightful treat for every occasion.
What happens if I forgot to put eggs in my box cake mix? ›
The resulting cake will still taste great but be slightly dense from the lack of air bubbles.” That may not be a bad thing, though. A denser crumb structure creates a sturdier layer cake — which can be great for stacking and frosting. Eggs are critical to successful cakes.
What is a substitute for eggs in Betty Crocker? ›
Potential substitutes for eggs include: yogurt, applesauce and mashed banana. Always consider the number of eggs you are replacing. A substitute is more likely to work when it's only replacing one egg.
Can I use sour cream instead of eggs in cake mix? ›
Since sour cream has a higher fat content it can actually mimic the fats in an egg and make our recipe extra rich and moist. One egg can be replaced by ¼ cup of sour cream. It acts as just the perfect egg substitute!
Vegan Frostings and Icings
Betty Crocker Rich & Creamy Frosting—Cherry, Chocolate, Creamy White, Dark Chocolate, Lemon, Milk Chocolate, and Vanilla. Betty Crocker Whipped Frosting—Butter Cream, Chocolate, Fluffy White, Milk Chocolate, OREO Creme Flavored, Strawberry Mist, Vanilla, and Whipped Cream.
Are store bought cake mixes vegan? ›
Many regular boxed cake mixes—including some of the varieties from the brand Duncan Hines—are accidentally vegan. Just check the ingredients when you make your selection.
What if I don t have enough eggs for Betty Crocker cake mix? ›
Potential substitutes for eggs include: yogurt, applesauce and mashed banana.
Can I use peanut butter instead of eggs in cake mix? ›
Peanut Butter- 3 tablespoons of peanut butter = 1 large egg.
What does adding an extra egg to a box cake mix do? ›
Add an Extra Egg
Most cake mixes call for two to three eggs. Just one more egg will add extra moisture, fat, and a little protein, which means the cake will be softer and less likely to overbake and dry out in the oven.
