The Best Non-Dairy Milk Substitute
Plant-based ingredients are more accessible than ever.
How can cake be vegan?
When non-vegans learn that I specialize in vegan baked goods, the first question that I’m often asked is, “But what ingredients do you use?”
Good question. Milk, butter, and eggs are often considered baking essentials. Can you really make a good cake or cookie without any of these ingredients? Yes. Yes, you can.
I myself am not vegan, so everything I make must meet the criteria that it isn’t just good for a vegan item. I only sell products that meet my standards of just plain good food, no qualifiers required.
In reality, vegan baking is not as difficult as you might think. Plant-based foods are more popular than ever. A few years ago, being vegan might have required shopping at a specialty health foods store. Now, you can walk into any grocery store and find yourself faced with a wall of options. When it comes to replacing milk, there are a wide array of dairy-free “beverages” to choose from now: soy, rice, cashew, almond, oat, hemp, pea… The possibilities are endless.
So, which one is the best choice for vegan baking?
The truth is, it depends. I know that isn’t the most satisfying answer. However, unlike dairy milk, plant-based alternatives can have drastically different nutrient profiles. These differences make some alternatives better for some uses and others better for other recipes. For example, some options like soy have more protein, while grain-based options contain more natural sugars that promote caramelization.
In addition to the plant base, the brand can also play a role in the nutritional profile and how an ingredient works in a recipe. Some brands include added ingredients like sugars, fats, or emulsifiers which contribute to the product’s flavor and texture, and can also change how it reacts in a recipe.
When it comes to finding the best alternative for vegan baking, the best method is often testing and seeing what works best. At Kitchen Indulgences, we use a variety of plant-based vegan alternatives in our recipes. Some of our recipes might use almond or cashew-based alternatives while others use oat.
What about allergies?
Of course, dietary restrictions and allergies play a role in choosing the ideal ingredients. Please don’t hesitate to contact me if you have any questions. I am always willing to work with you to ensure that your order meets your dietary requirements.