The fastest way to make a cake is to use a mix. But what about if you’re vegan? Luckily, several brands sell vegan cake mixes, while several are “accidentally vegan.” That means that these cake mixes don’t contain any dairy or eggs. However, the recipes on the box tell you to use eggs and butter for mixing. Don’t fret. You can still use cake mix to make a vegan cake that’s light and fluffy.
Here are some simple and dairy-free tips on how to make a cake mix vegan.
Vegan Cake Mix: Easy and Delicious!
One of the biggest challenges of “how to make cake mix vegan” is finding the right egg replacement. Eggs are a crucial ingredient because they provide moisture, and in some cakes that have no leavening agent, it also helps the mix to rise.
Luckily, several ingredients make excellent egg substitutes. Some popular egg substitutes include mashed banana, applesauce, ground flaxseeds with water, and vegan yogurt. Aquafaba, silken tofu, cornstarch, vinegar, and baking soda are popular egg substitutes. Eggs also give the cake a bit of lift, so it will require a bit of acid.
However, a threshold exists for how many eggs you can substitute in a cake recipe because eggs add fat. Therefore, you must increase the fat more if a cake mix recipe calls for more than three.
Here’s an easy and delicious recipe from Big Box Vegan for Better Boxed Vegan Cake to help you navigate the intricacies. It is perfect for anyone wondering how to make cake mix vegan since vegan yogurt, buttermilk, and milk give it more fat. Adding acids like lemon, vinegar, and flaxseed gives it lifting power—easy and delicious!
Plant-based Cake Mix: Your New Go-To Recipe
Making cake mixes is effortless and more economical than buying those in stores. It’s also a great idea for giving as gifts. You can purchase several vegan cake mixes, and some are accidentally vegan, but here’s how to make cake mix vegan at home:
Vegan Chocolate Cake Mix
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 cups sugar
- ½ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 2 t. baking soda
- 2 t. salt
Sift all the ingredients together and mix well. Use a large jar to store the mix in a sealed jar. Use within six months.
To mix it into a cake, you need:
- 2 cups cold water
- ¾ cup oil
- 2 t. vanilla
- 2 t. apple cider vinegar
Pour the mix into the prepared pans and bake at 350°. Bake accordingly. Here are the approximate times required:
- 2 x 8-inch cakes between 33-36 mins
- 2 x 9-inch cakes between 28-31 mins
- In a 13 x 9-inch pan between 32-35 mins
- To make a bundt cake between 38-43 mins
- For 24 cupcakes between 18-21 mins
Simple Recipe: Veganizing Cake Mixes
There are some simple hacks for making cake mixes dairy-free. Many people believe that substituting dairy with a plant-based substitute will work, but according to Marly from Namely Marly, it’s trickier than that.
Here’s how to make a cake mix vegan, according to Namely Marly, so that it works every time and you don’t end up with a cake that crumbles as you try to cut it.
The recipe uses an egg replacer, vegetable oil, applesauce, and a dairy- and egg-free cake mix. However, add a cup of all-purpose flour and one teaspoon of baking powder. These extra dry and wet ingredients ensure a cake with the best texture, avoiding a cake that breaks as you cut it.
Dairy-Free Delight: Vegan Cake Mix Creations
Even though there are hundreds of ideas online for making vegan cake, what you can make with boxed cake mix is amazing. You can create vegan delights for any occasion when you learn how to make cake mix vegan.
Making vegan mix creations is effortless when you know what ingredients to substitute for dairy and eggs. Luckily, one professional blogger, Alissa from Connoisseurus Veg, tried the most popular egg substitutes to find the one that gave the best results. Commercial egg replacers had the best overall score, followed by ground flax seed and applesauce.
However, if you don’t have these ingredients at home, you can replace one egg with:
- One teaspoon baking soda mixed into one tablespoon white or apple cider vinegar
- Half a banana
- ¼ cup of silken tofu
- ¼ cup of vegan yogurt
Veganizing Desserts: Cake Mix Hacks
Finding a box of vegan cake mix is not that challenging anymore. But once it’s time to bake, you face the next challenge. How do you substitute the eggs and dairy the box’s recipe calls for? Here’s how to make cake mix vegan with these cake mix hacks:
Replacing Butter
Coconut Oil – Use refined coconut oil for its neutral flavor because, unlike unfiltered virgin coconut oil, it won’t give your baking a strong coconut flavor. Remember that if a recipe calls for a ¼ cup of melted coconut oil, you must first melt it and then measure it. However, if a recipe calls for “¼ cup of coconut oil, melted,” then you melt it after you measure it. The quantities are different, which will make a difference in your result. Additionally, always use a liquid measuring cup to measure liquid fats.
Vegan Butter – It’s become easier to find vegan butter, and you can use it precisely like dairy butter, as per the recipe.
Replacing Eggs
The best replacement ingredients for eggs are flax eggs or a combination of unsweetened applesauce and cornstarch.
Ground Flax Seed – Combine 1 tbsp of ground flax seed and 2 tbsp of water to make the equivalent of one egg.
Unsweetened Applesauce and Cornstarch – Apple pectin is a thickening agent, making applesauce one of the best egg replacers. When used with cornstarch in recipes, it makes a good egg substitute. When a recipe calls for two eggs, use ¼ cup applesauce and dissolve 1 tbsp of cornstarch into the wet ingredients.
DIY Vegan Treats: Transforming Cake Mixes
Luckily, there are several vegan cake mixes to choose from. These include:
- Thrive Market Yellow Cake Mix is a vegan, gluten-free, and naturally sweetened cake mix
- Dunkin Hines Classic Yellow Mix, Devils Food, Decadent Carrot, Red Velvet, or Lemon Supreme
- Pillsbury Moist Supreme Golden Butter Mix or Purely White
- Betty Crocker Super Moist French Vanilla or German Chocolate
Luckily, many frostings are also accidentally vegan, making it even easier to transform cake mixes from plain to DIY vegan delights. Try the following:
- Betty Crocker Dark Chocolate, Whipped Fluffy White, Whipped Whipped Cream
- Duncan Hines Whipped Frosting in Chocolate. Fluffy White or Vanilla
- Pillsbury Creamy Supreme Frosting, except Funfetti.
Now that you know how to make cake mix vegan, use these boxes and let your creativity loose.
From Box to Vegan Bliss: Cake Mix Makeover
It’s easy to take a cake from box to vegan bliss if you follow all the ideas on this page. However, besides knowing how to make cake mix vegan, here are some ideas for giving cake mix a complete makeover.
- Use melted vegan butter instead of oil for better flavor
- Use non-dairy milk instead of water to give the mix a higher fat content and a homemade flavor.
- Vegan buttermilk will give your cake a fluffier texture and delicious tang.
- Use a pure extract to enhance the cake’s flavor since most cake mixes have artificial flavorings. Try vanilla, almond, lemon, or orange.
- Vegan sour cream or vegan mayo provide moisture, so mix 2 tablespoons of either one with the other wet ingredients into the dry ones.
- Even though your favorite carrot cake mix may include nuts, adding a cup of toasted, chopped pecans or walnuts will transform the cake.
- As we saw earlier, there are many ready vegan frostings to choose from, but what about if you create your own to use as fillings and toppings for a complete makeover
Vegan Baking Made Easy: Cake Mix Edition
You suddenly have guests coming and want to make a vegan cake to serve. But all you have in your pantry is a box of cake mix without eggs or dairy. How to make cake mix vegan in a rush? It’s super simple – use a can of soda.
The flavor of the soda will determine the cake flavor. Therefore, depending on the cake mix flavor, you can use a different soda. The recipe for soda cake has done its rounds on social media, but in case you haven’t seen it, here’s how to make a Quick Vegan Lemonade Cake from Tinned Tomatoes.
Other instant cake flavor combinations according to your cake mix include:
- To chocolate cake mix, you can add a 330 ml/10 oz can of cola
- To spiced ginger cake mix, you can add 330 ml/10 oz can of ginger beer
- To a carrot cake mix, you can add 330 ml/10 oz can of sparkling orange juice
- To coffee cake mix, add 330 ml/10 oz bottled sparkling water or soda water
- Make a mocha cake using a coffee cake mix, replacing 3 tbsp of mix with cocoa powder, and adding a 330 ml/10 oz can of cola.
- Make lemon & blueberry cake with a lemon cake mix to which you too 250g/10 oz, blueberries in the mix, and 330 ml/10 oz can of fizzy lemonade.
How to Make Cake Mix Vegan: Easy Vegan Baking Tips
Making a cake mix vegan can seem complex, but with the right substitutes and a bit of creativity, you can enjoy delicious, dairy-free, and egg-free cakes without much hassle. Whether you’re new to vegan baking or looking to refine your skills, here’s a comprehensive guide to help you transform any cake mix into a vegan-friendly delight.
Essential Vegan Substitutes
- Egg Alternatives: Eggs in cake mixes add moisture and act as a binding agent. You can replace eggs with:
- Applesauce: Use 1/4 cup per egg. It adds moisture without altering the flavor too much.
- Banana: Half a mashed banana substitute one egg, adding a slight banana flavor.
- Flaxseed Meal: Mix one tablespoon of flaxseed meal with three tablespoons of water and let it sit for a few minutes until it becomes gelatinous.
- Aquafaba: The liquid from canned chickpeas; three tablespoons can replace one egg.
- Vegan Yogurt: Use 1/4 cup of unsweetened vegan yogurt to replace one egg for added moisture.
- Dairy Substitutes: Replace the milk or butter in cake mixes with vegan options:
- Plant-Based Milks: Almond, soy, oat, or coconut milk can be used in a 1:1 ratio.
- Vegan Butter: Use it as much as dairy butter, or opt for coconut oil for its neutral flavor.
Choosing the Right Vegan Cake Mix
- Check Labels: Not all cake mixes are created equal. Look for mixes that do not contain dairy derivatives like whey or casein. Brands like Duncan Hines and Betty Crocker often have accidentally vegan options.
- Certified Vegan Brands: If you prefer a guarantee, opt for brands that specifically market themselves as vegan.
Making Your Vegan Cake Mix
- Mixing: Combine your dry cake mix with your chosen egg and dairy substitutes. Be mindful not to overmix as this can affect the texture of the cake.
- Baking: Follow the temperature guidelines on the cake mix box. Use a toothpick to check doneness; it should come out clean when the cake is baked through.
- Cooling: Allow the cake to cool completely before frosting. This prevents the frosting from melting and ensures it spreads evenly.
Creative Vegan Cake Ideas
- Add-Ins and Toppings: Enhance your cake by adding vegan chocolate chips, nuts, or fruit into the batter. Top with vegan frosting or a dusting of powdered sugar for extra sweetness.
- Flavor Enhancements: Incorporate a teaspoon of pure vanilla extract or almond extract to add depth to the cake’s flavor.
Vegan Frosting Options
- Store-Bought Vegan Frosting: Many brands offer vegan frosting options that are ready to use. Check labels to ensure they’re free from dairy and eggs.
- Homemade Frosting: Whip up a quick vegan frosting with powdered sugar, vegan butter, and plant-based milk. Add cocoa powder for a chocolate version.
Tips for Success
- Test and Adjust: Vegan ingredients can vary in moisture content, so it’s important to test and adjust as necessary. If the batter seems too thick, add a little more plant-based milk.
- Experiment: Don’t be afraid to try different substitutes to see what works best for your taste and the type of cake you’re making.
Troubleshooting
- Cake Too Dry?: Increase the amount of vegan butter or oil slightly, or add more plant-based milk.
- Cake Not Rising?: Ensure your baking soda or powder is fresh. Adding an acidic element like apple cider vinegar can help activate the baking soda, which aids in rising.
Celebrating Vegan Baking
Transforming a cake mix into a vegan treat is not just about substituting; it’s about experimenting and finding what works for your preferences and dietary needs. Vegan baking is a rewarding experience that allows you to enjoy all the flavors and textures you love without compromising your ethical or dietary choices.
Now that you know how to turn a box cake vegan, use the ideas on this page for delicious creations everyone will love.
