We've all been there: you're planning the perfect birthday bash, office celebration, or just a casual weekend hang when you discover one of your guests has dietary restrictions. Cue the silent panic. But before you spiral into dessert-related anxiety, let's talk about the unsung hero of inclusive party planning: the vegan cupcake.
Turns out, vegan cupcakes aren't just for vegans—they're the perfect dessert for guests with egg or milk allergies too. Believe it or not, milk and eggs rank among Canada's top food allergens, affecting 90% of allergic reactions! Vegan cupcakes could be a game-changer for your next event.
What’s the difference between regular and vegan cupcakes, anyways?
The main difference between vegan cupcakes and regular cupcakes is that vegan cupcakes have no dairy and no eggs in them. Vegan baking does not use any animal byproducts including eggs, milk, butter, dairy products, honey, and gelatin.
What are vegan cupcakes made of?
Vegan cupcakes are made by substituting egg and dairy products with plant-based alternatives like non-dairy milk, vegan butter, and oil. Since flour, sugar and baking powder are naturally vegan, they don’t need to be replaced.
The vegan recipes I use at Ampersand Bakehouse always have a little vinegar and baking soda so the cupcakes turn out light and fluffy. (Think of the chemical reaction for making a volcano in elementary school.) I also love to match my non-dairy milk to the cupcake flavour. For example, I use coconut milk in our Coconut Key Lime Cupcake and oat milk in the Cinnamon Bun Cupcake for extra flavour!
What is vegan frosting made of?
Let's be real—a cupcake is only as good as its frosting, and this is where things get interesting. Many bakeries will use an american buttercream because it’s easy to make vegan. You simply use a plant-based butter and powdered sugar (and maybe a hint of plant-based milk). I personally find american buttercream to be too sweet and prefer a swiss meringue buttercream. This is harder to make vegan as it consists of egg whites, white sugar and butter.
Thankfully, vegan ermine frosting is our secret at Ampersand Bakehouse. It’s a funny name, but it’s better than calling it boiled-milk frosting or flour buttercream! This recipe is silky smooth and less sweet than traditional icing options. I make it with coconut milk, brown sugar, plant-based butter, and a hint of flour. It’s more labour intensive, but totally worth it.
What do vegan cupcakes taste like?
The million-dollar question: do they actually taste good? If the bakery has done their job right, vegan cupcakes will taste just the same (or better) than regular cupcakes. At Ampersand Bakehouse, I make the vegan cupcake flavours appealing to everyone. Our most popular flavours include Strawberry Chocolate Cupcake, and Banana Chocolate Chip Cupcake. Although we serve cupcakes with both traditional and vegan baking, our vegan cupcakes always sell out.
"These are incredible! They are the best vegan cupcakes I have ever had! My daughter has an egg allergy and we have tried mannnnnnnny vegan cupcakes. Yours are the best," raves one customer named Dani Elle.
RELATED: View all of our Vegan Cupcake Flavours
Do vegan cupcakes have gluten?
Vegan cupcakes do have gluten. Vegan cupcakes need to use an alternative flour to make them gluten-free. You likely thought the two went together because many bakeries and cafes will group dietary requirements together into one product. Honestly, this is a bit of a pet peeve of mine. Just because someone is vegan doesn’t mean they are gluten intolerant.
Ampersand Bakehouse currently does not have any cupcakes that are both vegan and gluten-free. (Our vegan icing actually has a hint of flour in it!) Although this is on my list for future cupcake flavours, I want to focus on making the very best vegan cupcakes and the very best gluten-free cupcakes first, before combining them.
Thankfully, Toronto is filled with amazing bakeries for every possible need. All of the products at Bunner's are both vegan and gluten-free. Tori's Bakeshop and Bloomer's are vegan bakeries that also offer gluten-free options.
Are vegan cupcakes healthy?
Sorry to burst your bubble, but vegan cupcakes still have high sugar and fat content. Vegan baking uses "plant-based" alternatives to animal byproducts, so it can sound like a healthier choice. But similar to our gluten-free discussion above, you’ll have to look for an option that specifically notes it’s a healthy recipe. At Ampersand Bakehouse, I try to match traditional cupcake flavours so our vegan cupcakes are not any healthier.
Do vegan cupcakes need to be refrigerated?
Depends how hot the weather is! Since our vegan frosting uses a plant-based butter, I find that it doesn’t love the heat. If it’s a hot summer day, I would find a cool place in your home or get those cupcakes in the fridge! Just remember to take them out of the fridge an hour to two before eating so they can warm up to room temperature. Baked goods always taste best at room temperature.
The bottom line? Vegan cupcakes have evolved far beyond their "alternative dessert" reputation. Whether you're accommodating allergies, embracing plant-based living, or simply curious about this bakery trend, these modern treats prove that inclusive desserts don't have to sacrifice an ounce of deliciousness.