Savvy substitutes for dairy, eggs and nuts
Removing allergenic foods from your family’s diet will change the way you grocery shop, the meals you eat, and how you prepare your everyday and special-occasion recipes. Rudnicki, a pro at
modifying recipes for baked goods, suggests the following substitutions for dairy, eggs and nuts.
Top dairy substitutions:
- Instead of dairy milk, use Silk Plain Soy Milk.
- To make dairy-free buttermilk, add 1 tablespoon plain white vinegar or fresh lemon juice to a measuring glass and fill with soy milk to reach a 1-cup measure. Let sit for 10 to 15 minutes.
- Use dairy-free margarine and shortening.
- Substitute Tofutti’s tofu-based products for sour cream and cream cheese.
- Make dairy-free heavy cream by pureeing silken tofu in a blender.
Top egg and nut substitutes:
- Replace each egg with 1/4 cup unsweetened applesauce or 1/4 cup mashed banana.
- Replace each egg with 1/4 cup tofu or 1 tablespoon water.
- Replace each egg with 1 tablespoon flax meal and 3 tablespoons hot water; let stand for 5 minutes or until thickened.
- Substitute soy nut butter for peanut butter.
“Baking is a science, and when you take out a crucial ingredient like eggs, it can drastically change the taste and texture of the finished product,” says Rudnicki. “Through lots
of trial and error, I found that some of the best substitutes are the cheapest and most natural, like water.” The author of The Food Allergy Mama’s Baking Book has done the
home kitchen experimentation so you don’t have to (unless you so desire) and delivers nearly 100 easy-to-make recipes for both sweet and savory baked goods. And the best part? Your whole
family will enjoy them.
Dairy-free, egg-free and nut-free dessert recipes
Recipes adapted from The Food Allergy Mama’s Baking Book
Chewy Double Chocolate Cookies
Makes 2 dozen
Ingredients:
2/3 cup dairy-free margarine
1 cup granulated sugar
1/4 cup unsweetened applesauce
2/3 cup dairy-free buttermilk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 cups unbleached all purpose flour
1/2 cup cocoa powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup dairy-free mini chocolate chips (Divvies or Enjoy Life brands)
Directions:
1. In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, combine margarine, sugar, applesauce, buttermilk and vanilla.
2. In a separate medium bowl, combine flour, cocoa powder, baking soda and salt with a wire whisk. Add flour mixture to butter mixture and mix on low for 1 minute to combine. Increase speed to
medium high and beat 2 to 3 more minutes.
3. Preheat oven to 400 F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Use a cookie scooper to place dough on baking sheet. Bake 7 to 10 minutes or until set. Cool completely on baking sheet.
Harvest Pumpkin Cake
Makes 1 (9-inch) layer cake
Ingredients:
1/2 cup dairy-free shortening
1 cup granulated sugar
1 cup light brown sugar
1/2 cup silken tofu
1 (15-ounce) can pumpkin puree
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
3 cups cake flour
4 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup soy or rice milk
Dairy-Free Cream Cheese Frosting (recipe below)
Directions:
1. In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, combine shortening, sugars, tofu, pumpkin and vanilla on low speed until creamy.
2. In a separate medium bowl, combine flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt with a wire whisk.
3. Preheat oven to 350 F and spray two 9-inch round cake pans with dairy-free baking spray. Add flour mixture to shortening mixture, alternating the additions with soy milk, and beat well.
4. Pour into prepared pans and bake for 25 to 35 minutes. Cool completely and frost.
Dairy-Free Cream Cheese Frosting
Makes 2 cups
Ingredients:
1/2 cup dairy-free margarine
3/4 cup dairy-free cream cheese
1/8 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2-1/2 cups confectioners’ sugar
Directions:
1. In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream together the margarine, cream cheese, salt and vanilla until thoroughly combined.
2. Slowly add in the confectioners’ sugar and mix on low for 1 minute. Increase the speed to medium and beat for 4 to 6 minutes, until light and fluffy. Chill about 30 minutes before using.
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