“Is it vegan?” is one of the questions I hear most often. The short answer: egg-free and vegan are not the same thing. Here is what each one means.

Egg-free and eggless mean the same thing

An egg-free (or eggless) cake is made without eggs as an ingredient. Every cake, cupcake, cookie and cake mix I make is egg-free. It isn’t a special request in my kitchen; it is simply how I bake everything.

Vegan goes further

A vegan cake leaves out every animal product, which usually includes butter, milk, cream and some decorations. An egg-free cake may still contain dairy. If you need a cake that is also dairy-free, mention it in your inquiry and I’ll let you know what is possible.

Who chooses egg-free cakes?

  • Vegetarian families who don’t eat eggs.
  • Religious and cultural traditions that avoid eggs, including many Hindu, Jain and other communities.
  • Guests with egg allergies, so the whole party can share one cake.
  • Anyone who simply loves a good cake. Most guests never guess there are no eggs.

How my egg-free cakes stay moist and tall

Eggs help a regular cake rise, hold together and stay tender. In egg-free baking, the recipe has to do those jobs in other ways, so I build my recipes from the start with the right balance of leavening, fat and moisture. The result is a soft, tender crumb that is still sturdy enough for stacked wedding tiers and sculpted designs.

A note on allergies

If one of your guests has a severe egg allergy, please tell me in your inquiry. It helps me plan your order with that in mind and answer any questions you have.