Duncan Hines is a popular brand of baking mixes, frostings, and ready-to-eat baked goods like brownies and cake cups. Many people wonder if Duncan Hines products are dairy-free or contain milk ingredients.
The quick answer is that most Duncan Hines products are not dairy-free and contain some form of milk product like whey, milk, butter, or cream. However, Duncan Hines does offer a few dairy-free options, like yellow cake mix and frostings made with almond or coconut milk. Those with milk allergies or following a vegan diet need to read labels carefully to identify Duncan Hines items that are free of milk and milk derivatives.
Milk Ingredients in Duncan Hines Products
The majority of items in the Duncan Hines brand contain some form of dairy ingredient. Here are some of the main milk-based components found in their baking mixes, frostings, and ready-to-eat items:
– Whey: A protein extracted from milk, commonly added to enhance moisture, texture, and browning.
– Milk: Liquid milk or milk powder added for flavor, moisture, and browning effects.
– Butter: Butter is made from milk fat and often used in cake mixes and frostings.
– Cream: Heavy cream or half-and-half lend richness and moisture.
– Buttermilk: Cultured milk adds tang and texture to baked goods.
– Casein: A milk protein used as an emulsifier and moisture enhancer.
– Sodium caseinate: A common dairy-based additive.
– Natural flavors: Can sometimes contain dairy components.
Duncan Hines Products That Contain Milk
Below are some examples of popular Duncan Hines items that are not dairy-free due to containing milk ingredients:
– Cake Mixes: Most mixes contain whey and/or milk. Exceptions are yellow, spice, and lemon cake made with water.
– Frostings: Most frostings contain milk, cream, whey or butter.
– Creamy Home-Style Frostings: Contain milk and whey.
– Whipped Fluffy Buttercream Frosting: Made with butter.
– Ready-to-eat cakes and brownies: Contain milk ingredients if not labeled dairy-free.
– Baking cups: Most contain milk or whey powder.
– Muffin mixes: Usually contain milk or buttermilk powder.
– Cookie and brownie mixes: Most have butter or milk listed in ingredients.
– Baking and pancake mixes: Usually contain milk or whey.
– Pie fillings and puddings: Dairy is typically present.
Label Reading Tips
When evaluating if a Duncan Hines product is dairy-free, be sure to carefully read the ingredient list and allergen statement:
– Check for milk, whey, butter, cream and other dairy terms.
– “Contains: Milk” in the allergen statement means it’s not dairy-free.
– Look for “milk-free,” “dairy-free,” or “vegan” claims on the label.
– Contact Duncan Hines if you have any questions on ingredients.
– Check for certification symbols like “Certified Vegan” or “Dairy-Free Certified.”
– Beware of “Natural Flavors” as they can occasionally contain hidden milk ingredients.
Duncan Hines Dairy-Free Options
While limited, Duncan Hines does offer some dairy-free selections:
Cake Mixes:
– Yellow Cake Mix, when prepared with water instead of milk
– Spice Cake Mix, when prepared with water
– Lemon Cake Mix, when prepared with water
Frostings:
– Creamy Chocolate Frosting, almond milk variety
– Creamy White Frosting, almond milk variety
– Buttercream Frosting, coconut milk variety
– Chocolate Buttercream Frosting, coconut milk variety
Pancake Mixes & Syrups:
– Buttermilk Pancake & Waffle Mix (dairy-free variety)
– Homestyle Pancake & Waffle Mix (dairy-free variety)
– Original Syrup
– Lite Syrup
– Sugar Free Syrups
Are Duncan Hines brownies dairy-free?
No, Duncan Hines brownie mixes and ready-to-eat brownies contain dairy ingredients. Most mixes call for butter or milk to be added. The ready-to-eat brownies also contain milk products. There are currently no dairy-free Duncan Hines brownie options. Those avoiding milk will need to choose an alternate brand.
Does Duncan Hines make vegan cake mixes?
Duncan Hines does not label any cake mixes as certified vegan. However, some mixes can be prepared dairy-free by using water instead of milk and egg replacer instead of eggs. The yellow, lemon, and spice cake mixes are able to be made vegan with these substitutions. Duncan Hines used to offer a vegan devil’s food cake but it has been discontinued.
What about Duncan Hines frosting?
Most Duncan Hines canned, tub, and pouch frostings contain milk or milk derivatives. However, there are a few varieties that are dairy-free:
– Creamy Chocolate Frosting – almond milk variety
– Creamy White Frosting – almond milk variety
– Buttercream Frosting – coconut milk variety
– Chocolate Buttercream Frosting – coconut milk variety
Always check labels carefully as formulas can change. Homemade powdered sugar frosting without butter would also be dairy-free.
Can you make Duncan Hines pancakes without milk?
Yes, you can make dairy-free Duncan Hines pancakes by using one of their non-dairy mixes or substituting the milk called for with a dairy-free milk like almond, soy or oat milk. Some specific mixes that are dairy-free include:
– Buttermilk Pancake & Waffle Mix (dairy-free variety)
– Homestyle Pancake & Waffle Mix (dairy-free variety)
You can also use their regular Bisquick mix and substitute the milk with a plant-based milk. Be sure to check the labels to confirm the variety you have chosen does not contain milk ingredients.
What about Duncan Hines muffin mixes?
Most Duncan Hines muffin mixes contain milk powder or buttermilk powder and are not dairy-free. A couple varieties to look for that don’t contain milk include:
– Blueberry Streusel Muffin Mix
– Double Chocolate Muffin Mix
However, double check the label and ingredients list when purchasing as formulations can change. For other flavors, non-dairy milk substitutions may work but texture and rise could be affected.
Can you make dairy-free Duncan Hines cookies?
Most Duncan Hines traditional cookie mixes call for butter or milk so are not dairy-free. However, their Triple Chocolate Chunk Cookie Mix is vegan and contains no milk ingredients.
For other cookie flavors, vegan butter replacements and non-dairy milk may work in the recipes but spread and texture could be compromised. It’s best to choose their Triple Chocolate mix for dairy-free cookies.
Conclusion
When shopping for Duncan Hines baking products, carefully check the labels and ingredients for any form of milk, whey, butter or cream. While most items contain dairy, there are some exceptions including specific varieties of yellow, spice, and lemon cake mixes, select almond and coconut milk frostings, and certain pancake and muffin mixes. Overall, vegans and those with milk allergies will need to read Duncan Hines labels diligently to identify the very limited dairy-free offerings in their product line.
