With the rising popularity of plant-based diets and dairy allergies, non-dairy ice cream cakes are becoming an increasingly common alternative to traditional ice cream cakes. Non-dairy ice cream cakes provide a sweet, cool treat for celebrations and special occasions without the dairy. But who actually makes non-dairy ice cream cakes? There are a few main options for non-dairy ice cream cake makers.
Grocery Store Bakeries
Many major grocery store chains with bakeries, like Safeway, Publix, Kroger, etc., offer non-dairy ice cream cake options. The bakeries in these grocery stores make their cakes in-house using dairy-free ice cream and other ingredients. For example, Safeway offers non-dairy ice cream cakes made with coconut milk or almond milk-based ice cream and decorated with fresh fruit. Kroger’s bakery has non-dairy chocolate or vanilla ice cream cakes made with soy ice cream. The grocery store bakery route offers convenience and makes non-dairy ice cream cakes easily accessible for many consumers.
Local Bakeries
In addition to large grocery store chains, many local independent bakeries also create non-dairy ice cream cakes. These neighborhood bakeries can offer unique, customized non-dairy ice cream cake options made with high-quality, innovative ingredients. Local bakeries may use dairy-free ice creams from local shops or make their own homemade non-dairy ice cream to use in the cakes. Supporting these local businesses allows consumers to get specialty non-dairy ice cream cakes often not found at bigger stores. However, availability depends on locations and options may be more limited.
Online Ordering
For those who don’t live near grocery stores or bakeries that stock non-dairy ice cream cakes, ordering online is an easy option. Many national brands like Daiya, So Delicious, and Coolhaus offer shippable non-dairy ice cream cakes made with dairy-free ice cream and cake layers. These cakes are shipped frozen overnight with dry ice to keep the cakes solid during transport. Online ordering allows anyone to access non-dairy ice cream cakes no matter where they live. However, shipping costs can make these cakes pricey.
DIY Non-Dairy Ice Cream Cakes
For the more ambitious, making non-dairy ice cream cakes at home is also an option. This requires finding or making dairy-free ice cream, buying cake layers, and assembling and decorating the cake yourself. Any type of ice cream and cake flavor combinations can be customized at home. The DIY route takes more effort but allows for total creativity and control over ingredients. Cooling and freezing overnight is required to set the ice cream layers.
Non-Dairy Ice Cream Brands
Ice cream is the core component of non-dairy ice cream cakes, so many major dairy-free ice cream brands also offer pre-made cake options. Popular national non-dairy ice cream makers like So Delicious, Coconut Bliss, NadaMoo, and Ben & Jerry’s dairy-free all sell ready-to-go ice cream cakes on their websites. These cakes are made by the ice cream brands themselves, showcasing their signature flavors. Since the brands specialize in dairy-free ice cream, customers can trust these cakes to be tasty and high quality.
Vegan Bakeries
In areas with large vegan populations, specialized all-vegan bakeries are cropping up to meet demands. These 100% plant-based bakeries cater to vegans, dairy-allergic, and eco-conscious customers by using no animal products. Big cities like New York, Los Angeles, and Portland have local vegan bakeries whipping up creative non-dairy ice cream cakes in flavors like chocolate peanut butter, cheesecake swirl, and lemon raspberry. Supporting these niche vegan bakeries helps the dairy-free, ethical food movement grow.
Frozen Yogurt Chains
Believe it or not, some frozen yogurt chains also produce non-dairy ice cream cakes! Pinkberry, Menchie’s, Yogurtland, and 16 Handles all offer dairy-free ice cream cake options at select locations. The cakes are pre-made then customized with toppings in store. Frozen yogurt lends itself well to being non-dairy since many stores already have dairy-free yogurt options. This gives customers another easy, mainstream way to enjoy dairy-free ice cream cakes.
Restaurant Chains
As plant-based eating gains popularity, restaurant chains are adding non-dairy ice cream cakes to their menus for special occasions. Fast food chains like Dairy Queen now serve dairy-free ice cream cakes upon request at certain locations. Sit-down chains like The Cheesecake Factory have introduced vegan cheesecakes made from dairy-free cream cheese and ice cream. Calling ahead to check menu options can reveal surprising non-dairy ice cream cake finds at restaurants.
Allergy-Friendly Bakeries
For those with food allergies, specialized allergy-friendly bakeries offer non-dairy ice cream cakes along with many other allergen-free treats like nut-free, gluten-free, etc. These bakeries cater to people with a range of dietary needs and allergies, so they skip all common allergens and focus on specialized ingredients to make their pastries and cakes safe for all. While pricier, they provide peace of mind for allergy sufferers.
Mail Order Dessert Companies
Online companies like Goldbelly allow customers to mail order decadent desserts like non-dairy ice cream cakes from famous bakeries around the country. The cakes are packaged in insulated containers with dry ice and shipped overnight to the customer’s doorstep. This gives access to bakery creations from top pastry chefs that would normally require traveling. Customers can choose options like alcohol-infused cakes or cannoli cakes for truly unique gifts.
Fundraising Companies
Believe it or not, fundraising companies are also major producers of non-dairy ice cream cakes! Brands like Tastefully Simple create indulgent cakes that schools, churches, teams, and other organizations can sell to raise money. Companies like Nothing Bundt Cakes even allow groups to customize and pre-sell their own personalized ice cream cakes as fundraisers. This gives customers access to inventive flavor options that support good causes.
Conclusion
In summary, non-dairy ice cream cakes are now made by a wide variety of sources ranging from grocery store bakeries to local vegan brands to DIY. The growing demand has brought about many diverse options in recent years, giving more access than ever for specialty diets or those avoiding dairy. No matter what the reason for wanting an alternative ice cream cake, there are now plentiful resources to find a delectable dairy-free dessert made ethically and creatively.
With rising health consciousness and food allergy rates, this once niche market has gone mainstream. Now customers can even find dairy-free ice cream cakes at local grocery store chains in simple chocolate and vanilla flavors or go online for a more elaborate alcohol-infused cake shipped overnight from across the country. Non-dairy ice cream technology has also improved greatly, creating options that rival the taste and texture of regular ice cream.
The exploding market also empowers new vegan bakeries and fundraisers supporting important causes. Plus, it allows traditional bakeries and big brands to cater to more customers. Overall, the growing demand for dairy-free ice cream cakes brings people together, expands inclusivity around food, and provides more options for celebrating occasions deliciously.
In the future, expect even more advancement and availability in special diet-friendly baking as food awareness and creative innovation increases. Soon finding or even making a personalized non-dairy ice cream cake could be as easy as grabbing one from the grocery store dairy case. This movement allows more people to come together and indulge their sweet tooth despite dietary limitations.
So don’t hesitate to ask your local grocery store bakery or search online for the perfect dairy-free ice cream cake. There are endless ways to customize and create a meaningful treat without the dairy. Who actually makes them contains multitudes – from nationwide chains to neighborhood bakers and even DIY. With so many inclusive dessert options on the rise, there is a perfect non-dairy ice cream cake out there for every taste and diet.
Non-dairy ice cream cakes may once have been rare, but today they are widely available in diverse, delicious forms thanks to innovative bakers across the country.
