Updated in 2021! Duncan Hines Cake Mixes were a standard at many childhood celebrations when I was a kid, and continue to be a way for people to produce a spot on, birthday-worthy, cost-effective dessert with little fuss and no muss! Plus, the flavors have been specially formulated (in a lab no less!) to perfectly greet our taste buds, and the leavening is added in just the right ratios to create a nearly foolproof cake.
These highly accessible boxes have gained quite a following in the dairy-free community, especially when frugality and ease is in order. Yes, most Duncan Hines Cake Mixes are Kosher Parve (OU) and contain no dairy ingredients. But use caution, as some do contain milk. At last check, I found the following varieties to be milk-free by ingredients (always verify for yourself as ingredients and labeling can change!).
Duncan Hines Cake Mixes: The Dairy-Free & Vegan Options
Based on our review of each flavor, the following are made without any milk ingredients. But all of them are made with wheat. I’ve included a note if they contain eggs, soy, and/or nuts. If you see any product changes that we haven’t addressed yet, please kindly leave a comment!
The Name Game: Please note that the “Classic” and “Moist Deluxe” cake mix lines are currently branded as just “Perfectly Moist.” The “Signature” line also has “Perfectly Moist” in the title, but has “Signature” across the tp.
Classic Cake Mix Boxes
- Keto-Friendly Yellow*
- Perfectly Moist Butter Golden
- Perfectly Moist Butter Recipe Fudge
- Perfectly Moist Devil’s Food
- Perfectly Moist Dark Chocolate Fudge
- Perfectly Moist Swiss Miss Hot Cocoa Cake (seasonal)
- Perfectly Moist Classic White
- Perfectly Moist Classic Yellow
- Signature Angel Food (not vegan; contains eggs)
- Signature Banana Supreme
- Signature Blue Velvet
- Signature Carrot
- Signature Coconut Supreme
- Signature French Vanilla
- Signature Fudge Marble
- Signature German Chocolate
- Signature Lemon Supreme
- Signature Orange Supreme
- Signature Pineapple Supreme
- Signature Pink Velvet
- Signature Rainbow Confetti
- Signature Red Velvet
- Signature Spice
- Signature Strawberry Supreme
- Signature Swiss Chocolate
Kits, Mugs, and Other Specialty Cake Mixes
- Easy Kit Cheesecake* (not vegan; contains honey; must use dairy-free cream cheese and butter alternatives to make)
- Easy Kit Chocolate Lover’s (with frosting)
- Easy Kit Golden Fudge* (with frosting)
- Epic Cake Kit, Fruity Pebbles
- Mug Cake, Blueberry Muffin
- Mug Cake, Walnut Brownie
- Mug Cake with Frosting, Confetti
*These are certified kosher dairy, most likely for dairy equipment, but do not appear to have any dairy in the ingredients. As always, verify the ingredients on the package before purchasing. Contact the company to discuss their allergen protocols if you are concerned with the potential of cross-contamination in manufacturing.
Discontinued Dairy-Free Duncan Hines Cake Mixes
- Black and White Decadent Cupcake (with frosting)
- Caramel Apple Decadent Cupcake (with frosting & seasonal)
- Chocolate Lover’s Decadent Cupcake (with frosting)
- Pumpkin Spice Decadent Cupcake (with frosting & seasonal)
- Spring Velvets (seasonal; could return)
- Autumn Velvets (seasonal; could return)
- Summer Velvets (seasonal; could return)
- Holiday Velvets (seasona; could returnl)
- Easy Kit Red Velvet (with frosting)
- Easy Kit Strawberries & Creme (with frosting)
These Duncan Hines Cake Mixes Contain Dairy
- Signature Triple Chocolate
- Signature Tres Leches
- Easy Kit Coffee Cake (discontinued, but could still be sold in some places)
- Keto Cake Mix Cup, Birthday Cake
- Keto Cake Mix Cup, Double Chocolate Cake
- Mug Cake, Caramel Brownie
- Mug Cake, Cinnamon Coffee Cake
- Mug Cake with Frosting, Carrot*
- Mug Cake with Frosting, Chocolate Brownie*
- Mug Cake with Frosting, Lemon*
- Mug Cake with Frosting, Strawberry Shortcake*
*Duncan Hines lists these Mug Cake varieties as made without milk ingredients and without milk allergens. But many stores still list them with milk ingredients. There might be a product transition, so we are leaving these in the “Contains Dairy” list for now.
Bake it Dairy Free
Most of these mixes call for oil, eggs, and water. So they are even dairy-free when baked per the instructions. On occasion, they release a variety that calls for butter. In those cases, you will need to substitute dairy-free buttery sticks (spread might also work). You can technically use almost any liquid in place of the water if you prefer (dairy-free milk beverage, juice, etc), but keep the flavor profile of the cake in mind.
Bake it Vegan
The dairy-free Duncan Hines Cake Mixes are typically vegan, too (the Angel Food Cake does contain eggs). However, they call for eggs in the instructions. To circumvent this, you can use an egg substitute. Or you can use 1 15-ounce can of pumpkin or 1 12-ounce carbonated beverage (soda water, cola, etc) in place of the eggs, oil, AND liquid called for. The latter option produces cake that is moist, but doesn’t rise as high. Please note that these substitutes might be more finicky at high altitude (above 3000 feet).
More Facts on Duncan Hines Cake Mixes
- Certifications: Many of the Duncan Hines Cake Mixes are Certified Kosher Parve.
- Dietary Notes: By ingredients, these Duncan Hines Cake Mixes are dairy-free / non-dairy, and most are also egg-free, nut-free, peanut-free, vegan, and vegetarian.*
- For More Product Information: Visit the Duncan Hines website at www.duncanhines.com.
*Always read the ingredient and nutrition statement prior to consumption. Ingredients, processes, and labeling are subject to change at any time for any company or product. Contact the company to discuss their manufacturing processes if potential allergen cross-contamination is an issue for you. No food product can be guaranteed “safe” for every individual’s needs. You should never rely on ingredient and allergen statements alone if dealing with a severe food allergy.
For More Dairy-Free Guidance, Get Go Dairy Free:
82 Comments
Is it just a given that the vegan adjustments toDuncan Hines mixes just do not rise? I made 4 separate batches using a 12 oz bottles of cream soda to replace the ingredients to be added. The batter looked and tasted amazing. I was really psyched about finding a way to easily make vegan cupcakes. I set the oven timer to the longest cook time and then started adding 5 minutes each time the timer ran out. The cupcakes rose at first and then sunk back down almost halfway through the paper cup. I kept adding time until I got up to 45 minutes, which seemed exhorbitant. The tops were crunchy and they were still slightly raw in the middles. I was so disappointed! Any ideas on what might work better?
Hi Susie, when they rise and then sink, that is usually an over-rising issue, not underbaking, so continuing to bake for an extended period of time won’t help. Do you live at high altitude (over 3000 feet)? From what you are saying, they rose just fine – the sinking is one of two things: they rose too much in too short of a time (high altitude issue) or there simply wasn’t enough binder to hold the rise in that batch. I lean toward the former since Duncan Hines mixes usually have enough binder, even without the egg.
Most of those cake mixes you mentioned have palm oil? Do you know if they’re ethically sourced palm oil products?
Thanks and have a nice day.
It’s Duncan Hines, so I doubt they are as concerned about sourcing as some of the natural and organic brands.
I’ve noticed that banana can be used as a egg substitute can I use this also do I still use the water an oil you’re awesome love you’re advice an recipes
Tysvm nikki
Daughter that has to have vegan gf df food
It can, but I’d hesitate on using it as a sub for the oil and water too. It has a lot of pectin, which will affect the texture and density, and that much banana will make it a “banana cake” in taste.
I tried substituting a can of ginger ale for the egg,water and oil and it turned out too airy and sunken in. Maybe o shouldn’t have used my mixer? Has anyone had any success doing it this way?
Yes, I would just stir it in, not mix with a mixer.
Success! Duncan Hines Chocolate (Deviled) Cake Mix with Pumpkin. I was apprehensive as I wasn’t sure the flavors would compliment each other. Used the pumpkin in place of the liquid, eggs and oil. The batter was thick as I tried to put it into the cupcake holders. Did not look pleasing. Wet a spoon by dipping it into warm water and smoothed each cupcake leaving just a bit of moisture. Was pleasantly pleased with the way they rose. After cooing, frosted with chocolate vegan frosting. My husband and I both tested and I have deemed this a success! Thank you.
Awesome! I’m so glad to hear you were happy with the results. Happy holidays!
I am going to do the Devil’s Food DH Box — and try the pumpkin…. wonder how it will taste?….
Thanks Alisa for info on the variety of cake mixes by Duncan Hines that a person trying to avoid dairy products may not have realized is vegan. I’ve used Duncan Hines to bake cupcakes in the past and although I always read over the ingredients listed on the packaging of everything I buy to make sure it’s suitable for vegans, when it comes to cake mixes I’d wonder if some of those ingredients I’d never heard of or couldn’t quite pronounce actually contained an animal product. Your article has been very helpful.
HI Alisa,
Have you found that replacing the “1 stick of softened butter” with an Earth Balance buttery stick has the same result, in general, when baking? Especially something like a Duncan Hines Cake mix?
Thank you for any insights! You’ve been a lifesaver for our milk-allergic daughter (now 10 years old and not “missing out” on anything!)
Hi Laura, for cake, yes. This swap should work in most cake recipes. It’s a bit more finicky for things like cookies, where the recipe isn’t leavened as much.
Happy that I can help!
These are NOT vegan. They use regular sugar. All white/refined sugar (used in almost everything) is filtered using bone char. Bone char is from cows’ bones, and they can use up to 70,000 pounds of it in one filter. Surprised no one else has mentioned this
You are in luck! Most white sugar is actually not refined using bone char. Only some cane sugar is (not beet sugar). Here is more information on this topic to make more vegan foods accessible to you -> https://www.diynatural.com/is-sugar-vegan/ and http://www.vegancooking.com/vegan-faq/is-white-sugar-vegan/ – Enjoy!
I was looking up cake mixes on the Target website and for Duncan Hines, under the product description, it says “may contain milk”.
Which variety? Some do contain milk.
Thank you for this post! I made the classic white Duncan Hines with 12oz (1 1/2 cups) and they came out great! I made cupcakes and followed the baking directions on the package with no problem. Even non vegan liked them! They didn’t rise allot, but once covered with frosting, you don’t even notice.
So happy it helped Megan. Thanks for the feedback!
Do you have a book of recipes that are not dairy free?j
No, dairy-free is what I do, so all of my books are dairy-free.
I make chocolate cake from box and replaced the milk on recipe for unsweetened coconut milk instead. Still used the eggs but it was great with the coconut milk
That’s great! Thanks for sharing this Stephanie!
hi…i am allergic to dairy…i use the duncan hines cake mixes and pillsbury frostings…all the duncan hines frostings i have checked contained milk..we are in the us…ncan hines brownies contained o milk…have used them before with no problems…
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Signature Angel Food has egg… just saying, it can not be made vegan as it already contains egg in the mix. :/
To true! See the “Make it Vegan” header above – I do note that the Angel Food Cake mix contains eggs. Got vegans covered in this too!
I have an app called “Is It Vegan”. When I heard Duncan Hines had some vegan options, I was stoked and used my app to scan the barcode to find that some of the flavors were vegan. This was over a year ago. I recently used the app again only to find that it now says “May Not Be Vegetarian”. I trust the app and use it all the time. Once in awhile I recheck the barcodes because I know that sometimes ingredients can be added that is not vegan friendly. What are your thoughts on this?
Hi Mari, I couldn’t tell you for sure. Vegan involves quite a few more considerations than dairy free in terms of ingredients. It’s possible they aren’t strictly vegan.
That app has terrible reviews. It isn’t reliable at all. You have to read labels. Even in the above list, she has Angel Food, and it is DAIRY free, but it contains egg in the mix, therefore is isn’t vegan and can not be made vegan, just vegetarian. An ingredient that my husband and I run into all the time is Whey. We see it listed a lot on items where manufacturers haven’t actually used milk, but have used a milk derivative the item still contains dairy. We have also run into things recently saying they are Lactose free, but when reading the ingredients realized that they are just that. The lactose has been ‘removed’ from the milk, but the product still has milk in it. So that item is off limits as well. It’s hard and takes a lot of reading labels, but after a while you come to know what you can and can’t trust. We also love that a lot of companies are putting the word vegan or a vegan logo on their products making it so much easier to locate safe foods!
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