Facebook Twitter Instagram
    Pinterest Twitter Instagram RSS Facebook
    Buy GO DAIRY FREE and EAT DAIRY FREE today!
    Go Dairy Free
    • Need to Know
      • Newbies Start Here!
      • Take the Challenge!
      • Dairy-Free FAQs
      • Latest News
      • Milk Allergies
      • Lactose Intolerance
      • Other Health Issues
      • Testimonials
      • Calcium Guide
      • Holidays & More
      • Best Books
      • The Community
    • Recipes
      • Recipes by Category
      • Full Recipe Index
      • Gluten-Free Recipe Index
      • Vegan Recipe Index
    • Reviews
      • Dairy Substitutes
        • Butter
        • Cheese
        • Cream
        • Creamer
        • Dessert Toppings
        • Ice Cream
        • Ice Cream Novelties
        • Milk
        • Yogurt
        • More Kitchen Essentials
      • Dairy-Free Sweets & Snacks
        • Protein Shakes
        • More Creamy Beverages
        • Snack & Protein Bars
        • More Snacks
        • Chocolate
        • Cookie Dough
        • Cookies & Brownies
        • Pies & Cakes
        • Pudding & Mousse
        • More Sweet Treats
      • Dairy-Free Meal Makers
        • Baking Mixes
        • Bread Products
        • Breakfast Pastries
        • Cereal & Granola
        • Cheesy Pasta & Rice
        • Frozen Pizza
        • More Entrees
        • Dip and Spreads
        • Salad Dressing
        • Sauces
      • All Product Reviews
        • New Product Reviews!
        • Browse by Product Type
        • Full Review Index
        • Gluten-Free Review Index
        • Vegan Review Index
    • Grocery Guide
      • Alisa’s Dairy-Free Kitchen
      • Brands We Love
      • Dairy Substitutes
      • Dairy Ingredient List
      • Understanding Food Labels
      • No Dairy Product Lists
      • Ordering Specialty Foods
      • Best Grocery Stores
    • Eating Out
      • Fast Food Listings
      • Recommended Restaurants
    • My Books!
      • Go Dairy Free 2nd Edition (best seller!)
      • Eat Dairy Free 1st Edition (full color!)
      • eBooks & Printables
      • Book Supplements & Resources
    • About Us
      • Meet Us
      • Contact Us
      • Join Us
      • Work With Us
    Go Dairy Free
    You are at:Home»Product Reviews»Dairy-Free Baking Mix Reviews»Duncan Hines Cake Mixes: The Dairy-Free & Vegan Options

    Duncan Hines Cake Mixes: The Dairy-Free & Vegan Options

    82
    By Alisa Fleming on November 8, 2021 Dairy-Free Baking Mix Reviews

    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!).

    Dairy-Free Duncan Hines Cake Mixes - Most varieties are kosher parve, and we tell you how to make them vegan, too!

    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:

    Go Dairy Free 2nd Edition - The Ultimate Guide and Cookbook for Dairy-Free Living with Over 250 Recipes!

    Alisa Fleming
    • Website

    Alisa is the founder of GoDairyFree.org, Food Editor for Allergic Living magazine, and author of the best-selling dairy-free book, Go Dairy Free: The Guide and Cookbook for Milk Allergies, Lactose Intolerance, and Casein-Free Living, and the new cookbook, Eat Dairy Free: Your Essential Cookbook for Everyday Meals, Snacks, and Sweets. Alisa is also a professional recipe creator and product ambassador for the natural food industry.

    Related Posts

    Dairy-Free Chocolate Frosties Recipe - Healthy, Plant-Based, Paleo, and made with Whole Foods! Coconut-free option.

    Dairy-Free Chocolate Frosties made Purely with Plant-Based Ingredients

    Whipped Dairy-Free Strawberry Dip Recipe - Light, Fluffy, Delicious! Infused with fresh fruit. Naturally vegan and allergy-friendly.

    Whipped Strawberry Dip to Fluff Up Your Fruit Platter

    Grilled Flank Steak (or Chicken) Recipe with Garlic Lime Marinade - dairy-free, gluten-free, allergy-friendly, paleo optional

    Grilled Flank Steak (or Chicken) with Garlic Lime Marinade

    82 Comments

    1. Susie Shillinglaw on February 19, 2019 10:46 am

      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?

      Reply
      • Alisa Fleming on February 19, 2019 10:52 am

        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.

        Reply
    2. Complex Carbivorous on February 13, 2019 1:02 pm

      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.

      Reply
      • Alisa Fleming on February 13, 2019 7:02 pm

        It’s Duncan Hines, so I doubt they are as concerned about sourcing as some of the natural and organic brands.

        Reply
    3. Nikki on February 13, 2019 11:34 am

      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

      Reply
      • Alisa Fleming on February 13, 2019 7:02 pm

        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.

        Reply
    4. Susan on December 25, 2018 4:48 pm

      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?

      Reply
      • Alisa Fleming on December 26, 2018 10:56 am

        Yes, I would just stir it in, not mix with a mixer.

        Reply
    5. Grandma Patty on December 22, 2018 9:12 pm

      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.

      Reply
      • Alisa Fleming on December 23, 2018 8:03 am

        Awesome! I’m so glad to hear you were happy with the results. Happy holidays!

        Reply
    6. patty on December 22, 2018 11:03 am

      I am going to do the Devil’s Food DH Box — and try the pumpkin…. wonder how it will taste?….

      Reply
    7. Kawanna on October 11, 2018 7:19 am

      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.

      Reply
    8. Laura Collins on September 1, 2018 1:35 pm

      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!)

      Reply
      • Alisa Fleming on September 1, 2018 1:41 pm

        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!

        Reply
    9. Amara on August 17, 2018 8:57 am

      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

      Reply
      • Alisa Fleming on August 17, 2018 11:07 am

        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!

        Reply
    10. Amanda Krause on August 12, 2018 1:08 pm

      I was looking up cake mixes on the Target website and for Duncan Hines, under the product description, it says “may contain milk”.

      Reply
      • Alisa Fleming on August 12, 2018 1:40 pm

        Which variety? Some do contain milk.

        Reply
    11. Megan on July 16, 2018 12:31 pm

      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.

      Reply
      • Alisa Fleming on July 16, 2018 1:02 pm

        So happy it helped Megan. Thanks for the feedback!

        Reply
    12. Josephine Seymour on July 10, 2018 9:49 am

      Do you have a book of recipes that are not dairy free?j

      Reply
      • Alisa Fleming on July 10, 2018 10:09 am

        No, dairy-free is what I do, so all of my books are dairy-free.

        Reply
    13. Stephanie on June 20, 2018 4:46 pm

      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

      Reply
      • Alisa Fleming on June 20, 2018 5:16 pm

        That’s great! Thanks for sharing this Stephanie!

        Reply
    14. Karen Wicker on June 20, 2018 4:09 pm

      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…

      Reply
    15. Pingback: Dairy-Free Cake Mixes: Your Complete Guide (with Vegan & Gluten-Free)

    16. Pingback: Rhubarb Dump Cake Recipe (Simple, Delicious & Dairy-Free!)

    17. Pingback: Vegan Cupcakes - Coming Full Spiral

    18. Britney on April 23, 2018 11:44 am

      Signature Angel Food has egg… just saying, it can not be made vegan as it already contains egg in the mix. :/

      Reply
      • Alisa Fleming on April 23, 2018 12:05 pm

        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!

        Reply
    19. Mari on March 26, 2018 8:49 pm

      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?

      Reply
      • Alisa Fleming on March 26, 2018 9:20 pm

        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.

        Reply
      • Britney on April 23, 2018 11:58 am

        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!

        Reply
    20. Pingback: Confetti Cookies Recipe (Dairy-Free, Kid-Friendly & Vegan Optional)

    ← Older Comments
    Newer Comments →

    Leave A Reply Cancel Reply

    Go Dairy Free Recipes, Reviews and News to Your Inbox!

    Go Dairy Free - The Guide and Cookbook for Milk Allergies, Lactose Intolerance and Casein-Free Living Fames Dairy Free Chocolate
    The 10 Best Dairy-Free Yogurt Brands to Buy Right Now - we compared over 35 brands - all vegan, plant-based, gluten-free, and carrageenan-free

    The 10 Best Dairy-Free Yogurt Brands to Buy Right Now

    Wacky Vegan Chocolate Cupcakes - The World's Easiest Pantry Recipe (also known as Crazy, Joe, or WW II Cupcakes)

    Chocolate Cupcakes: Every Joe Will Go Crazy for These Wacky Treats

    Speedy Homemade Wheat Hamburger Buns Recipe - fast and easy! Ready in just 40 minutes (no rise). Dairy-free with vegan option.

    Homemade Wheat Hamburger Buns that Are Ready in Just 40 Minutes!

    Enjoy Life Foods Eat dairy free book
    Go Dairy Free is the leading website for information on the dairy-free diet. We share dairy-free recipes, product reviews, news, recommendations and health guides to aide those with milk allergies, lactose intolerance or a general need or desire to live without dairy. Dairy-free does include milk-free, lactose-free, casein-free and whey-free, too! We also offer ample resources for gluten-free, soy-free, food allergy, vegan and paleo diets. Please note that ingredients, processes and products are subject to change by a manufacturer at any time. All foods and products should be considered at risk for cross-contamination with milk and other allergens. Always contact the manufacturer prior to consumption. Disclaimer - All Rights Reserved - Privacy Policy Go Dairy Free © 2005-2022 Fleming Marrs Inc.

    Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.