A vegan diet has always been renowned for its underlying values of compassion and kindness towards animals. However, it’s now gained praise for its health benefits and over recent years, it’s attracted tonnes of attention. I feel the latter has gone hand in hand with the world’s increased focus on climate change, and the environmental benefits which a vegan diet has been proven to have. As a nation, we are coming to learn the negative costs associated with the production and consumption of dairy. Hence why vegan wedding cakes are becoming more popular.
“You can have your cake and eat it too!”
It’s often presumed that if we go vegan, we cut out our favourite foods and treats. This is many people’s concern when it comes to vegan cakes given the amount of dairy and eggs used in traditional recipes. But that’s simply not the case. You can have your cake and eat it too!
The rise in veganism has caused correlating experimentation with different plant-based alternatives and a surge in vegan products available in the supermarkets. As a result, we’re able to make uncompromising vegan alternatives to our favourite meals and sweet treats.
How are vegan wedding cakes environmentally friendly?
When you go food shopping, do you ever think about how food’s been produced? More specifically, do you ever think about dairy production?
Dairy is the predominant animal-product found in traditional cake recipes. However, dairy is known to be one of the most environmentally damaging foods there is, along with beef.
That’s due to both foods coming from cows and the extensive use of land, water and fossil fuels needed to rear them.
Also, a significant amount of Methane is produced in mass by livestock’s burps and flatulence which has become problematic for our planet. Methane is the second-most prevalent greenhouse gas and plays an important part in global warming.
Considering there are more than 1.3 billion cows on the planet due to human’s desire for meat and dairy, the amount of Methane adds up fast. Making it no surprise that rearing livestock has a huge carbon footprint, producing around 28% of global emissions.
With the facts, you can now understand how vegan wedding cakes are considered the more environmentally friendly and kinder option for your wedding or special occasion.
How do you make traditional sponge recipes vegan?
We know vegan cakes are more environmentally friendly, but how can we create the same taste and textures we experience with traditional recipes?
“Baking is both a science and an art.”
I always find it amazing that a simple handful of wet and dry ingredients combine to create CAKE. It’s awesome. For me, baking is both a science and an art.
The more we become familiar with baking, the more we’re able to tweak recipes to make them vegan and improve results as we practice. But to decide what to tweak, we first need to understand the science of baking.
In any baking recipe, every single ingredient has a purpose. For example, flour gives cakes their structure, while eggs bind the ingredients and baking powder/soda make it rise. Fats and sugars also have their unique roles in forming the perfect sponge.
Understanding the purpose of each ingredient and required proportions means we can replicate the science with the right plant-based substitutions to create the most delicious vegan tastes and textures. A few plant-based substitutes I use include:
- Apple Cider Vinegar
- Dairy-free milk
- Dairy-free butter
- Dairy-free yoghurt
- Aquafaba (chickpea juice)
There is a method to this magic. Importantly, experience, baking technique and skill all play a key role in bringing all the ingredients together in just the right way.
Any system can function only if all its parts do their job – the same principle applies in vegan baking. Like with everything else, practice makes perfect.
Ever since going vegan, I’ve been on a mission to create the perfect cake sponge after feeling disappointed with results from recipes on the web. I’ve taken time to learn the science. Paired with a thoughtful and perfectionist approach to my work, I’ve managed to create a light, fluffy and incredibly delicious vegan sponge.
Some have gone as far to say it’s the best they’ve ever had.
Vegan wedding cakes are all-inclusive
As more people become more conscious of their health and the environment, we’re seeing an increase in people embracing veggie and vegan diets. Indeed, a quarter of British people are now drinking dairy-free milks e.g. almond, soya and oat. Plus, a recent study showed one in eight Brits are now completely vegan or vegetarian, and even more consider themselves ‘flexitarian’.
If you have vegan guests attending your wedding, or individuals who suffer with common food intolerances (e.g. dairy), imagine how thrilled they will be when they find out that they can join you in eating the cake!
Therefore, by choosing a vegan cake for your special occasion, you’re able to offer an all-inclusive experience for your guests.
Will vegan cakes look the same?
ABSOLUTELY.
I personally find there are many bakers who avoid vegan cake because it’s seen as a challenge or, if they do make them, the designs are quite basic to make the job less daunting.
At GMG Creative, I believe there is no reason why vegan celebration cakes need to be decorated in different ways.
In every way, they can be made equally, if not more, beautiful.
In conclusion…
There is no doubt that veganism is on the rise, as people globally try to be more sustainable and responsible through their food choices. But, as illustrated above, there is no reason why a dietary choice to avoid animal products means that you should go without cake on your wedding day!
At GMG Creative, I take pride in producing high-quality cakes, all of which are made with passion and meticulous care. Feel free to read more here and get in touch if you’d like a bespoke cake designed and baked.
After all, no wedding day would be complete without cake, would it?
