By Lucy Yanckello, Ph.D.
Wildgrain is the first bake-from-frozen subscription box for sourdough breads, fresh pastas, and artisanal pastries.
Veganism has become more popular in recent years, which has brought an increased interest in vegan food of all types, including desserts. Vegan desserts are free from animal products, such as dairy and eggs and are often perceived as a healthier alternative to regular sweets. Read on to learn more about how vegan desserts differ from regular desserts and if the assumption they are healthier is valid.
What does a vegan dessert mean? How do you know if sweets are vegan?
In short, vegan diets do not contain any animal products. The main ingredients in most desserts are usually animal based products, such as butter, cream, milk, and eggs. Additionally, many vegans also avoid honey, and thickeners like gelatin also contain animal products. To know if a sweet treat is vegan, it is best to read the ingredients. Additionally, if you are buying something sweet from a bakery, or eating a sweet treat at a restaurant, be sure to ask the chef or baker if the dessert contains dairy, eggs, honey, or gelatin.
What desserts can you eat as a vegan?
Because of the rise of plant-based diets, most desserts can be made vegan. Dairy free milk, plant-based butter, and other thickeners such as corn starch or agar agar have made it possible to substitute almost all animal-by products. It is important to check the ingredients if you are buying premade desserts by reading the label or asking the person who made the treat.
What does a vegetarian dessert mean? Are all vegan desserts vegetarian?
The vegetarian diet is different from the vegan diet because most vegetarians avoid eating animal meat while vegans avoid eating all animal by-products. Due to this discrepancy, most desserts that are vegetarian are not vegan. On the other hand, all vegan desserts are vegetarian.
What is the difference between vegetarian desserts vs. vegan desserts vs. regular desserts?
Vegetarian desserts and regular desserts are often one in the same, as there are not many desserts we know of that contain animal meat! That said, gelatin derived from animals is sometimes used in desserts, like gelato and ice cream, though these desserts can often be made with gelatin substitutes so that the vegetarian version tastes the same.
However, regular and vegetarian desserts are not vegan because they can still contain animal by-products which are no-nos for vegans. For a dessert to be considered vegan it cannot contain any dairy, eggs, honey, or gelatin, which are all acceptable ingredients for vegetarians and those without dietary restrictions.
Is vegan plant-based dessert healthier? Are plant-based, vegan desserts healthier than regular desserts?
There are pros and cons to vegan desserts. Due to the absence of butter and cream, vegan desserts often are lower in saturated fats than regular desserts. These saturated fats are replaced with plant-based fats such as monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats, which are beneficial for heart health and cholesterol levels. However, vegan desserts are still high in calories and sugar content, just as regular desserts are. Additionally, vegan desserts often rely heavily on processed ingredients to be able to replicate the texture and flavor of traditional desserts. All in all, although we wish it weren’t true, vegan desserts should be enjoyed in moderation, just as regular desserts should.Do vegan sweets taste different vs regular sweets?
Although there are usually a few substitutions that have to be made to make a dessert vegan, the vegan version is often just as delicious as the regular version. The quality of plant-based ingredients has increased with the rise in popularity of plant-based diets, such as veganism. This gives bakers better options for substitutions, and keeps the quality of desserts at a similar level to the original versions.What is the difference between vegan cake and regular cake? Is vegan cake healthier than regular cake?
Vegan cakes do not use eggs, milk, or butter and use plant-based ingredients as substitutes. However, because wheat flour is plant-based by nature, the major ingredient can stay the same. This helps vegan cake maintain the taste and texture of a regular cake. Some vegan cakes are also gluten-free, which does change the texture a bit. However, with the proper mixture of flours, cakes that are gluten-free, like these mini layer cakes from Wildgrain, can be just as delicious as the regular recipe.What is the difference between vegan cookies vs. regular cookies? Are vegan cookies healthier than regular cookies?
Vegan cookies are different from regular cookies because they do not contain eggs or butter, but instead substitute plant-based butter. In addition, if the cookies contain ingredients like chocolate chips, the chocolate cannot contain dairy either. Vegan cookies, such as the giant chocolate chip cookies from Wildgrain, are just as delicious as the regular recipe. They may be a twinge healthier than regular cookies due to the substitution of butter for plant-based butter, which contains plant-based fats instead of animal fat which reduces the saturated fat content. However, they are still packed with sugar and other delicious ingredients that should be enjoyed in moderation.Where can I buy the best desserts online?
At Wildgrain, we specialize in making high-quality, fresh pastas, breads, and desserts that are delivered directly to your door. Wildgrain is the first bake-from-frozen delivery subscription service for breads, pastries, fresh pastas, and desserts. Some of our popular plant-based desserts include mango and passion fruit mousse, mini layer cakes, and plant-based chocolate chip cookies. Learn more about Wildgrain and our artisanal baking and cooking methods.
About the Author
Lucy Yanckello received her Ph.D. in nutrition from the University of Kentucky College of Medicine. She currently works as a medical writer and enjoys being able to help people better understand nutrition and science.
This content is for informational use only and does not replace professional nutrition and/or medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. It is not a substitute for and should not be relied upon for specific nutrition and/or medical recommendations. Please talk with your doctor about any questions or concerns.
