An omnivorous colleague and I recently had a good-natured spat about cake. She insisted that non-vegan cake (or "real" cake, as she called it) was superior to the vegan version. Naturally, I challenged her to a cupcake battle.

Without telling them which was which, we had everyone in our office sample her non-vegan chocolate cupcakes and my vegan ones. In the end, only half could tell them apart. People kept asking me, "No butter? No eggs? What did you put in them?"

Vegan baking can be as inventive as hiding zucchini and black beans in desserts or as simple as making a vegan substitution. If you're working off an old family recipe or want to experiment with creating your own recipes, here are 5 simple vegan egg substitutes that are sitting in your kitchen right now.

Bananas

Bananas work as a binder, making them a great vegan egg substitute for baked goods. And-as a bonus-bananas add a dose of potassium too. They're sweet, so you might want to use less sugar than the recipe calls for (or, if you're me, forgo the extra tablespoon!). Using this substitute might add some banana flavor to whatever you're cooking, but with many baked goods, that just compounds the yum factor.

Substitute half a banana for one egg.

Try it in Laura Theodore's Chocolate Chip Banana Muffins.

Cornstarch

Using cornstarch as an egg substitute will thicken your batter, so it's best for recipes like cookies and puddings.

To replace one egg, mix one tablespoon of cornstarch with two tablespoons of water.

White Vinegar and Baking Powder

This combo is a great vegan egg substitute for cakes. It doesn't have a strong effect on the flavor of your cake as long as you also add a pinch of salt.

For each "egg," mix one tablespoon of water with one tablespoon of white vinegar in a separate bowl or glass. Then, stir in a teaspoon of baking powder. Now you're ready to add the mixture to your batter.

Applesauce

Like banana, applesauce doubles as an egg replacement and a sweetener. But it has the advantage of being an easier flavor to mask.

Opt for one-third of a cup of applesauce without baking powder (for a rich, dense cake or brownie) or one-fourth of a cup with a teaspoon of baking powder (for a light, fluffy dessert).

Try this egg substitute in Quick Cinnamon-Raisin Bread (shown above).

Water, Oil, and Baking Powder

In recipes that call for only one egg, a quarter cup of vegetable oil should be fine.

But for recipes that call for more than one, you can avoid a greasy baked good by whisking together two tablespoons of water, one teaspoon of vegetable oil, and two teaspoons of baking powder for each "egg" the recipe calls for.

For more vegan substitutions:

• Vegan Baking Substitutions Guide
• Vegan Substitutions Guide

If you're new to plant-based cooking, you may be looking for a guide to vegan substitutions to swap into favorite non-vegan recipes. Thankfully, there are plenty of products vegans can use in place of animal ingredients that will make vegan cooking a breeze. Let's cover how to replace animal ingredients with vegan ingredients. 

Milk. It's so easy to substitute for dairy milk in a recipe. You can use soymilk, rice milk, oat milk, hemp milk, or nut milk measure for measure. Most supermarkets carry at least a couple of varieties. It's that easy! If you're a bit more ambitious you can make your own nondairy milk; there are lots of recipes online, or see ours for homemade almond milk or hemp milk. For a store bought option, I really like this almond milk from Silk.

Cheese. It's so easy to find all kinds of vegan cheeses these days. And wow, have these come a long way. You can get slices, blocks, shreds, slices, and more.

In place of cottage or ricotta cheese, you can use crumbled tofu, soaked raw nuts, or a combo. And though it won't be quite as creamy or meltable as the real thing, it will be very good indeed. See the formula in Italian Eggplant Casserole with Cashew-Tofu Ricotta, or use it in our vegan zucchini lasagna where tofu ricotta is the star. Or try this 5 Minute Tofu Ricotta recipe. You may need to spice it up with herbs and add some salt to make it work in your particular recipe. Vegan "Parmesan" is also super easy to make and better than what's on the market.

Craving some tangy feta cheese? No issue there - try this simple vegan feta recipe. It's briny and crumbly, just like real feta.

Pizza? No problem. Daiya mozzarella shreds work incredibly well. In my experience, Daiya and Follow your Heart brand cheeses have the best melting power.

Cream cheese on your bagel? Daiya has you covered there, too. There are other brands but these are VegKitchen's favorites. (No affiliation - we just like them.)

Be sure to read the label as some vegetarian cheeses contain casein, which is not vegan. If you can find a great vegan cheese that you like, use it in your recipes in the same manner that you would use dairy cheese.

Now, whether you're vegan or lactose-intolerant, you no longer have to give up your favorite cheese-y foods. Or cheese itself! You'll find these links useful if you're a cheese lover who wants to reform:

• Make your own yummy treats with these 8 Amazing Cheese Recipes
• Or these 9 Amazing Vegan Mac and Cheese Recipes
• See our Vegan Cheese-y Delights category for all kinds of ideas

Eggs. A great substitute for scrambled eggs is a tofu scramble. You simply use crumbled tofu and heat in a frying pan. Kids generally like tofu scramble, especially kids who have been vegan their entire lives. You can spice it up with tomatoes, peppers, onions, or even potatoes and vegan bacon bits.

You can also make a great vegan scrambled from chickpea flour - check out these vegan scrambled eggs for inspiration.

In baked goods, good substitutions for eggs include applesauce, pureed soft tofu, Ener-G egg replacer, a flax egg (1 tablespoon ground flax seeds plus 3 tablespoons water or other liquid, blended), or mashed bananas. You'll have to experiment with your recipe to see what works best for you.

In dishes where eggs are usually used for binding (such as meatloaf) you can use oat or soy flour, rolled oats, cooked oatmeal, bread crumbs, instant potato flakes, nut butters, tomato paste, or cornstarch.

Chickpea flour makes amazing omelets, and aquafaba is useful for making recipes that originally call for egg whites, like mousse and meringue. See useful links for these and more:

• Chickpea Flour Omelets
• Aquafaba Recipes from Macarons to Mayo
• Classic Eggless Vegan "Egg" Recipes
• Vegan Baking Substitution Guide
• 5 Egg Replacers That Are Already in Your Kitchen

Beef or chicken stock. Replace beef or chicken stock with vegetable broth. Or use vegetable bouillon cubes.

Butter. There are vegan butters on the market that work well in substituting for butter. Be sure to read the labels because not all margarines are vegan. And sometimes mainstream margarines have questionable ingredients and hydrogenated fats.

You may also want to consider using oils like sunflower or olive instead of vegan butter. If you'd like to go with the major brands, make sure that the palm oil used is Fair Trade, otherwise it's an environmental hazard. And remember that the jury is still out on coconut oil!

Yogurt. Several companies make vegan yogurts that will substitute well in your recipes - soy, coconut, almond - more varieties are coming on the market each year. You can find them in fruit flavors and also plain for cooking and baking.

Sour Cream. Try plain nondairy yogurt, especially if used in making dips. There are also a few commercially available vegan sour creams on the market. Or, you can make your own Vegan Sour Cream using silken tofu. Delicious on all kinds of tortilla specialties and on cold soups like the Borscht shown above.

Mayonnaise. There are a few vegan mayonnaise products on the market. You can use vegan mayonnaise exactly the way you'd use non-vegan mayonnaise. Aquafaba can be used to make a great homemade vegan mayo (shown above from Serious Eats) as well.

Gelatin. If you need to substitute for gelatin in a recipe, use agar flakes or powder. It will thicken as it's heated. Also, there are a couple of companies that make a vegan fruit gelatin product that you should be able to find at your local health food market.

Honey. There are many liquid sweeteners on the market that you can use in your recipes instead of honey. However, they all vary in consistency and sweetness, making substitution a guessing game, at least initially. You may have to experiment with ratios until you figure out what works best in your recipes.

In general, however, maple syrup and agave nectar can be substituted measure for measure in recipes. Other sweeteners that are less sweet than honey include agave syrup, corn syrup, malt syrup, light and dark molasses, and brown rice syrup. Frozen fruit-juice concentrates, sorghum syrup, and concentrated fruit syrups range from being half as sweet to just as sweet as honey.

Sugar. Many vegans do not eat sugar since some brands are refined using bone char from animals. Others object to using sugar simply because it's often full of pesticides, and sugar plantation workers aren't always treated very well.

If you want to replace crystalline sugar in a recipe, here are some alternatives: beet sugar, fructose, natural organic sugar, unbleached cane sugar, turbinado sugar, date sugar, maple crystals, and granulated FruitSource. Some of these sugars dissolve better than others, so again, you'll have to experiment. As in other cases, using organic and fair trade products is the optimal choice.

Chocolate. Many people say they couldn't be vegan if it would mean giving up chocolate, but luckily they don't have to! There are many non-dairy vegan chocolate chips, cocoa powders, and chocolate bars. These are most easily found in the natural foods aisle of your supermarket, and of course, in natural foods stores. Once again, fair trade and organic are best.

Meat. If you want your foods to have a similar taste and texture to meat, you're in luck, because never before have so many companies been making vegan meat substitutes.

Among the products on the market now that will substitute for meat are: veggie deli slices (bologna, ham, turkey, and other flavors), veggie burgers, veggie meatballs, veggie sausage links and patties, veggie bacon, veggie ground "beef," soy chicken patties and nuggets, veggie meatloaf and Salisbury steak, veggie jerky, and whole "turkeys" for Thanksgiving or other holidays.

Check your vegan cookbooks for recipes for foods like "neatloaf," nut roasts, lentil-walnut patés, and other old favorites that traditionally contained animal flesh.

Ice Cream. Along with the proliferation of meat analogues, it's so easy to find vegan ice cream. This industry has grown tremendously. There are vegan ice creams based on soy, rice, nut, and coconut milks, and they're all delicious. Some are high in fat and some are fat-free.

Some are fruity like sorbet, while others are sinfully decadent like butter pecan, peanut butter zig-zag, or peanut caramel. You can also buy vegan ice cream sandwiches, mud pies, and ice cream bars. I've made some great shakes, floats, and malts using vegan ice cream products. Your kids will love them too!

Orignal aritcle ontributed by Erin Pavlina; updated by VegKitchen

Also try: our Favorite Basic Pizza Dough.

• For lots more features on healthy lifestyle, please explore VegKitchen's Healthy Vegan Kitchen page.

I'm a big fan of hemp seeds - they're my go-to source of omega fatty acids and a fantastic source of plant-based protein.They have a distinctive though gentle flavor, and what's surprising is, given their color, what a creamy white milk results. Truth be told, commercial hemp milk isn't that great. Making it at home is economical and tastes far better. And it couldn't be easier to make. Unlike other nut or seed milks; there's no soaking; and if you use a high-speed blender, no straining, either. Use as a cold beverage, in coffee or tea, in cereal, or wherever nondairy milk is called for. Photos by Evan Atlas. [Read more...]

Are you looking for some healthy vegan milk alternatives that can please your taste buds at the same time? Well, the market is flooded with dozens of non-dairy milk beverages and quite a few of them are worth trying. Sounds interesting? Read on below to learn more:

Why Vegan Milk is a Good Choice for You?

No matter whether you are a vegetarian or a non-vegetarian, picking non-dairy milk alternatives over the regular ones is always beneficial for you. Let us dig a bit deeper and find out why one should go for vegan milk choices:

1. Being free of lactose, it is non-allergenic. So, if you are allergic to cow milk, going vegan will help you a lot.
2. If you have lactose intolerance, the chances are big that you experience acid reflux, abdominal gas, bloating, etc. frequently. Dairy-free milk substitutes can eliminate these symptoms fast and easily.
3. Acne and regular milk always go hand in hand. The risk becomes even greater in case of skimmed milk. But when you replace your dairy consumption with the vegan alternatives, you get rid of it.
4. When the milk is produced from a cow non-organically, it gets contaminated by the antibiotics and hormones injected into the animal's body. The unnatural production process of milk also causes mastitis to cows, which results into the presence of pus in milk. All these lead to hormonal imbalances and various other ailments in human beings. However, when you opt for non-dairy milk, you can always stay away from these worries.
5. Most of the vegan milk alternatives can be made easily, quickly and economically at home and you can even add lots of flavor to it.

8 Best Vegan Milk Alternatives You Should Try

1. Soy Milk

It is prepared by pounding and processing dried soybeans with water. You can find a variety of flavors including light, sweet, full-cream, vanilla, chocolate, etc. in the market. The density and creaminess of the milk may also vary greatly and it tastes even better than regular milk.

Qualities:

• The protein content is almost similar to cow milk (around 8 grams a cup).
• High in dietary fiber, calcium, potassium, magnesium, vitamin B1, vitamin B2, vitamin D, plant-based omega-3 fatty acid, antioxidants, phytoestrogen, manganese, selenium, phosphorus, choline, folate, etc.
• Very low in saturated fats and sugar
• Lactose and cholesterol-free
• Prevents prostate cancer, osteoporosis, cholesterol transportation, etc.
• Strengthens blood vessels
• Eases menopausal symptoms

2. Oat Milk

This nutritious milk is made by pre-soaking the grains of oatmeal in water and straining the concotion carefully. It is sweet in taste and thick in consistency. A variety of flavor is available in the market and you are free to pick your favorite one.

Qualities:

• Fulfills almost 35% of our daily requirements of calcium
• Works as a 'protein powerhouse'
• Fat and sugar content is very low.
• Contains no cholesterol or saturated fats
• Rich in soluble fibers, iron, vitamin A, vitamin D, folate, phytochemicals, etc.
• Prevents a number of cancers
• Improves cardiovascular health
• Promotes digestion and prevents constipation
• Increases 'good cholesterol' level and reduces 'bad cholesterol' level
• Makes the immune system stronger
• Keeps skin clean and acne-free

3. Rice Milk

This thin and naturally sweetened milk substitute is prepared from brown rice grains and is considered as extremely healthy. You can also avail its vanilla-flavored version from your local supermarket.

Qualities:

• Has perfect proportions of protein and carbohydrate
• Great source of antioxidants, B-vitamins, vitamin D, calcium, etc.
• Gluten-free milk
• No saturated fat and cholesterol
• Very inexpensive

4. Almond Milk

This wonderfully tasty vegan milk is made by pulverizing soaked almonds thoroughly. The sweet and nutty flavor and high nutrition make it highly popular among the lovers of dairy-free milk substitutes.

Qualities:

• Fulfills 30% of our daily requirements of calcium
• Contains 25% of our daily requirements of vitamin D
• Very low in calories (one servings offers only 30 calories)
• Enriched with proteins, omega-6 fatty acids, antioxidants, dietary fibers, vitamin E, iron, zinc, magnesium, etc.
• No saturated fats, cholesterol and lactose
• Gives immunity a boost
• Makes teeth and bones stronger
• Helps in healthy digestion
• Perks up the skin texture by offering anti-aging benefits
• Encourages weight loss

5. Coconut Milk

It is another creamy, flavorful and nourishing alternative to regular milk, which is basically prepared by grating the ‘meaty’ flesh of ripe coconuts as well as extracting the concoction. You can get both ‘thick’ and ‘thin’ coconut milk for using as cooking ingredients and both of them are super tasty.

Qualities:

• High in dietary fibers, vitamin B-12, vitamin D, iron, calcium, manganese, copper, phosphorus, selenium, etc.
• Contains very less amount of sugar
• No fructose
• Helps in controlling blood sugar
• Strengthens both bones and blood vessels
• Prevents arthritis and osteoporosis
• Gives a feeling of fullness, thereby helping in weight loss

6. Cashew Milk

Cashew milk has a natural vanilla flavor and it is made of a smooth, rich blend of water and cashew nuts. It is an amazingly tasty, absolutely creamy and highly satisfying milk beverage.

Qualities:

• Amazing source of proteins, B-vitamins, calcium, magnesium, copper, etc.
• Very low fat content
• Free of cholesterol
• Increases the production of RBCs (Red Blood Corpuscles)
• Promotes healthy metabolism
• Helps in tissue and bone formations
• Keeps cholesterol levels under control
• Enhances cardiovascular health

7. Hazelnut Milk

Being derived from tasty and savory hazelnut, this milk tastes heavenly. It also has a nutty flavor, which is very much liked by people. Like all other vegan mil substitutes, it also has high nutrition value.

Qualities:

• High in healthy carbohydrates, vitamin B-12, vitamin D and calcium
• No saturated fats, lactose and cholesterol
• Takes care of bones and teeth
• Keeps you filled up for a long time

8. Hemp Milk

It is prepared from the seeds of hemp tree and is regarded as one of the healthiest choices for dairy-free milk. It is widely known for its ‘earthy’ taste and nutty flavor.

Qualities:

• Contains as much as 10 essential amino acids
• Has a perfect omega-6 fatty acids to omega-3 fatty acids ratio
• Loaded with soluble fibers, proteins, vitamin B1, vitamin B5, calcium, potassium,
• Aids in muscle building
• Provides immense energy

3 Simple and Easy Homemade Vegan Milk Recipes

What if you need a good vegan milk alternative for cooking or drinking but do not wish to purchase commercial one? Just DIY! We are giving you 3 easy, simple and fast vegan milk recipes to try at home:

(1) DIY: Homemade Almond Milk Recipe

• Best-quality raw almonds - 1 cup (organic is even better)
• Sea salt - 1 teaspoon
• Distilled water - 2 to 4 cups (as per your preference)

Method:

1. Take the almonds in a glass bowl and pour distilled water into it to soak them completely. Add sea salt to the water and cover the bowl with a lid. Keep it aside for nearly 12 hours.
2. Rinse the swelled up almonds well under running water to get rid of all sorts of enzyme inhibitors.
3. Now, put the almonds in a blender and pour rest of the distilled water into it. Blend thoroughly to mash all the nuts.
4. Strain it or not, your creamy almond milk is absolutely ready!

(2) DIY: Homemade Oat Milk Recipe

Ingredients:

• Oats - 1 cup
• Agave nectar or maple syrup - 1 to 2 tablespoons (as required for sweetness)
• Sea salt - (¼) teaspoon
• Distilled water - 3 cups

Method:

1. Rinse the oats well and drain them perfectly before placing them in a bowl.
2. Add water to it and cover with a lid. Let the oats soak for 8 to 10 hours so that they get softer as well as easier to process.
3. Once again, rinse the oats well and remove the oat slime completely.
4. Shift them to a blender and pour distilled water into it. Blend for some time and sieve it.
5. Press the semi-pulverized oats with the backside of a spoon in order to take the maximum milk out of it.
6. Add agave or syrup and sea salt to the concoction and your homemade oat ilk is here!

(3) DIY: Homemade Brown Rice Milk Recipe

Ingredients:

• Sea salt - 1 teaspoon
• Distilled water - 2 cups

Method:

1. Clean and wash brown rice properly and soak it in water for a couple of hours.
2. Cook it as usual.
3. Now, place the cooked brown rice inside a blender jar. Also, add sea salt and distilled water to it.
4. Blend until a smooth, thick milk is formed. Voila!

So, are you ready to switch to vegan milk alternatives?

References
http://vegetarian.about.com/od/vegetarianvegan101/f/MilkSubstitutes.htm
http://www.peta2.com/lifestyle/vegan-milk-101/
http://www.beautyglimpse.com/almond-milk-vs-regular-milk-which-is-healthier/

Authors Bio
Soni likes to share her knowledge with the world helping others to live a healthier life. She also loves to share her express her views and explore anything and everything that can feed her pen.