Is Bob's Red Mill Gluten Free Chocolate Cake Mix Dairy Free? An Expert Guide

December 26, 2025 •

4 min read

According to Bob's Red Mill, all of their gluten-free baking mixes, including their gluten-free chocolate cake mix, are dairy-free by ingredients. This provides a great starting point for anyone looking to bake a delicious chocolate cake without milk products, but successful preparation requires a few key substitutions.

Quick Summary

The Bob's Red Mill gluten free chocolate cake mix is dairy-free by ingredients and vegan, but the standard preparation requires dairy products. Non-dairy milk and egg alternatives can be used to make a finished cake that is completely dairy-free and vegan, with slight adjustments for best results.

Key Points

Dairy-Free by Ingredients: The dry mix itself is certified dairy-free, vegan, and Kosher Parve.
Substitutions Needed: Standard package instructions require milk and eggs, which must be substituted with non-dairy alternatives to make a dairy-free or vegan cake.
Effective Alternatives: Popular substitutes include oat milk, soy milk, almond milk, applesauce, and commercial egg replacers.
Facility Information: For severe allergies, be aware that while the dry mix is made in a dedicated gluten-free facility, Bob's Red Mill handles other allergens, and some facilities may handle dairy.
Tips for Best Texture: To prevent a dry cake, avoid overbaking and use high-quality non-dairy substitutes, especially for fat.

Yes, The Dry Mix Is Dairy-Free (and Vegan)

For anyone concerned with dairy ingredients, the good news is that the Bob's Red Mill Gluten Free Chocolate Cake Mix is naturally dairy-free and vegan. The mix's ingredients include a gluten-free flour blend (sweet white rice flour, whole grain brown rice flour, potato starch, whole grain sorghum flour, tapioca flour, xanthan gum), cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and natural vanilla flavor. A review from Go Dairy Free confirms that the mixes are dairy-free and Kosher Parve, a kosher certification indicating that the product contains no meat or dairy ingredients and is processed on equipment that does not handle meat or dairy.

Making the Cake Dairy-Free During Preparation

While the dry mix itself is free of milk, the instructions on the package require adding wet ingredients that can contain dairy, such as milk. To create a finished cake that is completely dairy-free, you will need to substitute these ingredients with suitable alternatives. The great news is that many people have successfully made this swap without sacrificing taste or texture.

Milk and Egg Substitutions

For a moist and delicious dairy-free cake, the right substitutions are key. Here are some options:

Milk: Any non-dairy milk alternative can be used in place of dairy milk. Popular choices that work well include oat milk, soy milk, and almond milk. Users have noted success with these options, resulting in a cake with a great texture.
Eggs: The recipe also calls for eggs, which can be replaced with several vegan-friendly alternatives. Some successful options include applesauce, Ener-G egg replacer, and a flax egg. One Reddit user found success with Ener-G egg replacer and aquafaba, which produced a moist cake with a good crumb.
Fat: If the recipe calls for butter or margarine, opt for a high-quality vegan butter or shortening to ensure the cake remains dairy-free.

Important Information for Severe Dairy Allergies

For individuals with severe dairy allergies, it is crucial to consider the potential for cross-contamination. While the dry mix is formulated without dairy ingredients, Bob's Red Mill's Decadent Chocolate Cake Mix (a similar but distinct product) page mentions it is handled in a facility that also handles dairy. However, it is also stated that some Bob's Red Mill mixes are manufactured in a dedicated gluten-free facility, which is also stated to be dairy-free. Bob's Red Mill implements strict allergen control procedures, but contacting customer service for the most up-to-date information on the specific product and lot is the safest option for those with severe sensitivities.

Baking Modification Comparison

To ensure a successful bake, here is a quick comparison of the ingredients for a standard preparation versus a dairy-free and vegan preparation.


Ingredient	Standard Preparation	Dairy-Free & Vegan Preparation
Cake Mix	Bob's Red Mill GF Chocolate Cake Mix	Bob's Red Mill GF Chocolate Cake Mix
Eggs	2 large eggs	Applesauce, flax egg, or other commercial egg replacer
Milk	2/3 cup milk	2/3 cup non-dairy milk (oat, almond, soy)
Fat	1/3 cup oil	1/3 cup oil or melted vegan butter
Boiling Water	2/3 cup boiling water	2/3 cup boiling water
Frosting	Buttercream frosting (dairy)	Vegan buttercream (using vegan butter or Earth Balance)

Tips for a Great Dairy-Free Cake

Do Not Overbake: Many gluten-free and dairy-free cakes can become dry if overbaked. Start checking for doneness a few minutes early. The best test is when a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs attached.
Don't Skimp on Substitutes: Using high-quality non-dairy alternatives for milk and fat can significantly impact the final texture and flavor. Brands like Earth Balance or other vegan buttery spreads are excellent for richness.
Additions: For an extra decadent cake, try adding dairy-free chocolate chips to the batter or topping with a rich chocolate ganache made with dairy-free chocolate and coconut milk.
Patience: As with any baking project, allowing the cake to cool completely before frosting is essential. This is especially true for gluten-free cakes, which are more delicate and prone to crumbling.

Conclusion

In summary, the dry mix of Bob's Red Mill Gluten Free Chocolate Cake Mix is absolutely dairy-free and vegan. It's a fantastic foundation for baking a delicious, allergy-friendly dessert. By carefully substituting the milk and eggs called for in the package recipe with non-dairy alternatives, you can create a finished cake that meets your dietary needs without compromising on flavor or texture. Remember to consider cross-contamination if you have a severe dairy allergy and to follow baking tips for the best possible results. For more product details, you can always visit the official Bob's Red Mill website at www.bobsredmill.com.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, the dry cake mix itself is vegan, containing no animal products, dairy, or eggs. To make the finished cake vegan, you must use non-dairy and egg-free substitutes for the wet ingredients specified in the preparation instructions.

You can use any non-dairy milk alternative, such as oat milk, almond milk, or soy milk. Many users have reported successful results with these options, achieving a moist and tasty cake.

Yes, you can substitute the eggs with a suitable egg replacer. Successful options include applesauce, Ener-G egg replacer, and flax eggs. Keep in mind that some egg replacers might slightly alter the texture.

For those with severe dairy allergies, while Bob's Red Mill has dedicated gluten-free facilities, some of these facilities may also handle dairy ingredients. Bob's Red Mill implements robust allergen control procedures, but it is always recommended to contact their customer service directly for specific product and lot information if you have a severe allergy.

Based on user reviews, the dairy-free version can be just as delicious, with many people commenting on the rich flavor and moist texture. Using quality substitutes and following baking tips, like avoiding overbaking, is key to achieving the best results.

A vegan buttercream made with vegan butter alternatives or a chocolate ganache using dairy-free chocolate and coconut milk are excellent choices. Many users have found great success with these options.

Kosher Pareve is a kosher designation indicating that a product contains no meat or dairy ingredients and is processed on equipment that does not handle meat or dairy. The Bob's Red Mill gluten-free cake mixes hold this certification.