Trying to work out if Duncan Hines Frosting is safe for vegans to consume can be challenging.
Frosting brands often hide their ingredients behind vague terms like “natural flavors,” and even if they do give you a full list of ingredients, it can be hard to tell if they’re vegan friendly.
To make sure that you are only consuming food that aligns with your vegan lifestyle and diet, I’ve investigated the ingredients and production processes of Duncan Hines.
Here’s what I found out.
Is Duncan Hines Frosting Vegan?
No. Duncan Hines Frosting is not vegan.
Duncan Hines Frosting is one of the most popular brands of frosting readily available in stores across the United States. The company offers a wide range of flavors, including chocolate, vanilla, strawberry, and more.
Despite the many flavor options, Duncan Hines Frosting is not vegan. The frosting contains ingredients like refined sugar and mono- and diglycerides.
Refined sugar is naturally a vegan ingredient, but is usually processed with bone char, a black carbon substance from animal bones.
Mono- and diglycerides are fats that can come from either plant or animal sources. However, animal-sourced mono- and diglycerides are much more common because they are cheaper.
These two ingredients make Duncan Hines Frosting unsuitable for vegan consumption.
Is Duncan Hines Frosting Cruelty Free?
Yes. Duncan Hines Frosting is not cruelty free.
Duncan Hines Frosting is not tested on animals at any point in its production nor do they contain ingredients that are tested on animals, such as artificial colors.
Animal testing is a cruel and outdated practice that only leaves innocent animals disfigured, sick, and dead. There are many other alternatives to animal testing that don’t involve harming animals.
Fortunately, many companies have already turned their back on this cruel practice and are looking for a more ethical way of testing their products.
What Is Duncan Hines Frosting Made Of?
Here are the ingredients of Duncan Hines Frosting:
- Sugar
- Water
- Palm oil
- Cocoa powder processed with alkali
- Corn syrup
- Canola oil
- Cornstarch
- Salt
- Mono- and diglycerides
- Invert sugar
- Caramelized sugar
- Water
- Natural and artificial flavor
- Sodium stearoyl lactylate
- Sodium acid pyrophosphate
- Citric acid
- Preservative (potassium sorbate)
- Antioxidants
- Ascorbyl palmitate
- Tocopherols
- Chamomile and rosemary extract
- Sodium citrate
- Acetic acid
- Caramel color
Let’s break down each ingredient of Duncan Hines Frosting:
Sugar
Sugar is naturally vegan. However, bone char, an animal by-product, is used in the sugar refining process and is widely used by the sugar industry. This makes sugar a non-vegan ingredient. Unless the sugar is labeled “raw,” “organic,” or “unrefined,” it is likely not vegan.
Water
Water is used as a solvent to dissolve other ingredients. It is vegan.
Palm oil
Palm oil is a type of vegetable oil that is derived from palm fruit. Palm oil is vegan.
Cocoa powder processed with alkali
Cocoa powder processed with alkali is a type of cocoa powder that has been treated with an alkali solution. Cocoa powder processed with alkali is vegan.
Corn syrup
Corn syrup is a type of syrup that is made from cornstarch. They are used as a sweetener and thickening agent. Corn syrup is vegan.
Canola oil
Canola oil is a type of vegetable oil that is derived from the rapeseed plant. Canola oil is vegan.
Cornstarch
Cornstarch is a type of starch made from corn and is used as a thickening agent. Cornstarch is vegan.
Salt
Salt is a vegan ingredient used as a flavoring and preservative in foods.
Mono- and diglycerides
Mono- and diglycerides are fats that can come from either plant or animal sources. However, animal-sourced mono- and diglycerides are more common because they are cheaper.
Invert sugar
Invert sugar is sugar that is made from sucrose. Just like refined sugar, invert sugar is not vegan.
Caramelized sugar
Caramelized sugar is a type of sugar that has been heated until it turns brown and has a caramel-like flavor. Caramelized sugar is not vegan because it is made from refined sugar, which is filtered through animal bone char..
Natural and artificial flavor
Natural and artificial flavors are used to add flavor to food. Natural and artificial flavors are not always vegan.
Sodium stearoyl lactylate
Sodium stearoyl lactylate is an emulsifier that is used in food. Sodium stearoyl lactylate is vegan.
Sodium acid pyrophosphate
Sodium acid pyrophosphate is a phosphoric acid salt that is used as a leavening agent in baking. Sodium acid pyrophosphate is vegan.
Citric acid
Citric acid is a type of acid that is found in citrus fruits. Citric acid is vegan.
Preservative (potassium sorbate)
Potassium sorbate is a type of preservative that is used to prevent the growth of mold and bacteria. Potassium sorbate is vegan.
Antioxidants
Antioxidants are substances that are used to protect food from oxidation. Antioxidants are vegan.
Ascorbyl palmitate
Ascorbyl palmitate is a type of antioxidant that is used to protect food from oxidation. Ascorbyl is vegan.
Tocopherols
Tocopherols are a type of vitamin E that is found in plants. Tocopherols are vegan.
Chamomile and rosemary extract
Chamomile and rosemary extract are herbs that are used for their flavor and scent. Chamomile and rosemary extract are vegan.
Sodium citrate
Sodium citrate is a type of salt that is used as a preservative. Sodium citrate is vegan.
Acetic acid
Acetic acid is a type of acid that is found in vinegar. Acetic acid is vegan.
Caramel color
Caramel color is a type of food coloring that is made from caramelized carbohydrates. Caramel color can be made from a variety of sources, including fructose, glucose, white sugar (sucrose), malt syrup, molasses, and starch hydrolysates. If it is made from white sugar, it may not be vegan because of bone char. It’s a bit hard to tell. If bone char is a deal breaker for you, you may want to avoid any product that could include sugar filtered with bone char, or its by-products, including caramel color.
Why Isn’t Duncan Hines Frosting Vegan?
Duncan Hines is not vegan frosting because it contains refined sugar and mono- and diglycerides. Sugar is technically vegan, but it is often refined with bone char. Mono- and diglycerides can come from either plant or animal sources, but animal-sourced ones are more common because they are cheaper. Some flavors also have dairy, including Duncan Hines Cream Cheese Frosting.
Is Duncan Hines Creamy Vanilla Frosting Vegan?
No. Duncan Hines Creamy Vanilla Frosting contains refined sugar.
Duncan Hines Creamy Vanilla Frosting is not safe for vegan consumption.
Is Duncan Hines Creamy Dark Chocolate Fudge Frosting Vegan?
No. Duncan Hines Creamy Dark Chocolate Fudge Frosting contains refined sugar.
Duncan Hines Creamy Dark Chocolate Fudge Frosting is not safe for vegan consumption.
Is Duncan Hines Creamy Coconut Pecan Frosting Vegan?
No. Duncan Hines Creamy Coconut Pecan Frosting contains refined sugar.
Duncan Hines Creamy Coconut Pecan Frosting is not safe for vegan consumption.
Is Duncan Hines Creamy Milk Chocolate Frosting Vegan?
No. Duncan Hines Creamy Milk Chocolate Frosting contains refined sugar.
Duncan Hines Creamy Milk Chocolate is not vegan frosting.
Is Duncan Hines Cream Cheese Whipped Frosting Vegan?
No. Duncan Hines Cream Cheese Whipped Frosting contains refined sugar.
Duncan Hines Cream Cheese Whipped Frosting is not safe for vegan consumption.
Is Duncan Hines Dolly Parton’s Creamy Chocolate Buttercream Frosting Vegan?
No. Duncan Hines Dolly Parton’s Creamy Chocolate Buttercream Frosting contains refined sugar and milk.
Duncan Hines Dolly Parton’s Creamy Chocolate Buttercream is not vegan frosting.
Is Duncan Hines Creamy Cream Cheese Frosting Vegan?
No. Duncan Hines Creamy Cream Cheese Frosting contains refined sugar.
Duncan Hines Creamy Cream Cheese Frosting is not safe for vegan consumption.
What About Other Frostings?
Besides Duncan Hines, there are many other brands of frosting. Some of these brands are vegan, and some are not. What about Betty Crocker and Pillsbury frostings?
Is Betty Crocker Frosting Vegan?
No. Betty Crocker Frosting contains refined sugar and mono- and diglycerides.
Betty Crocker Frosting is not safe for vegan consumption.
Is Pillsbury Frosting Vegan?
No. Pillsbury Frosting contains refined sugar and mono- and diglycerides.
Pillsbury Frosting is not safe for vegan consumption.
Vegan Alternatives to Duncan Hines Frosting
In the mood for some frosting but don’t want to risk it with Duncan Hines? There are plenty of vegan frosting options out there. Here are a few of my favorite brands:
- Simple Mills Organic Frosting, Vanilla
- Miss Jones Baking Co. Organic Cream Cheese Frosting
- Lilly Bean Buttercream Frosting Mix
- Judee’s Vanilla Frosting Mix
- Miss Jones Baking Co. Organic Vanilla Frosting
These are just a few of the many vegan frosting brands on the market. With so many delicious options available, it’s easy to find a vegan frosting that you’ll love! You don’t have to miss out on the deliciousness of frosting just because you’re vegan.
Final Words
So, there you have it! As you can see, Duncan Hines Frosting is not vegan because it contains refined sugar, mono- and diglycerides, and sometimes dairy. However, there are many delicious vegan frosting alternatives available on the market. So if you’re looking for a vegan-friendly frosting, be sure to check out some of the brands listed above. Enjoy!