Dairy free chocolate?

[Habbibu]

Just trialing a birthday cake, as one of the party guests has a dairy allergy. Used pure spread, soya milk and cocoa, and all seemed well until I saw "may contain milk" on the tub of cocoa. I don't think she's super sensitive - school have never said anything, but what do people usually think about cocoa.? Which chocolate do people usually find good to use?

[MillyMollyMandy78]

Cocoa is dairy free. It says 'may contain milk' to cover themselves in event of any reaction/ allergy etc. whilst no milk is added to the cocoa it may be made in the same factiory as other products, so therfore there is a small chance of cross contamination

[Habbibu]

So do you reckon it's ok to use? Do most people with dairy allergies just use cocoa? I guess you'd have to be very sensitive to be affected by cross contamination. It's a really nice cake, so I do hope it's ok.

[MillyMollyMandy78]

Well I don't eat dairy from preference (vegan), but i would consider it fine to use it. Perhaps just check that the person is not very sensitive, but i can't see a problem with it. Once you start looking at labels it is surprising how often you see these kinds of warnings on all sorts of packaging, so that manufacturers cover themselves.

[inneedofrain]

PHONE HER MUM AND ASK!

DD is allergic to lactose, and a few other things and I know which products she is safe with (untill they change the ingredients, line etc) I can´t tell you if your cocoa would be approblem for any other child.

Her mum won´t mind in the least either way as she can sort of altenative if there is a problem

Well done for trying so hard, I would have been truely grateful

[Inkspellme]

I'd second the asking - as a mom to a lactose intolerant child the phone call would be very much appreciated.

Another thing to consider for birthday parties is the rice crispie cakes. I make them from the dark choc which is high in cocoa content and is easily tolerated by my DS. The cakes go down great with everyone including adults.

[Habbibu]

Thanks, all. I was trialling the cake for a friend, so I think she's sent a message to the mother today. It's quite a eye-opener! Same child will be invited to Dd's party next month. Would it be really rude to make df cupcakes as an alternative to main cake? I just had a plan to make Swiss meringue buttercream and I haven't seen many signs that that works well with df substitutions - it's temperamental at the best of times.

[DorisIsAPinkDragon]

DD is dairy free/ soya free and often comes home with the dairy cake which we then subsitute for dairy free cake/ choc so she doesn't miss out.

Personally dd would be chuffed to get any cake so a special one for her would not be a problem

[Habbibu]

Oh, good. I'll make it lovely - just "a labrador, mummy, a lovely golden fluffy labrador" is tough enough in cake form as it is. Thank you all cery much. Fwiw, I converted Nigella's buttermilk birthday cake, using pure spread, and souring alpro soya with cider vinegar. And it's really good - light and fluffy, with a great taste.

[DorisIsAPinkDragon]

ohh I never thought of souring stuff to make it dairy free (I just whizz over those receipes).