Navigating a dairy and soy free life had not been terribly difficult, at home. When Zoe started school suddenly, her allergy felt magnified. In the first couple weeks of school we were bombarded with two birthday parties in her class. She is aware of her allergy and she knows that she cannot have dairy.  But, she had always navigated party treats with me by her side. Offering her an alternative and reassuring her on what was safe for her to eat.  Her allergy had never made her feel much different. Now, she was in a class with new surroundings and suddenly, she was navigating it on her own. Worst, she was singled out as different. She cried and vowed she would never go to another birthday party again. She became paranoid that there would be a party at school when she arrived each morning. She was afraid she would be singled out again and she wouldn’t be able to enjoy the same things her classmates were. Honestly, at first, it seemed like an exaggerated reaction to me. But, I can understand and relate to that feeling of being left out. I knew it well when I felt new and vulnerable in my own elementary experience. I completely understood and I started to look for solutions. Maybe a treat she can have that wouldn’t make her feel any different. Just when I was looking for dairy and soy free treats, I came across Duff’s CakeMix collaboration with Erin McKenna, L.A.’s number one source for baked goods for those with dietary restrictions.

 “I truly believe that there are artists in all of us. Dietary restrictions shouldn’t stand in the way of artistic expression” – Duff Goldman

If you’ve never heard of Duff’s Cakemix, it is a revolutionary new cake creation shop. You can semi DIY cakes and cupcakes. Cakemix provides everything you need to bring your cake or cupcake vision to life. They let you focus on the most fun and creative part, the decorating! In the end, you take home confections that rival the ones on Duff’s Food Network hit series “Ace of Cakes”. Skipping all the hassle of baking and clean-up! Duff Goldman said, “I truly believe that there are artists in all of us. Dietary restrictions shouldn’t stand in the way of artistic expression”.  So, he enlisted the queen of dietary restricted baking, Erin McKenna, owner of Erin McKenna’s Bakery, to supply gluten free, vegan and soy free offerings. Duff said, “Everyone knows I’m a big believer in make it bigger, make it badder, make it awesome! Now guests at our studios can make it gluten-free, vegan and soy free.”

With Erin McKenna’s help, guests can choose from two gluten-free, vegan and soy-free options.

• Cake Kit – A two layer, 6”cake in Vanilla filled with vegan white frosting or chocolate cake filled with chocolate vegan frosting
• Cupcake Kit – A set of six cupcakes in vanilla or chocolate

Each kit comes with the choice of assorted fondant, goodies, and colorful vegan frosting to help you create the cake or cupcakes of your dreams!

The Cakemix experience is incredible. Vie easily created an amazing cake and the littles had a blast decorating their cupcakes and loading them with their favorite sprinkles and fondant shapes until their little hearts were content. But, the best part (aside from the part where I didn’t have to bake or clean up the mess!!) was the part where Zoe finished decorating her cupcake and she said, “Mama, can I EAT it???” my mama heart crunched, and I said, “YES! Baby you CAN! It’s for you! It won’t hurt your belly”. She giggled and she took a big bite of her cupcake. I fought tears at something so simple and so normal and now so accessible and easy for her.

Visit any Cakemix location, including West Hollywood, Tarzana, Pasadena, El Segundo, and soon, Irvine! Reservations and walk-ins welcome! They offer a variety of cake decorating classes and even host parties and corporate events. I think, it would be the sweetest thing for a spouse to take the kids and make a cake for a certain L.A. Mama’s birthday cake… WINK! WINK!

Thank you to Duff’s Cake Mix and Erin McKenna for hosting us! Vie said it was the best day of her life!

Vero X Mommy in L.A. Magazine