Whether you follow a plant-based diet or are dealing with a dairy intolerance, it can be helpful to know what dairy-free means and what makes dairy-free foods different from their dairy-filled counterparts.

It's an area we're well-versed in here at Lazy Day, having been baking and sharing free-from treats since 2006. And we've developed some super dairy-free recipes over the years using our expertise and passion for deliciously inclusive food.

So, we're going to give you a breakdown of what dairy-free really means and the ingredients that make our dairy-free snacks, well, dairy-free!

What Does Dairy-Free Mean?

In short, dairy-free means that a product doesn’t contain animal milk, milk products or milk by-products. This would include cow's milk, goat's milk and sheep's milk. 

    When it comes to dairy-free products, that means avoiding:

  • Milk
  • Butter
  • Cream
  • Cheese
  • Yoghurt
  • Ice Cream

Going dairy-free can be a matter of choice or necessity, and we find our customers are split between the two.

The reality of a dairy-free diet is that foods or ingredients made from animal milk are off the table. And while that may seem like a lot to avoid, there are plenty of delicious alternatives to dairy that can satisfy your cravings.

For people who suffer from a lactose intolerance or dairy allergy, switching to a dairy-free diet is a must. But for others, it may be a lifestyle choice based on ethical grounds, cultural beliefs, or simply because they don't like the taste!

It's estimated that there are 1.4 million vegans in the UK as of 2023, which is a huge increase from previous years. And according to the 2022 UK Free-From Foods Market Report, about 26% of UK households avoid dairy products for whatever reason.

Dairy-Free vs Lactose-Free

We can't talk about what dairy-free means without distinguishing the difference to lactose-free – but we'll keep it short and sweet.

Lactose is a type of sugar found in milk and dairy products, so lactose-free products are made without this sugar. However, they may still contain dairy as an ingredient.

This is clearly different from dairy-free, which avoids all forms of dairy, no matter if it contains lactose or not.

What Ingredients Are Used in Dairy-Free Snacks?

It's quite plain that dairy-free foods don't contain any of the above dairy products, so, instead, dairy-free alternatives are used in their place. They essentially mimic the job of the dairy ingredient without actually containing any of the real stuff.

Some of the most common dairy-free substitutes you'll find in dairy-free snacks include…

Dark Chocolate

That's right. Typically, dark chocolate is a dairy-free food because it naturally doesn't contain milk, so you'll find it used in lots of dairy-free cakes and bakes, like our Chocolate Celebration Cake (which is lactose-free, too).

Belgian dark chocolate is the most indulgent and tasty of the dark chocolates, providing a rich flavour to any treat. It's either incorporated into mixtures or used for decorative purposes on top of cakes, bakes, biscuits and more.

Milk-Free White Chocolate

Dairy-free white chocolate is another popular ingredient used in baking.

Once again, you'll tend to find it used throughout a mixture or melted on top of goods for added decoration – or as a cute face for our Mini Vic The Vegan Caterpillar Cakes.

Cocoa Butter

Cocoa butter can be used instead of dairy butter and milk, most notably to make chocolate. 

In our milk-free white chocolate and Belgian dark chocolate, you won’t find any dairy butter or milk – just cocoa butter, cocoa mass, sugar, and other tasty ingredients that make the smooth, chocolatey goodness.

Sunflower Oil

As a substitute for dairy butter, plant-based oils, like sunflower oil, are often used in dairy-free baking to bind ingredients together and add moisture.

That moist and fluffy texture you get with our Celebration Chocolate Cake? It's in part down to the sunflower oil we use.

Where Can You Buy Dairy-Free Cakes & Snacks?

As a result of the big increase in people going dairy-free, either by choice or because they're required to, dairy-free products are more widely available than ever before.

Almost all of the big supermarkets in the UK have a dedicated free-from aisle, where you'll find a range of dairy-free snacks and treats. This includes both sweet and savoury options – from biscuits and cakes to ready meals and sauces.

If it's sweet treats you're after, specifically dairy-free snacks and cakes, we're your one-stop shop! Our entire range is free from dairy (as well as gluten, eggs and nuts). Our goodies can be found in some of those big supermarkets, including:

  • Tesco

  • Sainsbury's

  • Co-op

  • Waitrose

  • Morrisons

  • Booths

  • Ocado

Or, you can order directly from us through our online shop and have these delicious dairy-free snacks delivered straight to your doorstep.

Summary: The Ins & Outs of Dairy-Free

So, dairy-free really does just mean it doesn't include dairy. And with more people than ever opting for a dairy-free lifestyle, there are plenty of delicious alternatives to choose from.

The ingredients used in our dairy-free snacks and treats may differ from traditional recipes, but we promise they're just as indulgent and tasty as their dairy-filled counterparts.

Head on over to our blog for more insights into our free-from range and for all our latest product news.

FAQs

  • If that butter is derived from animal milk, then yes – dairy-free means no butter. Instead, plant-based milks, oils and fats are used in replacement.

  • No, dairy-free means no animal milk products, so you may still find eggs in some dairy-free recipes. Here at Lazy Day, all our cakes and snacks are egg-free and dairy-free.

  • There currently isn’t any official certification or body that ‘stamps’ whether a product is dairy-free, but you’ll be able to distinguish from the ingredients if a food contains dairy or not. All of our products contain <5ppm for whole milk, which is the industry standard for milk-free foods.

  • If a product is labelled with a “may contain milk” statement, then it isn’t classed as dairy-free. This statement suggests that there’s a risk of detectable milk (and therefore dairy) in the food, so isn’t suitable for anyone suffering from a dairy allergy or intolerance.

  • No. Being vegan means you don’t consume (or possibly even use) products that contain animal-derived ingredients – and this includes animal milk and milk products, as well as eggs, honey, meat, and fish. Dairy-free just refers to not consuming dairy products. So, being dairy-free is a small part of being vegan.

  • Most regular cakes will contain dairy in the form of milk, butter and cream, so shouldn't be eaten if you're dairy-free. However, there are plenty of delicious dairy-free cake options available!