So, you got to that point. You're curious about being vegan and how the heck anyone lives without cheese, or for that matter, can cook anything. Does being vegan mean giving up all kinds of baked sweets and yummy desserts and comfort foods? Nah. I think fewer people would want to be vegan then. Instead of using eggs, butter, milk or honey, you can substitute for vegan options without sacrificing flavor, texture or desserts of any kind!

You can assume that the amounts for milk, butter and honey substitutions will be equivalent to what the recipe calls for unless otherwise noted. This is not a comprehensive list of all the substitutions you can use, just the ones that I think are the simplest to use and easiest to find. (Obviously, one benefit of vegan cooking is being cruelty-free, but it’s important to note that these substitutions eliminate cholesterol, and often lower fat and calories significantly.) It may take time to find the substitutions you like the most for a given baked item, but it’s very easy to get packaged mixes and just substitute the wet ingredients if they are non-vegan. However, when buying packaged mixes, be sure to look at the ingredients to be sure it doesn’t contain anything non-vegan. (All food items have a bolded “Contains” list at the bottom of the ingredients and that will always tell you if the item contains soy, milk, eggs, honey, wheat, common allergens, etc.)

Milk: You may have flavor preference depending on what you're making.

-- almond milk

-- soy milk

-- coconut milk

The list goes on: hemp, cashew, hazelnut, oat, they will all work just fine!

Note: If you need buttermilk, one cup of unsweetened soy milk with two tablespoons of lemon juice mixed will yield a suitable replacement for one cup of buttermilk.

For more on dairy and why vegans (and you should) avoid milk products, you can watch this short, five minute video on the industry. Except it's not just any video, it's a video that in five minutes can not only open your eyes and widen your perspective, but it is also one that could change your life if you allow it to.

Butter: Easy, but may depend on desired end result.

-- vegetable shortening (crunchy cookies, crumbly scones, pie crust) Note: Amount may need adjusting.

-- vegan margarine (Fairly good option all around.)

-- coconut oil (Best if it won't matter if it solidifies like brownies, but not necessarily ideal for scones.)

-- silken tofu (This is best in things like creamy sauces!)

Honey

-- maple syrup

-- agave nectar

-- simple syrup

It's honestly that simple and it's 1:1 substitution. If you want to know more about why you should avoid honey, you can watch documentaries about the plight of bees. There are some on Netflix including, "More Than Honey" and "Vanishing Bees".

Eggs: This one will depend on whether eggs are needed for leavening or binding in a given recipe, and may require some concocting.

Note: All substitutions in the following lists are amounts needed to replace one egg and will need to be multiplied if the recipe requires more eggs.

For leavening: (The end result will be fluffy and light like cupcakes.)

-- flax or chia seed egg: 1 tablespoon of either seed ground soaked in 3 tablespoons of water until gelatinous; approx: 5-15min

-- 2 tablespoons water + 2 tablespoons baking soda

For binding: (The end result will be dense like cookies or brownies.)

-- 1 over ripe banana

-- 1/4 cup applesauce or pumpkin puree

-- 1/4 cup flavorless vegetable oil

For something like a quiche or vegetable fried rice, tofu is a great option, too!

For information about why you should avoid eggs, including those labelled organic or free range, this is a really good video to watch. It is not graphic, though you do see an egg being laid. It is extremely informative and only 20 minutes of your time!

Oh, and back to cheese. Vegan cheese has been making leaps and bounds in the past few decades. Now many local supermarkets carry nondairy milks, yogurts, cheeses, butters, and more. You might be surprised just how real these products can and do taste! Everyone has their favorite, and I would recommend Daiya cheese (melts, stretches, tastes real, comes in blocks, different flavors and shreds). Perfect for quesadillas, pizzas, lasagnas, and the like -- with the plus of not harming any innocent lives while enjoying it.