Namaste away from all the mystery ingredients in average boxed cake mix.

Seriously, when was the last time you glanced over the ingredient list for some of those brands? Seeing as I’m an absolute dessert fiend, it’s really important to me that I eat baked goods with ingredients I can pronounce. I’m not preaching that you have to be perfect every time you eat dessert, but being that it’s a huge part of my life (LOL, I talk about dessert like it’s a family member), I want to make sure I’m not going to turn into, like, an alien or something. Who knows what that crap does to your insides.

Thanks to Namaste Foods, this hungry vegan celiac can have her cupcakes and eat them too. And while my page may give off the appearance that I love to bake, that’s not always the truth. Most of the time, I’m throwing together something quick to bring to a friend’s house or a holiday party. And, in the name of transparency, I’m a damn millennial who craves instant gratification (@ me, bro).

The smaller the ingredient & directions list, the more likely I’ll be making it.

One, I don’t have the funds for all 32 organic ingredients that some infamous recipes call for. And two, ain’t nobody got time fo’ dat. It’s clear then, that when Namaste Foods sent me their boxed dessert mixes, I figuratively jumped for joy. I will be using this through the holiday season for all gatherings and events, and the best part is my friends and family will be patting me on the back for my culinary skills.

I found Namaste Foods when looking for a good vegan egg replacer. I know you can make a chia or flax egg, but sometimes I’m weary of how effective a replacement those actually are compared to its animal counterpart. With that being said, Namaste’s one-to-one egg replacer mix has absolutely changed my baking game.

Namaste Foods are free of the top 8 allergens, so all you moms and dads out there—I’ve just found your new fav school-safe brand.

And as for all you twenty-somethings, these vegan + gluten-free Christmas Spice Cupcakes are the perfect dessert to impress your co-workers with. Plus, there won’t be any accidental allergy poisonings among your colleagues—how tragic that would be.

Use this:

• 1 box of Namaste Spice Cake Mix

• 4 vegan eggs (I used Namaste Egg Replacer)

• 2/3 cup olive oil

• 3/4 cup water

• Optional: vanilla frosting (I used Simple Mills) + Christmas sprinkles

Do This:

1. Preheat oven to 350.

2. Make your vegan egg as directed. Next, add in the oil and water. Mix until well combined.

3. Pour in your cake mix. I added in half the package, mixed, then added in the rest. It will make a thick batter.

4. Line a cupcake pan with paper cups. Pour in mixture. I made 12 large cupcakes, but the batter can also fill 16 small-medium sized cupcakes.

5. Bake for roughly 25-30 minutes depending upon consistency preference, material of your cupcake tin, and oven size (smaller ovens tend to cook faster in my experience).

6. Spread on some vanilla frosting and don’t forget to lick the knife. *Carefully*