A former co-worker of mine asked me to make a cake for her mom's birthday tomorrow. Fine (she asked last week) I had time, okay. Then she says "oh, do you put milk in your frosting because mom's lactose intolerant." That's fine, I can do it without milk.

Fast forward to 5:00 today - after I had baked and crumb coated the french vanilla cake. I go through a mental checklist of ingredients - just to make sure that there is no lactose in the cake. FRICK FRICK FRICK!!! The cake mix has milk in it! She didn't ASK about the cake!!!! So I called her and asked about the milk in the cake. She wasn't sure if it would bother her mom's stomach or not - so I search for a decent dairy free recipe for a vanilla cake. Found one here that I could do without milk and had to use my son's earth balance "butter". Okay - fine. 10:30 and I'm still baking.....I don't like feeling rushed.....I don't like feeling like I'm not going to give her my "normal" tried and trusted cake. Afraid she's not gonna like it. My husband and I tried a cupcake with the same frosting I'm going to use and he said it tasted just fine. But not the same as my regular.

I feel my first real disaster (a cake that is actually FOR somebody and not just practice!) coming up! And I don't know if I should say something to her in the morning when I deliver, or if I should just wait it out to see if she says anything! BOOOO!!!!!!

I wouldnt say anything, just deliver, wish a happy birthday and go.

The thing is, if we are not used to baking lactose, gluten, egg, etc free then of course it will taste different to us.

I was asked to do a gluten free carrot cake. I thought it tasted like it had sand in it, due to the fact that rice flour is not a silky as normal flour. But the girl loved it, said it was the best she ever had and has been ordering on a regular basis for 3 years now!

DH yellow cake mix is lactose free. I have a lactose intolerant friend and found that out on Wilton's forum

I agree with Yummymummy. When people aren't used to eating food prepared one way, it tastes terrible. Chances are good that they will like it though. Don't say anything. If there is a problem, they will let you know and then you can go from there.

If you are baking with cake mixes you HAVE to check the ingredients, especially for a "special" order for a health issue.

I bake from scratch but check the list of ANY ingredients I'm adding in.

I also tell my clients that I am using pans,mixing bowls,etc that have come into contact with nuts, milk..etc.

I am a fanatic about washing all of my equipemtn but still give that disclaimer.

In this "sue them" world you just can't be too careful.

Awww, I'm sure it came out fine! If your hubby says it tasted fine, then don't sweat it too much. I'm sure your friend's mom is used to having food that doesn't taste quite that normal because of her dietary restriction and the fact that you took her needs into consideration is going to say a lot. I am horribly allergic to mustard and believe me, when my husband's family goes out of their way to make a dish that won't kill me, it means the world to me even if it tastes terrible Take a deep breath and if you feel you need to say something, let her know that this was your first time in making a lactose free cake and that you would appreciate any feedback from them. And relax, every baker has a bad day every once in awhile...while you may think this is one of them, I'd be willing to bet it's not as bad as you think. Let us know how it came out!

Well, I delivered it this morning and she loved it!

I actually have to do GFCF all the time for my son, but just removing the milk part threw me for a loop since lactose intolerant and casein intolerant are very different. Mostly it was because she asked if I put milk in my frosting and didn't ask about the actual CAKE part. I had to think of that one on my own - just too bad I didn't think of it quicker! Know what I mean?

When I delivered it she said she found out that regular cake mix would've been fine. I'm thinking her mom isn't as lactose intolerant as she thought! The fact that she didn't know for sure if it would bug her mom's tummy probably should've told me something!

I did tell her that I ended up using a new recipe, but that hubby and I taste-tested it and it tasted good to us. I asked her to give me a call after the party this afternoon to let me know how the new flavor went over.

She said this is the only part about her mom's party so far that seems to be going right so she is super excited and was very happy with it as far as looks go. I know her well enough to know that she's super honest so if there's a problem she'll definitely let me know!

Here's the pic of the cake!

Cute cake. What an idea! I love the little mirror. HAHAHA.

Awesome! Glad it turned out ok. You are so right about lactose intolerant and casein intolerant being different...my friend just discovered her son is casein intolerant and that's thrown all of us for a loop since she had to forgo ALL dairy for a few weeks to figure it out (she was breastfeeding him). My mum is also lactose intolerant but we've discovered that when it's baked it doesn't bother her, so maybe the baking process breaks down the lactose?

Your cake is so adorable! See, all that worryin' for nothing

Yes its a pain when you go to bake and someone is lactose intol. My Father in law is intolerant. The best part is he is a dairy farmer.
It kills me everytime he asks for a cake. I have to change my whole style just for him. I know the stress it puts you in.
glad to see your turned out good.

The cake looks totally great! Love the design! I also love how you used that border, very unique.

My brother and mother are both lactose intolerant but they don't however get any problems from eating baked goods with milk in it.