I just hosted my daughter’s third birthday party and we had a couple of guests who couldn’t eat dairy. I wanted to use buttercream on the main cake so I made some extra cakes and treats to make sure there was something yummy and exciting for these kids to eat.

The dairy free options were ‘record’ cupcakes, Rice Krispy cake ‘microphones’ and chicken drumsticks. This party had a (loose) music theme.

‘Record’ Cupcakes

Yields 9 cupcakes

150g dairy free spread. I used dairy free flora

150g caster sugar

3 eggs, beaten

1/2 tsp vanilla essence

150g self raising flour

100g marshmallows

10g dairy free spread

Oreo biscuits

Method

Preheat the oven to 180 degrees.

Line a cupcake tin with paper or silicone cases.

Cream together the DF spread and sugar until pale and creamy.

Slowly add the beaten eggs, mixing well between additions.

Add the vanilla essence and mix well.

Gently fold in the flour.

Fill the prepared cases 3/4 full and bake for 20 minutes or until a skewer comes out clean.

Allow your cupcakes to cool until possible to handle. Cut the top so it’s as flat as possible.

Melt your marshmallows with the spread, this is best done on the stove but you can do it in the microwave in 20 second bursts.

Spoon the liquid marshmallow onto the top of the cupcake and spin to cover the top, gently press an Oreo in the middle while still hot so it sticks as it cools.

(It looks a bit like a vinyl record if you want to see it!)

Rice Krispy Cake ‘Microphones’

Yields 12 cones

300g marshmallows

45g dairy free spread (or 30g of veg oil in a pinch!)

170g Rice Krispies

Flat bottomed ice cream cones

Silver balls

Method

Melt together the marshmallows and DF spread over a medium-low heat. I always let the marshmallow colour on the bottom just a tiny bit at the end to give a caramely flavour.

Meanwhile, stand your cones in a cupcake tin (a mini cupcake tin works best).

As quickly as possible stir in the Rice Krispies.

Oil your hands with a flavourless oil (sunflower/veg) and push a small handful of mixture gently into a cone with a domed top. Roll the some in the silver balls to make the microphone effect.

Rolling in sprinkles would make it look like an ice cream, if you prefer.