Nut free cupcakes

[waverly]

One of our guests is allergic to nuts so I am looking for large nut free cupcakes. All I could find were small or vegan/ gluten free.

Just want regular nut free large cupcakes? Any ideas where I could find that. If I travel I have access to about 8 different grocery stores Midwest chains etc.

[InBetweenDays]

I didn't think cupcakes typically had nuts in them unless it was specific to that flavor (like walnuts in carrot cake flavor)? Isn't it usually just cake and frosting ingredients?

Do you have any local cupcake specialty stores?

[thebreakfastclub]

I think you're going to need to call your local stores.

[rhian]

I assume you're looking for cupcakes that don't include a "may contain" or "produced in a facility" warning? I'd check Whole Foods if you have one, they likely have some packaged nut free cupcakes (I don't think their bakery products are nut free).

Unfortunately we've found that in trying to avoid one allergen, you sometimes have to go with products that also avoid others you can eat, like the vegan and gluten free products. But fortunately, these products have improved a lot in the last several years!

[waverly]

Yes I was looking for no cross contamination. I may reach out to the mom to see if regular cupcakes are OK, but I wanted to do a little legwork first because I know peanut allergies are usually more severe.

[julygal]

My experience with a kid allergic to tree nuts, is it is hard. Almost every bakery will have a disclaimer that the product is nut free but not the kitchen. A few products like “two bite cupcakes” advertise as nut free, but they are small. My daughter would be happy with mini cupcakes and the fact that her allergy was taken into consideration. Also, consider speaking to the guest, or their parent if a minor, as they may know of something safe to serve. For instance, our store bakery says “may contain” but she has never reacted to their cakes and we are comfortable with the basic vanilla or chocolate from there.

[waverly]

Jan 3, 2024 18:30:46 GMT -5 julygal said:

My experience with a kid allergic to tree nuts, is it is hard. Almost every bakery will have a disclaimer that the product is nut free but not the kitchen. A few products like “two bite cupcakes” advertise as nut free, but they are small. My daughter would be happy with mini cupcakes and the fact that her allergy was taken into consideration. Also, consider speaking to the guest, or their parent if a minor, as they may know of something safe to serve. For instance, our store bakery says “may contain” but she has never reacted to their cakes and we are comfortable with the basic vanilla or chocolate from there.

Yeah I was wondering if maybe I buy a package of nut free and then a few packages of regular cupcakes. I don’t want to single her out, but I think it’s the only way to achieve both goals.

[InBetweenDays]

Jan 3, 2024 18:28:16 GMT -5 waverly said:

Yes I was looking for no cross contamination. I may reach out to the mom to see if regular cupcakes are OK, but I wanted to do a little legwork first because I know peanut allergies are usually more severe.

Yeah, i would talk to the parent to see how severe the allergy is. We have several friends with various tree/peanut allergies and none have issues with cross contamination.

[AdaraMarie]

The mini ones are easiest to find and I can get them almost anywhere.
The regular size ones I've found are from the brand Kimberley's Bakeshoppe. They are at my Kroger owned chain store. I think I have seen them at Target too. Usually these are individually packed but sometimes in a 4 pack. The have some that are labeled nut free but I think they have others that aren't.
Another brand I've gotten before when I need gluten free and nut free is Just Desserts which I think I have seen at the same two stores.

[Poppy]

My kid has a peanut allergy and he's eaten regular grocery store cupcakes at loads of birthday parties. (Of course, if they were like PB & chocolate cupcakes we'd avoid them and maybe even leave.) You may ask the parents what they are comfortable with.

I actually don't know where to find "nut free" cupcakes because we don't bother! But I bet Whole Foods would have some. I feel like Target and Kroger might have something like that, too.

[Jalapeñomel]

Every grocery store by me has a vegan/dairy/nut free option for cupcakes and cakes in the bakery.

[rhian]

Jan 3, 2024 18:28:16 GMT -5 waverly said:

I know peanut allergies are usually more severe.

This actually isn't true! It's good of you to default to avoiding cross contamination if you don't know for any allergy, but nut allergies are not more likely to be severe. I agree with the suggestion to check with the parent, they can likely tell you brands that work for their kid.

[felicity]

Look for “school safe” cupcakes. I’ve never purchased these since DS is also allergic to egg, but I’ve seen them at a lot of stores. They are baked in a nut free facility.

[moonpie]

I recently bought some at the meijer bakery section for our school holiday parties. They came in one of those plastic trays and had a sticker on the front that showed them as produced in a peanut free and tree nut free facility.

[meowmaps]

I would check with the mom. My youngest has peanut and tree nut allergies and I generally bring a treat or backup in case I can’t check ingredients and/or if it’s been processed in a facility with nuts. At a recent birthday party my friend checked with me in advance and was able to get mini cupcakes from Walmart that fit the bill. We’re also pretty fortunate and have a local allergen-free bakery.

[twinmomma]

As an allergen parent, it's honestly usually easier for us to just bring our own cupcake for DS. Then we don't have to put the pressure on another parent to get the right thing and worry about it. We have a stash in the freezer for these exact situations. I'd check with the mom and see what she wants you to do. I always feel worse when someone tries really hard to find the right thing, but we get there and DS still can't eat it.

[noodleoo]

waverly, I'd ask the mom what they prefer. Our neighbor has a severe peanut allergy and she wouldn't eat a store bought cupcake even if it is said it was ok, they don't trust it. She always brings her own treat for parties and is used to it. My kid has a tree nut allergy and I'm usually ok with store bakery cupcakes.

Other ideas: Lofthouse cookies with icing are made in an allergy safe factory. I've also seen a lot of sweets labeled as peanut/tree nut free at Walmart.

[Susie]

There's one local bakery in our area that is completely nut free, and all the nut allergy families swear by it.  So that's where I'd go, because a parent would see the box and know it's safe.  

Obviously that doesn't help you because you aren't local to me, but the idea of polling your local friends who share that concern still applies.  I know so many people who have a family member with a nut allergy and I'm betting you probably do too.  

[waverly]

Adding to this, DD wants doughnuts now. Ugh ha ha.

Anyway it looks like Dunkin Doughnuts are fine but I’ll double check with mom and check out the cookie option posted here also.

[genet313]

Livnutfree is a totally nut free bakery and ships across US. Cupcakes may be tough but worth asking. Their crumb cake is delicious and freezes well.

livnutfree.com/

[kittywalker]

My son has severe anaphylactic peanut allergies and I would feel so bad if a mom went out of her way to find nut free cupcakes because I wouldn't let him eat them. You really can't trust other people (not you - just people in general) to have a brain and keep your kid safe. Plus, I had to teach my son from  a very young age not to trust others when it comes to food, he has to read the label himself and rely on himself or us. He brings his own treat (was usually a Rice Krispie treat) to parties and has always been fine. I know it doesn't sound like a treat - Rice Krispie treats - but he is much happier knowing he's not going to end up in the ER.

[BeagleMama]

+1 for check with the parent. It's nice to offer but I'll often just send my child with a nut-free/I know is ok treat and they're fine with that.