Cooking vegan doesn't always mean abandoning all your favorite old recipes. In some cases you'll be able to replace milk with soy milk, butter with margarine, and eggs with Ener-g Egg replacer, or banana. (Use one banana per egg called for in recipe.)

It's also possible to find vegan cake mixes.

P.E.T.A., the organization famous for protecting animals and animal rights, keeps a list of vegan convenience foods on its website under the name “Accidentally Vegan.” On this list you will find a few cake mixes, pudding mixes, and prepared frosting that are readily available in most groceries and completely vegan. Unexpected listings include: