Are Tootsie Rolls Vegan?

Have you ever heard of or tasted tootsie rolls vegan? If not, then you are missing out on a delicious treat! These little chewy treats have been around for over 100 years and are still one of the most popular candies in America today.

They are made with all-natural ingredients and contain no animal products at all, such as corn syrup, palm oil, refined cane sugar, and more. So if you love tootsie rolls but want them to be vegan, this is your lucky day!

If you are wondering if tootsie rolls are gluten-free, they are! But don’t worry; we will show you how to make these tasty treats without wheat flour and corn syrup. You can also use cornstarch instead of tapioca starch.

Ingredients

To make vegan tootsie rolls, you need the following:

1 cup shortening (vegan butter)

2 cups granulated sugar

4 eggs

3/4 cup water

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 tablespoon vinegar

1/2 cup molasses

1/2 cup vegetable oil

1/2 cup tapioca starch

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Line two cookie sheets with parchment paper.

2. In a large bowl, cream, shortening, and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Stir in water, vanilla, baking soda, salt, vinegar, molasses, and oil. Mix well.

3. Sift tapioca starch into the mixture; mix well. Drop by heaping tablespoons onto the prepared cookie sheet. Bake for about 12 minutes or until golden brown. Cool completely before removing from the pan. Store in an airtight container for up to 2 weeks. Makes approximately four dozen tootsie rolls.

Tootsie Rolls Non-vegan Ingredients

If you want a non-vegan version of tootsie pops, here is what you will need:

Skim Milk

Skim milk can be used as an egg substitute in many recipes. It is consistent with whole eggs and doesn’t curdle when cooked. The only problem with condensed skim milk is that it does not whip very well. This means you will have to beat the fat content down more than usual. You may also use cow milk, plain condensed milk, or ot

Whey

Whey is another excellent ingredient that can be used as an alternative to eggs. Whey protein powder is often used in smoothies because it adds a creamy texture. It’s also a good source of protein and calcium.

Sodium Caseinate

Sodium caseinate is a dairy product made from sodium chloride and casein. Sodium caseinate helps stabilize emulsions and gives baked goods a pleasant chewiness. It is commonly used in ice cream and cheese making.

Heavy Cream

Heavy cream is also known as whipping cream. It contains a lot of fat and therefore makes a great replacement for regular milk in some recipes.

Tootsie Rolls Controversial Ingredients

Tootsie fruit chews also contain gelatin which comes from the bones of pigs. Gelatin is derived from collagen, which is found in connective tissue. Collagen is a major component of skin, bone, cartilage, tendons, ligaments, blood vessels, and other tissues.

Here are some other problematic ingredients in tootsie pops:

Sugar

As mentioned above, non-vegan sugars are an essential ingredient in tootsie pops and is also one of the most questionable ingredients. Sugar is added to give the cookies their chewy texture, and you can also use powdered sugar in case.

However, some people do not like the taste of sugar nor like getting a big serving of sugars. For those individuals, you may want to try using honey instead. Honey is sweeter than refined white sugar and has a milder flavor.

Soybean Oil

Soybean is also an ingredient in tootsie fruit chews dough. Soybean oil is extracted from soybeans. Soybean oil is high in monounsaturated fats and low in saturated fats. Monounsaturated fats help lower cholesterol levels and reduce the risk of heart disease.

Moreover, soybean is a healthy cooking oil because it is rich in omega-3 fatty acids. Omega 3 fatty acids are essential nutrients our bodies cannot produce independently. They must be obtained through diet.

Artificial Flavorings And Colorings

Another controversial ingredient in tootsie fruit chews is artificial flavors and colorings. Artificial flavors and colorings are synthetic chemicals that mimic natural flavors and colors. Some people believe these additives are harmful to health. Others argue that they add variety to foods and make them more appealing.

The FDA regulates food additives and requires manufacturers to prove that any new chemical compound is safe before adding it to food products. In addition, the agency tests all food additives to ensure that they meet safety standards.

The FDA maintains a list of approved foodstuffs additives at www.fda.gov/Food/IngredientsPackagingLabeling/ApprovedFoodAdditives/. You can find this information by searching “approved” or “list.”

FAQs

Are Tootsie Rolls Dairy Free?

Some brands of tootsie fruit chew ingredients are labeled as being dairy free. These include Keebler brand tootsie roll since it also has artificial colors but natural flavors. Other brands of tootsie roll are not marked as dairy-free but are still suitable for vegans.

Are Tootsie Rolls Gluten Free?

Yes, most brands of tootsie pops are halal and gluten-free. The only exception is Keebler brand tootsies, among other brands in the tootsie roll industries. To make gluten-free tootsie bunch pops, use rice flour instead of wheat flour.

Here is a recipe you can use to make your homemade tootsie rolls halal:

Homemade Tootsie Roll Recipe

1 cup brown rice flour

½ teaspoon baking soda

¼ teaspoon salt

2 tablespoons granulated sugar or any type of sugar of your choice (sugar brands)

3 tablespoons vegetable shortening

⅓ cup water

Mix dry central ingredients until well combined. Add shortening and mix with your hands until the mixture resembles a coarse meal. Slowly pour in water while mixing with your hands. The dough will be sticky. Let sit for 5 minutes. Roll into balls about 1 inch wide. Place on cookie sheet lined with parchment paper. Bake at 350 degrees F for 10-12 minutes. Cool completely before storing in an airtight container.

Are Tootsie Rolls Kosher?

Kosher is Jewish dietary law. Most kosher products are prepared according to strict guidelines set forth by rabbis. Here is a recipe and ingredient list for making Kosher tootsie pops:

Kosher Tootsie Pops

1 cup white rice flour

½ teaspoon salt

¼ teaspoon baking powder

1 tablespoon sugar

3 tablespoons margarine

Mix dry current ingredients until well blended. Cut in margarine using two knives or a pastry blender. Shape dough into small balls. Flatten each ball slightly. Bake at 400 degrees F for 12-15 minutes. Makes approximately 20 rolls.

Conclusion

Tootsie pops are delicious treats that everyone should enjoy. If you’re looking for a healthier option, you might consider trying out these vegan tootsie pops. You’ll find them easy to make, and they won’t disappoint!